Lift Issues

[Cwm]

I recently put a 3" lift on my '97 and as a just in case, a toytec diffdrop. Problem is, the diff drop did nothing, and the cv boots on both sides popped loose. Took it to the dealers, and they "dont just do boots" (which turned out to be the case everywhere around here) and for the full replace of both cv joints it was cheaper at Toyota than anywhere else.

After leaving the dealers from the install, the front diff started making a horrible rattle with foot on the gas and at low speed the front passenger wheel sounded like a little red wagon with its squeak.

Took it back and they are telling me due to the "severe" lift I have, the cv joint has popped out again and this time on the pass side the 'needle bearing' (it is needle joint, needle bearing, needle...etc, cant remember which, i apologize) and snap rings need to be replaced. This costs almost as much as the initial cv joint replacement on both sides.

First, would a proper cv joint install job have allowed for this to have happened? I only know what this site walkthroughs tell me plus a great YouTube video, which is not nearly enough to call a mechanic out on.
2. Is a 3" lift a severe lift? It seems average in a rough comparison to the rest of the rigs on this site.
3.Do dealers have bad track records once you start modding your truck? Mine was stock until this. Should i find a local shop that specializes in modifications to do even routine work with stock parts now?
4.Should i try to have the extended cv boot mod put in to try to mitigate this from the future?

How many people have had actual front end issues due to a lift? I have found many glowing threads about lifts, but no actual anecdotal references to the bad stuff, just "it could happen" stuff salted in everywhere (except for LBJ failure stories, that seems to be the only well documented horror story).

 

[reelamin]

I recently put a 3" lift on my '97 and as a just in case, a toytec diffdrop. Problem is, the diff drop did nothing, and the cv boots on both sides popped loose. Took it to the dealers, and they "dont just do boots" (which turned out to be the case everywhere around here) and for the full replace of both cv joints it was cheaper at Toyota than anywhere else.

After leaving the dealers from the install, the front diff started making a horrible rattle with foot on the gas and at low speed the front passenger wheel sounded like a little red wagon with its squeak.

Took it back and they are telling me due to the "severe" lift I have, the cv joint has popped out again and this time on the pass side the 'needle bearing' (it is needle joint, needle bearing, needle...etc, cant remember which, i apologize) and snap rings need to be replaced. This costs almost as much as the initial cv joint replacement on both sides.

First, would a proper cv joint install job have allowed for this to have happened? I only know what this site walkthroughs tell me plus a great YouTube video, which is not nearly enough to call a mechanic out on.
2. Is a 3" lift a severe lift? It seems average in a rough comparison to the rest of the rigs on this site.
3.Do dealers have bad track records once you start modding your truck? Mine was stock until this. Should i find a local shop that specializes in modifications to do even routine work with stock parts now?
4.Should i try to have the extended cv boot mod put in to try to mitigate this from the future?

How many people have had actual front end issues due to a lift? I have found many glowing threads about lifts, but no actual anecdotal references to the bad stuff, just "it could happen" stuff salted in everywhere (except for LBJ failure stories, that seems to be the only well documented horror story).

Sorry to hear you are having issues. This is another example of why I am trying my hardest to stay away from any kind of taller suspension "lift". I have been studying lifts with their benefits, problems and issues as I try to solve my need for snow chains. I don't rock crawl and other extreme, but do use my rig to go a lot of places most wont. I know I will get some negatives, but my research even on this site shows those who have issues...."lifted their rigs 2" or more". Even the LBJ....majority of them have modified or lifted their front suspension. The extra modifications and continual maintenance is just not something I am interested in. I think its great others do it as it helps all of us. Good luck and I hope you find a solution that fixes your issues.

 

[Unner]

Post your hub to fender measurements and we can tell you if your lift is "severe" or not. If it isn't ridiculous that shouldn't have happened with the new CVs.

This is why it's best to learn how to do your own work on cars.

 

[TMP]

Cwm -
How many miles on your rig?
What 3" lift did you install?

I wouldn't call a 3" lift extreme. It's a pretty common lift.

 

[JayRolla]

No this is not normal. Even without diff drop you should be fine. The boots may rip but not cv damage. Especially on the road. Think of the angle at full droop on the trail.

We need pictures of lift. What lift parts you used and center of hub to fender measurement on level ground to help you more.

 

[absalom]

I personally believe that one shouldn't lift their truck until they are comfortable dealing with all the issues that inevitably accompany a lift. When the lift is done, you hugely reduce the amount of mechanically inclined folks that will even touch your truck.

To answer some of your questions, yes, 3" is considered a moderate to severe lift. There is a significantly greater toll taken on LBJs, CVs, etc, than with a 2" or less lift. Yes, dealerships struggle greatly with modified trucks, which is completely understandable. No two lifts are the same, and the mechanics at a dealership are only trained to Toyota's factory suspension, not whatever drop-bracket, booger-welded, spacer lift Joe Schmoe cobbled together. Next, the helpful effects of a CV drop are widely disputed. The angle reduction is often not great enough, and some users report diff starvation.

My advice? Switch to a simple Bilstein 5100 setup, set your height at 1.5-2" and rear height to 3". Strap on some 265/75/15's, install a rear locker, and wheel the hell out of it. You'll have a MUCH stabler, more capable truck, and experience far less issues in the long run.

 

[GearHead899]

thats odd, I have a 3" RC lift and my buddy has the same lift on his. Recently he told me his CV boot started slinging grease so he got the diff drop kit. I on the other hand, have not had any issues without a driff drop kit. Although my truck doesnt go off road very often so its probly never seen full droop. Do you off road your rig? post some pics if you can

 

[absalom]

thats odd, I have a 3" RC lift and my buddy has the same lift on his. Recently he told me his CV boot started slinging grease so he got the diff drop kit. I on the other hand, have not had any issues without a driff drop kit. Although my truck doesnt go off road very often so its probly never seen full droop. Do you off road your rig? post some pics if you can

Agreed, this thread is worthless without pics or details.

 

[mtbtim]

It is normal for CV axle boots to tear, especially the inner ones, after a lift because now the boot is being tugged at a different angle than before and the old brittle rubber can't handle it.

It is not common for the CV axle to actually have a mechanical problem like you described after a lift. I think they screwed up on the install and aren't telling you the truth. I've done two CV reboot jobs on trucks that have 3" lifts in the front and both worked out great. It sounds like the CV axle popped out of it's seat in the differential. There's a c-clip on the end of the axle shaft that holds the axle in the differential shaft. It usually take a fair amount of pounding or prying to get the axle shaft to pop loose so it's my opinion they never had the clip fully seated and that's why it popped out. The mechanic screwed up and they aren't admitting it.

This is yet another example that if you have the time and tools necessary to do a repair, it's better to do it yourself and get it done right. And, these are "Certified Mechanics" at the freaking dealership. Just goes to show certifications don't mean shit. You can have all the certifications in the world and still be incompetent.

Here's a video [MENTION=102606]infamousRNR[/MENTION] and I did of rebooting his CV axles with OEM reboot kits.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vcCT4UgFUTw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[1985taylor1925]

I went through three sets of cvs with a 2.5" front lift over the course of a few years. I got sick of it, and the stiff ride. 99 coils are fine for me now