Sloppy Front End - 05 SR5

[ray_pres]

Hey Guys, I have an 05 4runner with 84k on the clock… my question is I've noticed tons of vibration on freeway speeds over 60mph, all while getting my tires balanced, and road force balancing. When going over bumps, I get a "shimmy & clunk" over bumps, railroad tracks, etc. This has been prevalent for the last 10k miles or so, starting to get on my nerves.

So my question(s) is this:

How many of you have had ball joint issues? if so, should I be looking for upper or lower?

How many of you had to change the struts? It does feel as if my truck is starting to "boat" around a bit… I've entertained Bilstein as a replacement, keeping the stock height.

Is there anything else I should be looking for? I appreciate all responses here.

 

[nethngbtstk]

1st post i see. Welcome

I can tell you I changed my struts around 85k when i lifted it but changing them made the biggest diff in the world. The stockers were shot and when i would hit a bump as you mentioned i would feel it and hear it. Now with new ones its rock solid and feel a million times better.

 

[08T4R]

The ball joints usually require a control arm replacement. They usually don't go bad that soon unless contaminated due to a bad boot. I think you can get replacements and have them pressed out/in, but a pain none the less. There was a lady not too long ago on here that had her husband replace the steering gear box. Hers had slop in it. I would climb under it and check all bushings, tie rods, etc etc before starting to randomly replace things..is it a sr5 or sport or limited? Sorry, on tapatalk and can't scroll back up to see if you told..

 

[furuoka]

I have this same issue on my 04 SR5 4x4, with 125k miles. Did you replace the shocks? Did this fix your issue?

Just bought mine about a month ago, it was from Alberta Canada, so I have other concerns about wear and tear from the weather (bushings, wheel bearings, ball joints, etc). Trying to diagnose without throwing money at parts, but with suspension, especially the front, it can be tough to pinpoint. I live in the valley in California so I am not used to vehicles that have been subject to harsh winters, snow, salt, etc.

Thanks!

 

[MICA4R]

Now with new ones its rock solid and feel a million times better.

Nice! what shocks and springs did you put in there?

 

[superman3043]

Hey Guys, I have an 05 4runner with 84k on the clock… my question is I've noticed tons of vibration on freeway speeds over 60mph, all while getting my tires balanced, and road force balancing. When going over bumps, I get a "shimmy & clunk" over bumps, railroad tracks, etc. This has been prevalent for the last 10k miles or so, starting to get on my nerves.

So my question(s) is this:

How many of you have had ball joint issues? if so, should I be looking for upper or lower?

How many of you had to change the struts? It does feel as if my truck is starting to "boat" around a bit… I've entertained Bilstein as a replacement, keeping the stock height.

Is there anything else I should be looking for? I appreciate all responses here.

Vibration at highway speeds, I'm gonna point at cupped tires. Been there.

The clunking over bumps, I'm gonna point you to this thread cause I've been here too:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/124180-steering-column-clack-resolved.html

A quick thing to check and fix and it solved a bunch of frustration on my end. I'd recommend actually putting some thread locker on that bolt as it has a tendency to work itself loose over time.

Never had balljoint issues. I have changed struts, but it was probably with 150+K miles on the originals and they still rode great.

Hope it helps. Good luck.

 

[stevec5000]

Hey Guys, I have an 05 4runner with 84k on the clock… my question is I've noticed tons of vibration on freeway speeds over 60mph, all while getting my tires balanced, and road force balancing.

If the tires are really round with no lumps and bumps then they are out of balance. You need to have them balanced by someone who actually knows how to balance tires or else get a balancer at Harbor Freight and just do it yourself.
It's easy to do then you will know they are done right.

 

[furuoka]

Vibration at highway speeds, I'm gonna point at cupped tires. Been there.

The clunking over bumps, I'm gonna point you to this thread cause I've been here too:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/124180-steering-column-clack-resolved.html

A quick thing to check and fix and it solved a bunch of frustration on my end. I'd recommend actually putting some thread locker on that bolt as it has a tendency to work itself loose over time.

Never had balljoint issues. I have changed struts, but it was probably with 150+K miles on the originals and they still rode great.

Hope it helps. Good luck.

I love these type of fixes. 'Something feels loose. Tighten bolt X and now it feels tight.'

Going to try tonight.

Thanks!

 

[furuoka]

Vibration at highway speeds, I'm gonna point at cupped tires. Been there.

The clunking over bumps, I'm gonna point you to this thread cause I've been here too:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/124180-steering-column-clack-resolved.html

A quick thing to check and fix and it solved a bunch of frustration on my end. I'd recommend actually putting some thread locker on that bolt as it has a tendency to work itself loose over time.

Never had balljoint issues. I have changed struts, but it was probably with 150+K miles on the originals and they still rode great.

Hope it helps. Good luck.

Well that didn't work. I torqued it down pretty good it moved a bit but not enough to say it was loose. Going to try this one next.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/57115-steering-wheel-knock.html

To be honest the more I drive it the more it feels like it is in the suspension. I took a look a the upper control arm bushings and they look shot. But I don't have new ones to compare them to. I'll shoot a pic and post it. They reason I say they look shot is that there is space between the mount and the bushing and it is a little cooked.