IFS Spindle Problems
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Date: Mon, 12 May 1997 21:43:44 -0700
From: James Brink
Subject: Front end question/problem
To: Toy4x4@tlca.org
>
> AT 12:46 5/12/97 EDT, Mark D Adrian wrote:
> >Lately, I have noticed what I can best describe as a rattle coming
> from
> >somewhere in my front end (1986 4x IFS) and it usually manifests on
> very
> >bumpy roads, although I can hear the same noise when I hit those
> >bots-dots highway reflectors. It sounds kind of like two nested tin
> cans
> >shaken together.
> First thing I'd check is that the upper and lower shock mounts are
> tight. This type of noise could easily be the shock rattling around in
> the mounts and it's really easy to check. Just grab the shock body and t
> to shake it back and forth while looking at the mounts.
>
> ED
All IFS trucks up to 1990 (?) use a bronze or oilite bushing in both
ends of the spindle to support the axle shafts. In time these bushings
wear and allow the axle to "bounce" or jiggle around in the hollow
spindle. The fix? Replace the bushings. Beginning with '89 models, an
in-service change to bearings was made but I believe this can not be
retrofitted to the earlier trucks. Bummer.
To replace the bushings, the entire spindle assy. needs to be removed
from the vehicle. Probably not worth repairing unless: a) It is really
loose, or b) the front-end is torn-down for ball-joint replacement,
spindle replacement, installing new upper/lower control arms (lift
installation).
I have not done many of these repairs. Does no seem to be a real
concern.
- --
Jim Brink 1986 Standard Bed 4X4/22R
Toyota/ASE Certified Technician 135,000 Miles
brinkjm@earthlink.net 32" BFG All-Terrain T/As
Stock 4.10 gears
Rear Lock-Right (TRD)
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Date: Tue, 13 May 1997 15:01:59 EDT
From: markadrian@juno.com (Mark D Adrian)
Subject: Toy4x4 Digest V1 #183
To: Toy4x4@tlca.org
Date: Mon, 12 May 1997 21:43:44 -0700
From: James Brink
Subject: Front end question/problem
To: Toy4x4@tlca.org
Jim, I'm looking at my Toyota manual now. These bushings are indeed
buried deep. Looks like you'd need to break down the hub and remove both
ball joints then slip the steering knuckle off to get to both the inner
and outer bushings. Looks like a job I could do, but seems like a lot of
work. Maybe next time I repack the bearings would be the ideal time.
These bushings are probably $0.50 each (well probably $15 from Toyota).
Is there a for sure way to tell these are the culprits before I invest
any time/effort? It would seem likely that if these bushings broke down,
my symptoms would appear. How many of these bushings have you seen go
bad? I have a 1986 with 145K miles and lots of off road miles. Also, are
these rubber bushings like in the control arms? And what's the general
opinion of the poly-composit for bushing replacements? I've heard they
can become real squeaky if they're not lubed up.
Mark
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Date: Tue, 13 May 1997 14:19:25 -0500 (CDT)
From: Sam Houston
Subject: Toy4x4 Digest V1 #183
To: Toy4x4@tlca.org
>Is there a for sure way to tell these are the culprits before I invest
>any time/effort?
Both a friend of mine and I had to replace these bushings. I replaced mine
at 115K miles on the 86 I used to own and my buddy replaced his at 150K.
He probably should have replaced his at 110, but waited. The big
indication was that you could grab the halfshaft at the point where it goes
into the steering knuckle/spindle and move it ALOT. Neither of us noticed
any excess noise when the front hums were unlocked, but the noise was quite
evident when they were locked.
In short, see how much play you have where the halfshaft goes into the knuckle.
Sam Houston
shouston@ix.netcom.com
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Date: Tue, 13 May 1997 20:59:36 -0700
From: James Brink
Subject: Toy4x4 Digest V1 #183
To: Toy4x4@tlca.org
Mark D Adrian wrote:
>
> Date: Mon, 12 May 1997 21:43:44 -0700
> From: James Brink
> Subject: Front end question/problem
> To: Toy4x4@tlca.org
>
> >All IFS trucks up to 1990 (?) use a bronze or oilite bushing in both
> >ends of the spindle to support the axle shafts. In time these bushings
> >wear and allow the axle to "bounce" or jiggle around in the hollow
> >spindle. The fix? Replace the bushings. Beginning with '89 models, an
> >in-service change to bearings was made but I believe this can not be
> >retrofitted to the earlier trucks. Bummer.
>
> >To replace the bushings, the entire spindle assy. needs to be removed
> >from the vehicle. Probably not worth repairing unless: a) It is really
> >loose, or b) the front-end is torn-down for ball-joint replacement,
> >spindle replacement, installing new upper/lower control arms (lift
> >installation).
>
> >I have not done many of these repairs. Does not seem to be a real
> >concern.
>
> Jim, I'm looking at my Toyota manual now. These bushings are indeed
> buried deep. Looks like you'd need to break down the hub and remove both
> ball joints then slip the steering knuckle off to get to both the inner
> and outer bushings. Looks like a job I could do, but seems like a lot of
> work. Maybe next time I repack the bearings would be the ideal time.
> These bushings are probably $0.50 each (well probably $15 from Toyota).
> Is there a for sure way to tell these are the culprits before I invest
> any time/effort? It would seem likely that if these bushings broke down,
> my symptoms would appear. How many of these bushings have you seen go
> bad? I have a 1986 with 145K miles and lots of off road miles. Also, are
> these rubber bushings like in the control arms? And what's the general
> opinion of the poly-composit for bushing replacements? I've heard they
> can become real squeaky if they're not lubed up.
>
> Mark
I think anyone here on the list has the ability to replace these
bushings. Yes Mark, you do have to remove the knuckle from the vehicle.
Like I said before, wait until you have a BIG job in store like ball
joints or control arm bushings or shafts to replace. It is not a change
the oil and bushing-job afternoon project. The bushings are made of
bronze I believe. The last time I checked, these bushings cost around
$25.00/piece times by four (inner and outer for each side). I have not
seen many go bad. The indication is excessive side to side movement of
the front axle shaft in the knuckle.
Hope this helps.
Jim
- --
Jim Brink 1986 Standard Bed 4X4/22R
Toyota/ASE Certified Technician 135,000 Miles
brinkjm@earthlink.net 32" BFG All-Terrain T/As
Stock 4.10 gears
Rear Lock-Right (TRD)
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Date: Wed, 14 May 1997 08:37:11 -0400
From: Ed.Wong@astramerck.com
Subject: Front end question/problem
To: " - (052)Toy4x4 (a) tlca.org"
There's this thread on the bronze bushings.
I blew one out on my 89 1st gen 4Runner. Actually it was due to improper
installation of the C clip by the knucklehead mecahnic (who me?).
I got the bushings - last I recall there were about $5 each. It seems
that the outer one can be replaced w/o removing the spindle. It recall
that there was a "flat" edge on the top side. Using a wooden dowel.
tap it over so that the round edge provides a small lip. Pry very
carefully with something "soft". The press fit was not overly tight
as I recall.
I vaguely recall using a large channel wrench "very" carefully to twist
the bushing out.
Tap the new bushing in w/ either a piece of pipe or in a circular pattern
with a wooden dowel.
IMHO - I guess the problem on the newer trucks is that the ADD still
has one side connected - and that accelerates wear on the bushing?
EWong
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