Loud Creaking front end

[Orlyg1521]

I have a Radflo suspension upgrade, Toal Chaos UCA. I am getting a loud creaking when I turn the wheel left and right. I just recently greased the UCA/LCA bushings thru zerks fittings. Any ideas?

 

[Jono.ful]

uniballs. get some tri-flo or graphite

 

[Simpleman74]

stick your head up under there and have someone turn the wheel til you track it down.

 

[Jono.ful]

also, uniballs are not life-time parts. they do need to be replaced if you find they have excess play. I had to do my uppers after about a year and a half, lowers are still going strong after about 2 years. Theseare the exact same part that TC uses (TC replacement uniballs show up with the fnk part number on the bag even), but are a fraction of the cost compared to buying from them.

 

[Orlyg1521]

silence

Triflow did the trick, used the straw applicator, dripped oil into the ball joint then turned the wheel L/R a few times. Figured that's what it was. Didn't know about the Triflow

 

[Jeremy556]

Triflow did the trick, used the straw applicator, dripped oil into the ball joint then turned the wheel L/R a few times. Figured that's what it was. Didn't know about the Triflow

Once they start to make noise, the teflon liner is gone and they should be replaced. You can continue to use them for a while, but you'll have to constantly lube them.

 

[Orlyg1521]

Once they start to make noise, the teflon liner is gone and they should be replaced. You can continue to use them for a while, but you'll have to constantly lube them.

Took a look and it doesn't look too hard to replace the bushings and the uniball joint
$48 for spherical bearings
$54 bushings (from TCF)
$48 Uniball removal tool (TCF) or rent from auto part store

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjAqneTSDys

am I missing anything?

 

[Jeremy556]

Took a look and it doesn't look too hard to replace the bushings and the uniball joint
$48 for spherical bearings
$54 bushings (from TCF)
$48 Uniball removal tool (TCF) or rent from auto part store

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjAqneTSDys

am I missing anything?

Unless you deform the bushings by adding too much grease without loosening the through bolt, the bushings should be fine. I use my shop press for the uniballs, but a balljoint tool may do the job without removing the arms, I've never tried.

You'll also want to replace the spherical bearings at the top and bottom of your shocks, they won't be far behind in failing and becoming extremely noisy. Should be COM10T - Summit is the place to get these, as well as the WSSX-16T uniballs.

 

[Jono.ful]

Took a look and it doesn't look too hard to replace the bushings and the uniball joint
$48 for spherical bearings
$54 bushings (from TCF)
$48 Uniball removal tool (TCF) or rent from auto part store

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjAqneTSDys

am I missing anything?

copper kote or a similar anti-seize, snap ring pliers, and I found a dental pick useful too. a uniball service tool or similar will allow you to remove the uniballs with the UCA/LCA still on the truck, saves the hassle of removing them and worrying about your alignment. the job is significantly easier if you have a decent air impact gun to work the uniball tool as well.
the Total Chaos tool is literally just the correct "cups" to press/catch the spherical bearing, you'll need one of these too:

at least the big c-clamp part

 

[Jeremy556]

Just looked at the pics and noticed the spacer on the tie rod and LCA, you have +2" TC long travel. I'm guessing this is the old MetalTech LT 5th gen 4runner.

You should have a uniball in place of the OEM LCA's balljoint that is probably due for replacement.