Pulsations Under Braking - Ideas?

[Mikeybike]

I had a rear axle seal issue on a '96 4Runner (V6 5 spd, 16" wheels 4X4). I installed new seals, bearings, exciter rings & spacers, shoes and drums in the rear. Figuring the lack of rear braking from the gear oil soaked shoes warped the front rotors I installed new rotors and pads in the front but still had bad pulsations that rattled the steering wheel and dash. Turned the brand new rotors and still had the pulsations. Brakes smooth in a sharp corner but pulsates badly in straight line braking. Can't feel any bearing looseness in front with the wheels off the ground. Can't feel any looseness around the steering knuckle or steering arm ends. Do hear a bit of a knock when turning the wheel quickly left and right with the engine off. 230K is the mileage. All stoch other than Bilsteins and fat anti sway bars front and rear. Any ideas on what I should look for?

 

[20034RunnerV84x2]

CV boot?

 

[SST221]

Tie rod ends or control arm bushings

 

[SST221]

Tie rod ends or control arm bushings, in that order.

 

[TOYOTATECH30]

Steering rack mounts

 

[the great him]

also might want to look into last time the LBJs were replaced... those can be kinda a sore subject to some on here. while no i dont think this is your problem it could be if neglected.

 

[Mikeybike]

Pulsations under Braking

also might want to look into last time the LBJs were replaced... those can be kinda a sore subject to some on here. while no i dont think this is your problem it could be if neglected.

Thanks for the leads all. LBJ's have never been replaced. I did get a friend to wiggle the steering wheel tonight and heard some play inn the action.....I see what I find.

Thanks again to all!

 

[cordrayj1]

Disconnect lower control arm from lbj. If it's easy to move around, replace. Just checked mine this evening. Holy crap ill be ordering new ones tomorrow mine are straight worn out.

Sent from my MB860 using Tapatalk

 

[Gerdo]

Thanks for the leads all. LBJ's have never been replaced. I did get a friend to wiggle the steering wheel tonight and heard some play inn the action.....I see what I find.

Thanks again to all!

LBJs are known to fail (wheels fall off causing damage, even totaling vehicles).
Also ONLY use real Toyota OE LBJs. There is a thread with part numbers for Tacoma LBJs which are bigger/stronger/better. http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/92427-ball-joints.html

Replacing the steering rack mount bushings with poly ones, Power Steering Rack Bushing Kit (95.5-04 Tacoma) - Toytec Lifts: Toyota Lift Kits: FJ Cruiser Lift Kits, Tacoma Lift Kits, Tundra Lift Kits, 4 Runner Lift Kits, Sequoia Lift Kits, Toyota Truck Lift Kits , will firm up the steering too.

 

[RunninInGA]

Gerdo or anyone else that knows off the top of their head, will the taco LBJs work on 2wd runners also?

 

[the great him]

they should, unless the 2wd runner ball joints are different than the 4wd. but i dont think you would need the taco ones being 2wd, unless you run a lot of trails or drive it hard. the reason guys are going to the taco ball joint is most of them have lifts and or armor and they wheel their rigs a fair amount, thus creating a lot more stress on them.

 

[RunninInGA]

they should, unless the 2wd runner ball joints are different than the 4wd. but i dont think you would need the taco ones being 2wd, unless you run a lot of trails or drive it hard. the reason guys are going to the taco ball joint is most of them have lifts and or armor and they wheel their rigs a fair amount, thus creating a lot more stress on them.

If I'm gonna be there doing the work, I'd rather install the beefier part. If nobody else knows for sure, I'll check into it when I tackle the highway wander I'm experiencing.