What did you do with your GMT400 today...or yesterday....

[Big T]

Excuse me sir, you can’t park there

Well I did. I backed up there to clear the lane in the parking lot. It worked.

Suddenly this job jumped to the front of the line in front of upper and lower control arms on my wife’s 2014 4Runner. Can’t do any work in the yard as it’s too muddy from all the rain.

 

[Paveltolz]

At least, when it happened, you weren't approaching a 90 degree curve to the left with a truck that suddenly only goes straight...through the curve's run off gravel...towards a steep drop off.


Good thing it wasn't at night in late November and snowing...no...wait.....

 

[Big T]

At least, when it happened, you weren't approaching a 90 degree curve to the left with a truck that suddenly only goes straight...through the curve's run off gravel...towards a steep drop off.
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Good thing it wasn't at night in late November and snowing...no...wait.....

I said the same. I was lucky.

 

[Big T]

I said the same. I was lucky.

I guess there’s always a first.

 

[Big T]

Made some progress today. Just need to remove the LCAs. I have a pair of forged LCAs already prepped with Energy Suspension bushings and Moog ball joints. Install those and then ream the replacement knuckles and I’m putting it back together.

 

[dbrannon79]

That was a clean break. did you hit something to cause that?

 

[Big T]

That was a clean break. did you hit something to cause that?

It was due to fatigue. I overdid the ream in the knuckle for the GMT-800 brake conversion and ended up with looseness there which caused wheel wobble and vibration at highway speed and obviously metal fatigue in the tie rod.

Second half of this video shows the play in the tie rod that I was experiencing:

 

[MrMarty51]

When backing up My truck, any slight imperfection on the ground, something in the steering makes a hella pop sound and can be felt on the steer weeeel.
Not sure which side.
Thinking I’ll take it to the alignment shop and have them check it out then replace everything they mention.
It is due for new tires, getting smaller tires so then the front end can be dropped a bunch, then an alignment job and maybe they then can adjust out the slight RH pull.

 

[Big T]

I call this the “Hillary Step” of Lower Control Arm removal. Driver’s side rear bolt is impeded by the CV axle flange on the front differential. Passenger side is not. Have to undo, lower and pry the diff over to the passenger side to clear that rear bolt. It is like a limbo dance.

 

[Big T]

Success, both LCAs are off. I can now start putting this back together.

 

[Big T]

Found some additional damage. In the process of breaking the tie rod, it also broke the sway bar. Should I buy new or harvest one from a boneyard?

 

[MrMarty51]

Success, both LCAs are off. I can now start putting this back together.

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How can You be doing so much work when You are so stuffed fulla turkey and trimmings.

 

[MrMarty51]

Found some additional damage. In the process of breaking the tie rod, it also broke the sway bar. Should I buy new or harvest one from a boneyard?

Whats the fractured end look like, maybe fatigued ? ? ? ?
I dont think so, just curious.

 

[Big T]

How can You be doing so much work when You are so stuffed fulla turkey and trimmings.

Dinner is not until 6:00 pm at my brother’s place in Corona Del Mar. I can’t really stuff myself with food anymore.

 

[MrMarty51]

Dinner is not until 6:00 pm at my brother’s place in Corona Del Mar. I can’t really stuff myself with food anymore.

Me too. One smallish platter and I’m done.
A slice of pie puts it over the limits.

 

[Big T]

Whats the fractured end look like, maybe fatigued ? ? ? ?
I dont think so, just curious.

By the presence of rust on that break edge, it must have been cracked from fatigue for awhile:

 

[MrMarty51]

By the presence of rust on that break edge, it must have been cracked from fatigue for awhile:

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Why have I always been thinking them things is always been a solid bar ? ? ? ?

 

[Big T]

Why have I always been thinking them things is always been a solid bar ? ? ? ?

I ordered a new Mevotech Sway Bar assembly from PartsGeek.com

 

[MrMarty51]

I need to get to the garage and check steer components on my truck.
Figure what that pop feel/sound is coming from.
Oh wait, I’m too full right now.
Maybe tomorrow, 80% chance of rain. That will be much better.

 

[MrMarty51]

Also got a replacement 30 PSI sending unit for the FP gauge from GlowShift.
Get that installed and see how long it will last.
If they dont want it back the flange will get ground off and then the rheostat within will get scrutinized and picked apart to figure out why this one was a failure.
I am certain now that this replacement will last as long as the rest of the wehicle as I also ordered in another spare unit for when the replacement fails.