looking to improve the handling and steering...

[cros]

hey guys. im looking to improve the overall handling of the 4runner and wanted to get a couple of opinions on the best way to do so on a tight budget.

iv been surfing on a couple different websites and saw a couple things on wheelersoffroad.com that i think might do the trick.

the 4Runner Anti-Sway Kit and Polyurethane Steering Rack Bushing Kit. does anyone have an experience with either or both of these kits? what is the degree of difficulty installing these kits? any input would be great, since i would like to order one or both of these kits this week. thanks
:thumbup:

[Whitey]

You're going to want a thicker sway bar. Addco used to make one.

[YotaFun]

I have the poly bushings on my truck and they rule!
Steering has never been better.

I might have to look into the anti sway kit.
The truck leans way too much now

[cros]

I have the poly bushings on my truck and they rule!
Steering has never been better.

I might have to look into the anti sway kit.
The truck leans way too much now


i imagine they werent too difficult to install?

[Seanz0rz]

I have the poly bushings on my truck and they rule!
Steering has never been better.

I might have to look into the anti sway kit.
The truck leans way too much now


i imagine they werent too difficult to install?


id give replacing the rack bushings 3/5 wrenches for difficulty because of the awkward position you need to be in to do them. not as hard as an engine swap, but not as easy as replacing brakes. you have to apply a fair amount of torque to the bolts to get them loose (this on a non rust california vehicle) and you will need some very large sockets(22mm, deep)

its doable, should take you a few hours, just start early saturday in case you run into problems and need longer to finish the job.

[Scuba]

Idk if you guys are talking about the rear sway bars but my dads got a heavier one on his runner and I love the way that thing handles...

[YotaFun]

Idk if you guys are talking about the rear sway bars but my dads got a heavier one on his runner and I love the way that thing handles...


Think he is referring to the front since he is talking about steering.
I think I might go hook up my front swaybar endlinks back on today...

Do they even havea thicker sway bar for teh front?

[Nuthuts96]

Poly Bushings tightened things up here! 3/5 wrenches sounds about right. just did it about a month ago (while replacing inner rack end)

tools needed:
deep 22mm socket
deep/shallow 19mm sockets
18" breaker bar
150 ft/lb torque wrench
small mm socket (8/9/10- don't remember) to remove stud on pass. side of rack.

Like Sean said, it's awkward working under there on your back. I was sore the next day because of the weird ways your body is in while tightening/loosening bolts/nuts. (esp to 100+ ft/lbs!)

my post from when i did the work:
http://www.ultimateyota.com/index.php?option=com_smf&Itemid=26&topic=6390.msg64683#msg64683

[corax]

. . . just remember sway bars should be done in front-rear sets. if you install just a thicker front the truck will "tighten" up (more understeer or push in a turn), a thicker rear by itself will "loosen" up the chassis (more oversteer). It's generall considered safer to have a "tight" set-up because the back end will be less likely to pass the front in slick situations or emergency manuevers - this is how 99% of factory suspensions come (slight push in the corners).

[Nick]

I know it's sin but please read through the following thread, really excellent reference points in there:

http://www.yotatech.com/f2/addco-anti-swaybar-bushing-solution-117834/

[CJM]

You can do it yourself, easy upgrade tbh with some time involved..maybe 2/5 banana hardness scale (lol).

You can buy the swaybar bushings and endlink bushings at most auto parts stores (I know the local pepboys has them) for cheap. The bumpstops, meh not really needed imho.

When you put it all together use a GENEROUS amount of high temp wheel bearing grease on all surfaces that could rub. Holes in the bushings, outside the bushing, the bar itself-no squeaks. The grease will attract dirt however and annually you should really take it all off, clean and regrease but its ok otherwise.

[Bob98SR5]

I know it's sin but please read through the following thread, really excellent reference points in there:

http://www.yotatech.com/f2/addco-anti-swaybar-bushing-solution-117834/



we have no beef w/ YT, just the d##che bag that "runs" that place. good tech, though

[corax]

When you put it all together use a GENEROUS amount of high temp wheel bearing grease on all surfaces that could rub. Holes in the bushings, outside the bushing, the bar itself-no squeaks. The grease will attract dirt however and annually you should really take it all off, clean and regrease but its ok otherwise.


x2, but if you use rubber bushings, use silicone grease (like di-electric/spark plug wire grease) - it won't cause the rubber to swell and degrade like petroleum based products do

[cros]

I know it's sin but please read through the following thread, really excellent reference points in there:

http://www.yotatech.com/f2/addco-anti-swaybar-bushing-solution-117834/

thank for the link. after reading that it looks like im going to be steering away from both ADDCO bars and polyurethane steering rack bushings. it sounds like the best thing to do would be to just buy new rubber OEM bushings for both the front and rear. thoughts? thanks for all the help guys.

[Nuthuts96]

I know it's sin but please read through the following thread, really excellent reference points in there:

http://www.yotatech.com/f2/addco-anti-swaybar-bushing-solution-117834/

thank for the link. after reading that it looks like im going to be steering away from both ADDCO bars and polyurethane steering rack bushings. it sounds like the best thing to do would be to just buy new rubber OEM bushings for both the front and rear. thoughts? thanks for all the help guys.





I believe the "polyurethane bushings" they refer to are the sway bar bushings, not the steering rack bushings...i've heard they can be squeaky, and nothing really to do about them except constant greasing.
plus, i haven't heard a peep from the poly bushings in the steering rack i installed a month and a half ago.

[cros]

I know it's sin but please read through the following thread, really excellent reference points in there:

http://www.yotatech.com/f2/addco-anti-swaybar-bushing-solution-117834/

thank for the link. after reading that it looks like im going to be steering away from both ADDCO bars and polyurethane steering rack bushings. it sounds like the best thing to do would be to just buy new rubber OEM bushings for both the front and rear. thoughts? thanks for all the help guys.





I believe the "polyurethane bushings" they refer to are the sway bar bushings, not the steering rack bushings...i've heard they can be squeaky, and nothing really to do about them except constant greasing.
plus, i haven't heard a peep from the poly bushings in the steering rack i installed a month and a half ago.




*doh* that what i meant to say. yeah the Poly bushing steering rack sounds like a winner...

Im just still kinda up in the air on what to do with the sway bar bushings...

[Nick]

If I were in your place, I would either:

a) get new Toyota OEM bushings for your sway bar. Those won't squeak and they'll likely be firmer then the original bushings that you've got on there, although, it is an 2002 model, so I can't speculate as to how much yours may have degraded over the years. Mine were almost crumbling apart.

I'm currently using the Toyota Tacoma brackets + bushings for my Addco swaybar (yes, it is still on there for the time being) and I've never heard any noise from them.

or, you could,

b) pick up some Energy Suspension greasable bushings that fit the stock sway bar. Those won't squeak provided that you do grease them every few months. As suggested somewhere previously, silicone grease is the best to use. They look something like this:

http://www.wjjeeps.com/sway_addco_02.jpg

From my experience and opinion - I would do the steering rack bushings and new OEM swaybar bushings. You'll notice a difference, it'll fit your budget nicely, you won't have a headache taming new squeaks and noises and you'll be happy.

[MTL_4runner]

I believe the "polyurethane bushings" they refer to are the sway bar bushings, not the steering rack bushings...i've heard they can be squeaky, and nothing really to do about them except constant greasing.
plus, i haven't heard a peep from the poly bushings in the steering rack i installed a month and a half ago.


X2

Poly bushings for the steering rack are a must do mod to tighten up the steering on these trucks (I did mine eons ago and you'll never hear them make any noise if done correctly). For less body roll and no squeaking issues, use the Addco front and rear sway bars and rubber bushings. It's the increased thickness of the sway bar that lessens body roll.

[cros]

If I were in your place, I would either:

a) get new Toyota OEM bushings for your sway bar. Those won't squeak and they'll likely be firmer then the original bushings that you've got on there, although, it is an 2002 model, so I can't speculate as to how much yours may have degraded over the years. Mine were almost crumbling apart.

I'm currently using the Toyota Tacoma brackets + bushings for my Addco swaybar (yes, it is still on there for the time being) and I've never heard any noise from them.

or, you could,

b) pick up some Energy Suspension greasable bushings that fit the stock sway bar. Those won't squeak provided that you do grease them every few months. As suggested somewhere previously, silicone grease is the best to use. They look something like this:

http://www.wjjeeps.com/sway_addco_02.jpg

From my experience and opinion - I would do the steering rack bushings and new OEM swaybar bushings. You'll notice a difference, it'll fit your budget nicely, you won't have a headache taming new squeaks and noises and you'll be happy.


thanks man, yeah, option A sounds like to best route to go. anyone know a part number off hand?

[Nick]

The part number, as far as I know, for the front stabilizer bar bushing(s) is 48815 or 48815‑35100. The brackets, should yours be rusted/cracked are 48824A (right side) and 48828 (left)

:)