Is this normal?

[Buckles]

I did the Tacoma suspension swap the other day and since I had it aligned I developed a creaking noise on the driver side. I first though it was the swag bar bushing or maybe the links, but I just did some flexing and it didn't seem to be affecting either of those.

Then I spotted my lower control arm bushings



Both sides look like that inside the eye. Are the bushing supposed to be like that or is it time to replace?

 

[HokieRunner]

I did the Tacoma suspension swap the other day and since I had it aligned I developed a creaking noise on the driver side. I first though it was the swag bar bushing or maybe the links, but I just did some flexing and it didn't seem to be affecting either of those.

Then I spotted my lower control arm bushings



Both sides look like that inside the eye. Are the bushing supposed to be like that or is it time to replace?

That's how they look. Doesn't mean they aren't the culprit for the creaking though. I'd give everything a chance to settle and see if the creak persists.

 

[Buckles]

That's how they look. Doesn't mean they aren't the culprit for the creaking though. I'd give everything a chance to settle and see if the creak persists.

So they are supposed to look shriveled and have a bunch of space around them?

Lift has been on for a week now. How long should I wait for it to settle?

 

[HokieRunner]

So they are supposed to look shriveled and have a bunch of space around them?

Lift has been on for a week now. How long should I wait for it to settle?

Yes....doesn't seem like they should but it's what they look like. Pretty odd IMO. If the springs and everything are seated properly and nothing looks out of place, maybe wait another week?

Could also recheck the torque on all the bolts. Snugging those up can make a difference.

 

[Buckles]

Yes....doesn't seem like they should but it's what they look like. Pretty odd IMO. If the springs and everything are seated properly and nothing looks out of place, maybe wait another week?

Could also recheck the torque on all the bolts. Snugging those up can make a difference.

Will do.

I still have to put the rear shocks on after I get the bushing out of those.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

So they are supposed to look shriveled and have a bunch of space around them?

Lift has been on for a week now. How long should I wait for it to settle?

They aren't actually shrivled, but rather cracked, that being said; the cracking you show in the picture is what I would consider normal for an older vehicle. Its not bad enough to cause tearing/large deep cracks in the rubber that would indicate that the rubber has structrually failed, but enough that I know they aren't new bushings.

As for the space, a lot of bushings are like that, look at this "Dog Bone" engine mount for an idea. I believe the reasoning behind it is to allow better compression/articulation of the suspension without tearing the bushings up prematurely.

Here's an example of the tearing/fissuring I was talking about, it is technically an engine mount; but they fail in the same manner.

 

[Buckles]

They aren't actually shrivled, but rather cracked, that being said; the cracking you show in the picture is what I would consider normal for an older vehicle. Its not bad enough to cause tearing/large deep cracks in the rubber that would indicate that the rubber has structrually failed, but enough that I know they aren't new bushings.

As for the space, a lot of bushings are like that, look at this "Dog Bone" engine mount for an idea. I believe the reasoning behind it is to allow better compression/articulation of the suspension without tearing the bushings up prematurely.

Here's an example of the tearing/fissuring I was talking about, it is technically an engine mount; but they fail in the same manner.

Well that's good. Thanks for the pics.

I guess I'll keep searching for the creaking. I'll have it in the garage this weekend to put the rear shocks on I'll probably just double check everything again.