How do identify what's bent?

[Rubberdown]

How do I identify what's bent?

Long story short, my wife's 4Runner and a hole banged and something on the left front of the 4Runner is bent. I read and saw that the spindles bend easyish on these. When I got it aligned one eccentric is all the way in and the other is all the way out on the LCA. That's not right. So.... Where do I even start looking?

I have a spare set of spindles in the garage...I'm hoping that's it.

 

[NZDZRT]

Spindle Check

Lay a straight edge on the big 4 bolt flat face (axle area). Measure to the machined flat spot near the upper BJ / UCA connection. Compare this to a known "good" part. I fixed a 2WD Tacoma, it was bent about 5/8". It was difficult to see with the naked eye. If my description doesn't make sense, let me know and I can post a pic tonight. I still have the bent one laying around.

NZDZRT

 

[Ducmonsta]

Long story short, my wife's 4Runner and a hole banged and something on the left front of the 4Runner is bent. I read and saw that the spindles bend easyish on these. When I got it aligned one eccentric is all the way in and the other is all the way out on the LCA. That's not right. So.... Where do I even start looking?

I have a spare set of spindles in the garage...I'm hoping that's it.

There are 4 cams on the front. Ideally you want both front cams inward and both rears outward as a starting point.

What makes you think something is bent?

 

[05Rrunner]

:worthless

 

[1engineer]

Long story short, my wife's 4Runner and a hole banged and something on the left front of the 4Runner is bent. I read and saw that the spindles bend easyish on these. When I got it aligned one eccentric is all the way in and the other is all the way out on the LCA. That's not right. So.... Where do I even start looking?

I have a spare set of spindles in the garage...I'm hoping that's it.

Something MIGHT be bent but just because the cams are not the same does not mean anything is bent. What were the cam's orientation before the event?

 

[Rubberdown]

The steering wheel being cocked quite a bit to one side was a good indicator something is amiss. Also, the wheel has been moved so far forward when they were trying to get it aligned it now rubs the inner fender wheel on 265s when turned and backing up. Whatever hole she hit, she hit HARD.

And to top it all off, unrelated, she got an un repairable flat, and they don't make her tire anymore so I am buying 4 new 285s and that sure as heck is going to rub if the 265s do.

 

[Rubberdown]

:worthless

What do you want a picture of exactly?

 

[Rubberdown]

Lay a straight edge on the big 4 bolt flat face (axle area). Measure to the machined flat spot near the upper BJ / UCA connection. Compare this to a known "good" part. I fixed a 2WD Tacoma, it was bent about 5/8". It was difficult to see with the naked eye. If my description doesn't make sense, let me know and I can post a pic tonight. I still have the bent one laying around.

NZDZRT

Please illustrate with a picture if you can.

 

[Rubberdown]

Something MIGHT be bent but just because the cams are not the same does not mean anything is bent. What were the cam's orientation before the event?

Couldn't tell ya how it was before this. She said she hit a pothole and it was driving funny. I said take it to Toyota and get it aligned. Those people at Toyota did whatever to fix it, and now it rubs. I looked at the right side and the cams look pretty even comparatively. It is waaaaaaaaay off.

 

[1engineer]

Í

Couldn't tell ya how it was before this. She said she hit a pothole and it was driving funny. I said take it to Toyota and get it aligned. Those people at Toyota did whatever to fix it, and now it rubs. I looked at the right side and the cams look pretty even comparatively. It is waaaaaaaaay off.

I would take it back and ask them what they initially found and what they did.
If they cannot identify the problem the next step is taking it to a body shop that does frame repair for measuring purposes. They will have a rack and more importantly they have the OEM measurements and the ability to measure correctly.

If you want to try to identify it yourself then start taking measurements from the good side. Take into account that any component that can be moved during alignment cannot be used as a measurement point. For example use the front body mount to a point on the LCA for example. I would also measure and inspect the spindle. Good luck.

 

[Rubberdown]

Yeah I may have to go that route. I am going to measure the spindle tomorrow and see what i come up with. I am just wondering what normally bends on these trucks when people wheel them to hard. Apart from the spindle any other ideas?

 

[Jeremy556]

Yeah I may have to go that route. I am going to measure the spindle tomorrow and see what i come up with. I am just wondering what normally bends on these trucks when people wheel them to hard. Apart from the spindle any other ideas?

The little tabs to each side of the eccentric adjusters get smashed flat. Image below is an extreme example

ETA: another good picture

I have had to bend my alignment tabs back several times and have Total Chaos tabs and spindle gussets waiting to be installed with my next front suspension overhaul.

 

[Rubberdown]

Are the factory ones welded or bolted in?

 

[Jeremy556]

Are the factory ones welded or bolted in?

Couple of spot welds.