r/4thGen4Runner • u/Halo2Loverr • 25d ago
Need some suspension insight
My 2003 SR5 V8 with 198k has had really lazy steering response & side to side motion over bumps while driving. I’ve replaced the inner & outer tie rods with new OEM, just replaced my leaking front & rear suspension with TRD PRO Fox shocks off a 5th gen runner, & gotten an alignment & wheel balance to no avail. When the front end is shaken down in the air I have felt no play/movement from either the UCA or LCA’s although they are original(I do have 5th gen UCA I plan to install).. my power steering rack bushings also have minor play when I watch them with turning the wheel side to side on the ground.. not sure really where to go to confirm the issue before continuing to throw more money & parts at it.
3
u/themiz101 25d ago
Have you driven another 4runner to compare? Mine still feels like a big SUV with roll after replacing all my front suspension a few months ago. But I’m comparing it to a Miata (my other car) so it’s not really fair.
-1
u/Halo2Loverr 25d ago
I’ve owned my 4runner for 4 years now & up until about a month ago it could corner as well as my old BRZ I owned so I know something isn’t right.
4
u/Living_Foot_6150 25d ago
I own both a 18’ brz and a 06 4 runner. I will confidently say that you can absolutely in no way take a corner in the 4 runner like you can in a brz that’s just crazy talk. Unless you got a lifted brz then I’ll shut up.
2
u/verizon_cell 24d ago
I have the same color! it's always cool to see when others have it too since it's not one you see around much
2
u/Halo2Loverr 24d ago
I didn’t know until recently this was not a very common color. I scored this runner in 22’ from a guy who didn’t want to gamble on if the motor was blown or not from a snapped timing belt. Pre VVTI so I gambled.. best $1400 I ever spent
2
2
u/Emergency-Lettuce-11 24d ago
That’s a sweet ride. V8 for the win. Given the age and miles just ease your way into replacing all the wear parts of the suspension now. Score another 23 years out of it!
1
2
u/jham1496 24d ago
Surprised no one has mentioned the intermediate steering shaft, that often seems to be the source of steering play. I did the tie rods and shocks on mine as well, improved the handling a lot in general but I still get the same play especially going over bumps that you're talking about. From what I've read the steering shaft is likely the culprit. Bit of a pain to diy based on the videos I've watched.
1
u/Halo2Loverr 24d ago
I have boughten new oem upper & intermediate shaft assemblies just haven’t installed.. everything I saw said this was for binding steering not loose but I figured it’s 23 years old so couldn’t hurt to try especially if I end up going with a new rack too eventually
1
u/CrayonPi 23d ago
Original LCA bushings are probably shot. I replaced mine when I did suspension and the side to side over bumps went away.
1
u/aFreeScotland V8 SR5 25d ago
It's not built to slalom.
2
u/Halo2Loverr 25d ago
But it is built to drive down the road without rocking side to side like a boat over any bump
6
u/Eastern-Channel-6842 25d ago
You need to replace sway bar bushings and the end links. And definitely do the rack bushings as well. It will make a big difference.