Unner's Build, 2001 T4R 4x4

[Unner]

If you are careful how you position a ball joint/pitman arm puller you should be able to remove the LBJ without any damage. I've used them multiple times on my 4runner without any damage to the LBJ.

I bought this from amazon and have already got my moneys worth from it:
OTC 6295 Front End Service Set

That's what I figured. I guess I'll just have to rent all the different tools from autozone, etc to find the one that fits without hurting it. When I replaced them I kinda just forced them on there and used heat, but I also had replacements so I won't be doing that this time...

 

[LittleCaesar]

Take some pics and post them.

Unlike CVs I have never replaced LCA or even UCAs on a 4runner so I can't give any insight.

 

[Unner]

Take some pics and post them.

Unlike CVs I have never replaced LCA or even UCAs on a 4runner so I can't give any insight.

I'll try to. Usually I get to excited and end up tearing everything apart and putting it back together without taking any pictures...

Hopefully this'll tighten up my steering a little more and then sometime I'll put a roll pin in the steering column and get rid of all the slop up front. Almost everything will be new upfront after this except for the UCA's and driver side CV.

 

[fourfive]

If the lbj has been recently replaced (within the last year) and have been taken care of (not rusted together) ive found they come apart very easily without any special tools. I replaced my lbj May 2015 & when i had to remove the lbj a few months ago to replace my lca bushings, the lbj came apart by hand and didnt even need my puller.

 

[Unner]

If the lbj has been recently replaced (within the last year) and have been taken care of (not rusted together) ive found they come apart very easily without any special tools. I replaced my lbj May 2015 & when i had to remove the lbj a few months ago to replace my lca bushings, the lbj came apart by hand and didnt even need my puller.

Yeah that's what I'm hoping for. Mine was about a year ago, maybe less actually. Close to 25k miles, but that shouldn't matter. I'm hoping it'll come free with little coaxing. I got the new arms delivered today. Slightly disappointed with the paint/powder coat on them factory from Toyota, but they are control arms that will be covered in dirt very quickly. The new bushings look so rubbery and not cracked!

Made an appointment for an alignment on Saturday at 4:00 at my firestone that always does a good job. I think I'll start on it Friday night though just to make sure it's done in time.

Winch is supposed to be delivered tomorrow and I've been looking at snatch blocks and tree savers as well as wiring to mount my solenoid box remotely. Forgot I had a $50 online gift card as well!:whoo:

 

[Unner]

Well, a couple updates. I got my winch delivered last week and it fits in the bumper and clears the grill by millimeters.

I also go my LCA's replaced this weekend. It went well, other than the problem still happening. Essentially you take the end links off, LBJ off(I needed a puller), pop the lower shock bolt off, take the 4 steering rack bolts off(need to remove your diff drop if you have one to get the long bolt out) so you can pick up the rack and move it out of the way without damaging the lines(I had to pop my tie rods off the LBJ as well, take the cam adjuster bolts out and then reassemble.

I replaced my adjuster cams too just because I had new ones and didn't want to do it again. Nothing was seized on mine either. I chose not to install the BAMF skids either, couldn't bring myself to drill into brand new control arms...

I wish this would have fixed the clunking noise I get over speedbumps or slow turning in parking lots(especially when cutting it sharp and quick like when you are lining up to back into a spot), and I thought it did initially, but unfortunately it did not. Now one of the only things I could think it would be would be that the steering guide needs to be adjusted again. It was done about 50k miles ago, but maybe it needs to be done again now, especially after the lift. The only thing not new suspension wise is the UCA and UBJ. I guess it could be a driveshaft binding or so too, but that seems unlikely.

The good news is today I got some screens made for the rear windows for camping, and I was able to give it a much needed bath this weekend. Pictures to come tomorrow.

 

[MattJakobs]

That's a bummer you couldn't get rid of the clunking noise but at least you know what it's not. How long did the LCA install take you and how bad was it? I plan on doing this as well as uniball UCAs this summer so any insight/tips is appreciated as well. Planned on eventually drilling out the new LCAs for the BAMF skids? Any chance you're parting with the old LCAs?

 

[Unner]

That's a bummer you couldn't get rid of the clunking noise but at least you know what it's not. How long did the LCA install take you and how bad was it? I plan on doing this as well as uniball UCAs this summer so any insight/tips is appreciated as well. Planned on eventually drilling out the new LCAs for the BAMF skids? Any chance you're parting with the old LCAs?

Yeah I'm bummed it didn't fix it, but at least I know the LCA's are good for another 200k miles. It took me like 7-8 hours working with my dad since you really need two people to move the rack around and to move the suspension stuff as well.

It's not bad, but just time consuming. Mostly having to remove the 4 big steering rack bolts made it a pain. And then torqueing the top center one is the hardest bolt to torque on this truck. 123 ft lbs and you can only ratchet the torque wrench one click at a time. If you haven't done steering rack bushings this is the time to do them. Other than that the rest was really easy. Loosen the bolts, pull them, pull the cam sleeves and the LCA will drop to the ground.

I've been debating doing UCA's also, but mine don't seem to be in too bad of shape and I don't know if I want to deal with them or spend that money right now.

The LCA's will probably be available, but I left them at home and won't be going back until mid may most likely. They're in good shape just some scrapes and surface rust on the bottom where I got caught up on a rock before... I'm not sure if I will be drilling the new LCA's to install the skid plates or if I'm just gonna sell those skid plates and call it good. I've got armor on the real essential parts of the rig.

Pictures of the shiny truck are uploading!

 

[habanero]

So you've ruled out the upper ball joint then?

 

[Unner]

So you've ruled out the upper ball joint then?

Haven't ruled it out, but the noise seems to be coming from lower and there don't seem to be many issues with the UBJs on these trucks. Any way to test it for sure?

 

[fourfive]

Haven't ruled it out, but the noise seems to be coming from lower and there don't seem to be many issues with the UBJs on these trucks. Any way to test it for sure?

Have you looked at the steering rack guide? This is from the diy in the maintenance section.

Inside your steering rack, there is a guide that keeps everything moving the right way, over time it can loosen, and lead to sloppy steering, or a mysterious front end clunk. The original part was a roller on bearings, this was replaced with a sold piece in later model years.

 

[Oprah]

dood..... the runner looks hawt. well done!

 

[slofizz]

dam that's nice.

 

[Unner]

Have you looked at the steering rack guide? This is from the diy in the maintenance section.

I did it like 50k miles ago, but I'm thinking I may need to recheck it. I guess it could have come loose over those miles, especially with the lift and I'm sure it saw more rough dirt road/off roading in those miles than it did in the first 140k.

The strange thing is I just went out there and cycled the suspension while I was laying under it looking and listening and the only place I could hear a noise coming from was the driver side and when I started putting my hand on things to try and feel the noise the only place I really felt it was the end link. I don't THINK it's the end link because before I did the LCA's I pulled both end links and it still did it, but maybe I need to pull them again with the new LCA's and make sure...

The strange part to me is it rides perfect on the highway. It's got the dead spot in the center of the steering, but that's from the slip joint I know. Other than that it isn't as tight as my Supra, but it's like it should be I think for a lifted truck. No vibrations or anything either at any speed.

dood..... the runner looks hawt. well done!

Thanks man! New pictures on the way.

 

[Unner]

These are all the recent pictures of the Runner.

Did a thing, should roll over 192k this weekend I believe.
DSC03819 by Unner Unner, on Flickr

Mocking up my new winch. Should fit well.
DSC03820 by Unner Unner, on Flickr
DSC03821 by Unner Unner, on Flickr
DSC03822 by Unner Unner, on Flickr

Beauty and the Beast.
DSC03834 by Unner Unner, on Flickr
DSC03840 by Unner Unner, on Flickr
DSC03844 by Unner Unner, on Flickr
DSC03847 by Unner Unner, on Flickr
DSC03848 by Unner Unner, on Flickr
DSC03850 by Unner Unner, on Flickr
DSC03851 by Unner Unner, on Flickr

First Bath in Months
DSC03857 by Unner Unner, on Flickr
DSC03858 by Unner Unner, on Flickr
DSC03859 by Unner Unner, on Flickr
DSC03862 by Unner Unner, on Flickr
DSC03863 by Unner Unner, on Flickr
DSC03867 by Unner Unner, on Flickr
DSC03869 by Unner Unner, on Flickr

 

[Unner]

DSC03872 by Unner Unner, on Flickr
DSC03878 by Unner Unner, on Flickr
DSC03882 by Unner Unner, on Flickr
DSC03901 by Unner Unner, on Flickr
DSC03902 by Unner Unner, on Flickr

And finally my camping screens. It's just window screening sewn together with fishing line and then wrapped in gorilla tape on the edges. Then a long magnet to seal the bottom. Should work well I think. I stole this idea from someone on expeditionportal or ih8mud as well so credit to them.
DSC03909 by Unner Unner, on Flickr
DSC03910 by Unner Unner, on Flickr

 

[amalik]

she's looking gorgeous, [MENTION=116387]Unner[/MENTION]

 

[LittleCaesar]

Nice driveway pics, though I have to ask what is in the garage?

I guess you didn't take any pics of your LCA removal and install.

 

[habanero]

Haven't ruled it out, but the noise seems to be coming from lower and there don't seem to be many issues with the UBJs on these trucks. Any way to test it for sure?

They go bad too, I changed mine out 4 years ago with 238,020 miles. It started clunking on low speed turns out of the parking lot at work, where there was a few bumps. Had already taken care of the clunks from the lower control arm bushings so knew it wasn't those though of course I still checked. These clunks had different timing too, from the LCAs. Definitely don't throw parts at it based on my armchair observations!

They can be tested for play.

 

[Unner]

she's looking gorgeous, [MENTION=116387]Unner[/MENTION]

Thanks!

Nice driveway pics, though I have to ask what is in the garage?

I guess you didn't take any pics of your LCA removal and install.

Thanks! The car in the garage is my dad's 69 Ford Torino GT we've been restoring for the last 10 years or so.

Sorry, I didn't get any pictures of the process, I was really trying to make my appointment for the alignment and made it by only 15 minutes. It really wasn't bad though. Less stressful than the CV for me just because I hate dealing with seals, I'm always afraid they will still leak.

These are the only pictures I have, very old pictures. Before any of the restoration. Still has old paint, rust, etc in these pictures.

IMG_0076 by Unner Unner, on Flickr
IMG_0069 by Unner Unner, on Flickr
IMG_0070 by Unner Unner, on FlickrIMG_0071 by Unner Unner, on Flickr

They go bad too, I changed mine out 4 years ago with 238,020 miles. It started clunking on low speed turns out of the parking lot at work, where there was a few bumps. Had already taken care of the clunks from the lower control arm bushings so knew it wasn't those though of course I still checked. These clunks had different timing too, from the LCAs. Definitely don't throw parts at it based on my armchair observations!

They can be tested for play.

Hmm... I guess it could be them. They seeped a little grease after the lift, but nothing major I thought. What kind of noise did they make? The most noticeable repeating noise for me is when I go to back into a spot and I crank the wheel all the way and brake to line myself up before I put it in reverse. I guess I do this somewhat quickly too, I don't just do this real slow because there are sometimes people waiting behind me.