Control arm bushings?

bry418 · 06-12-2009, 07:50 AM

Ok, I know a majority of you all have Tacoma's but maybe you can help me with my Tundra. I know that the front suspension of the Tundra is very similar to the Tacoma.

I have an 04 Tundra DoubleCab 4x4 with a drop bracket lift (RCD) set at 4" which basically makes the suspension geometry at stock angles. With the lift i am running 285's. (I know, i know i should just cut it off and sas it)

My problem is my control arm bushings (I think). I've already replaced the upper and lower bushing once and now they are going bad again. My mechanic seems to think that my 33's are too big a tire and that the control arms are too small in width for the size and weight of my truck . I don't see how he could be right when there is a ton of Tacoma's running 33s and 35s. My front left side makes noises, noticeably when braking causes that transfer of weight to the front of the truck. Also the truck wanders sometimes and feel like its out of alignment sometimes. The biggest problem is that everything is so inconsistent. One day everything will seem great, the next it doesn't seem right at all.

Any thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Rob in AK · 06-12-2009, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bry418

Ok, I know a majority of you all have Tacoma's but maybe you can help me with my Tundra. I know that the front suspension of the Tundra is very similar to the Tacoma.

I have an 04 Tundra DoubleCab 4x4 with a drop bracket lift (RCD) set at 4" which basically makes the suspension geometry at stock angles. With the lift i am running 285's. (I know, i know i should just cut it off and sas it)

My problem is my control arm bushings (I think). I've already replaced the upper and lower bushing once and now they are going bad again. My mechanic seems to think that my 33's are too big a tire and that the control arms are too small in width for the size and weight of my truck . I don't see how he could be right when there is a ton of Tacoma's running 33s and 35s. My front left side makes noises, noticeably when braking causes that transfer of weight to the front of the truck. Also the truck wanders sometimes and feel like its out of alignment sometimes. The biggest problem is that everything is so inconsistent. One day everything will seem great, the next it doesn't seem right at all.

Any thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Most of the guys with tacoma's that are running 33's and above have aftermarket UCA's, so your mechanic could be right. Just my

bry418 · 06-15-2009, 08:48 AM

Ok, Even with aftermarket UCA's I don't see how that would make a difference. They are the same width and all, but they just have a uni-ball instead of a ball joint for a little more flex.

TacoBlanca97 · 06-15-2009, 11:27 AM

When you say "going bad" what do you mean? Are they just noisy, is there alot of play in the upper and lower control arm bushings? I have 145,000 miles on my stock lower control arm bushings and they are fine. BTW your stock uca will handle a 33" tire.

Wheelin taco2131 · 06-15-2009, 11:34 AM

Mine have 50,000 on them and they are shot. The POP when i break or go over a curb or speed bump. It blows.

mrdoug · 06-15-2009, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wheelin taco2131

Mine have 50,000 on them and they are shot. The POP when i break or go over a curb or speed bump. It blows.

Are you talking about the bushings? or ball joints?

Wheelin taco2131 · 06-15-2009, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrdoug

Are you talking about the bushings? or ball joints?

bushings

bry418 · 06-17-2009, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wheelin taco2131

Mine have 50,000 on them and they are shot. The POP when i break or go over a curb or speed bump. It blows.

That's exactly what mine do. They pop when I break. My mechanic also showed me them twisting when the suspension flex's and compresses.

06-12-2009, 07:50 AM	#1
bry418 Newbie Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Dillsburg, PA Posts: 17	Control arm bushings? Ok, I know a majority of you all have Tacoma's but maybe you can help me with my Tundra. I know that the front suspension of the Tundra is very similar to the Tacoma. I have an 04 Tundra DoubleCab 4x4 with a drop bracket lift (RCD) set at 4" which basically makes the suspension geometry at stock angles. With the lift i am running 285's. (I know, i know i should just cut it off and sas it) My problem is my control arm bushings (I think). I've already replaced the upper and lower bushing once and now they are going bad again. My mechanic seems to think that my 33's are too big a tire and that the control arms are too small in width for the size and weight of my truck . I don't see how he could be right when there is a ton of Tacoma's running 33s and 35s. My front left side makes noises, noticeably when braking causes that transfer of weight to the front of the truck. Also the truck wanders sometimes and feel like its out of alignment sometimes. The biggest problem is that everything is so inconsistent. One day everything will seem great, the next it doesn't seem right at all. Any thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

06-15-2009, 11:27 AM	#4
TacoBlanca97 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: On a big f***ing rock. Posts: 1,026	When you say "going bad" what do you mean? Are they just noisy, is there alot of play in the upper and lower control arm bushings? I have 145,000 miles on my stock lower control arm bushings and they are fine. BTW your stock uca will handle a 33" tire. __________________ 97 Tacoma ext cab. 3.4 V6, 5spd, 4.88's Kazuma lsd rear, Bilstein adjustable's 2.5" lift up front, Skyjacker 3" rear, All Pro uca's, Skid row armor, FROR rear bumper, BFG km2's 255/85/16.

06-15-2009, 11:34 AM	#5
Wheelin taco2131 Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: GA Posts: 2,505	Mine have 50,000 on them and they are shot. The POP when i break or go over a curb or speed bump. It blows. __________________ D cab tacoma, hybrid fabtech 6" with custom deaver leafsprings, 1" reloaction plate, bils in the rear, 37 mtr's, 4.88's, 14" magnaflow dumped, AFE cold air intake, full cbi protection, wheeler type b's, tom woods shaft,compressors, 5 gal tank with train horn, yellow top, lights, skid 1980 truck build in progress d60's and airshocks to come

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06-15-2009, 08:48 AM	#3
bry418 Newbie Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Dillsburg, PA Posts: 17	Ok, Even with aftermarket UCA's I don't see how that would make a difference. They are the same width and all, but they just have a uni-ball instead of a ball joint for a little more flex.