Lowered truck problems

TundraTaylor · #1 (**permalink**) 09-05-2006, 02:32 AM

I've been running the SOS 2"/4" drop kit for a few months. It was installed by a local shop, not by myself. I recently took it into a different shop because the rear of the truck made a horrible klunking sound and I noticed that a nut was missing off one of the rear shackles. The new shop said that who ever installed the kit originally failed to tighten and lube the truck properly. So after I drove away from this shop the truck rode great. Now a few weeks have passed and I am hearing some type of creaking from the rear and the front is squeaking with each bump. Not speed bumps mind you but any time the shock is compressed even by simple freeway driving. In short my truck sounds like I drive a 1960's International farm truck. The truck is going back to the shop when I get a chance, or should I take it to Toyota? Anyone else who has lowered their truck experienced similar sounds? Or anyone with a knowledge of lowering kits have any idea what is causing this?

TundraTaylor · #2 (**permalink**) 09-05-2006, 02:33 AM

For what it's worth if your're trying to trouble shoot, I'm still running stock 16" wheels and tires and I upgraded to the Tokico shocks that SOS hypes.

n2oiroc · #3 (**permalink**) 11-24-2006, 02:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TundraTaylor

I've been running the SOS 2"/4" drop kit for a few months. It was installed by a local shop, not by myself. I recently took it into a different shop because the rear of the truck made a horrible klunking sound and I noticed that a nut was missing off one of the rear shackles. The new shop said that who ever installed the kit originally failed to tighten and lube the truck properly. So after I drove away from this shop the truck rode great. Now a few weeks have passed and I am hearing some type of creaking from the rear and the front is squeaking with each bump. Not speed bumps mind you but any time the shock is compressed even by simple freeway driving. In short my truck sounds like I drive a 1960's International farm truck. The truck is going back to the shop when I get a chance, or should I take it to Toyota? Anyone else who has lowered their truck experienced similar sounds? Or anyone with a knowledge of lowering kits have any idea what is causing this?

the problem is the rear shackles in the kit. my creaks and groans all the time. this summer its going back to the stock setup except ill remove a leaf and use 1" shackles if i have to, to keep it lowered. im just not sure how to keep the spring pack i one piece after removing the clamps.

big_mike · #4 (**permalink**) 11-27-2006, 03:46 PM

What about lubing the bushing with some grease?

2002toytundra · #5 (**permalink**) 11-29-2006, 10:07 PM

The bushings must be greased I used a synthetic chassis grease (rear drop shackles), additionally the torque applied to the bolts must be correct. If the bolts are over tightened in the front or rear this will cause the squeeks and groans. Not sure about the Tundra front end but on the traditional coil spring and A-arm set ups, the upper coil isolator (doughnut shaped pad) can shift or wear out and it will have a metal on metal squeek that is ungodly.

n2oiroc · #6 (**permalink**) 11-30-2006, 10:20 AM

grease only works for a couple weeks and i tried everything from just seated to torqued to stock spec. its just not a very good design. im not saying sos is junk, the tundra just inst lowering friendly.

maudib · #7 (**permalink**) 11-30-2006, 01:24 PM

Yep, same here. Had the SOS drop for over a year now, always creaks and groans even with constant lubing.

Supercharged03 · #8 (**permalink**) 11-30-2006, 09:43 PM

I have had the SOS drop kit on my truck for several months now without squeaks. In fact, I had squeaks BEFORE installing the kit and now the sqeaks are gone.

There was a TSB or something posted a couple of years ago regarding squeaks that resulted from the shock absorber bushings being installed backwards. You might try looking at this as the source of your squeak.

2002toytundra · #9 (**permalink**) 12-07-2006, 12:18 AM

There has also been some postings about the leaf spring packs creaking. If I remember correctly some had replaced the pads in the packs with Polyeurethane ones.

yotso · #10 (**permalink**) 12-14-2006, 09:44 PM

i just got the sos 2/4 drop installed and it looks great other than the fact that the front looks higher than the rear.looks like an inch or two higher. the perches seem to be installed correctly. is this normal? does the front springs need to get settled in for awhile then it will lower? anyone had/has this problem?

TundraTaylor · #11 (**permalink**) 12-14-2006, 10:13 PM

yotso...i want to say that i thought the same thing at first. now i dont. dunno if they settle or its an optical illusion since youre used to seeing the back end raised. what kind of wheels are you running? or planning on running?

yotso · #12 (**permalink**) 12-15-2006, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TundraTaylor

yotso...i want to say that i thought the same thing at first. now i dont. dunno if they settle or its an optical illusion since youre used to seeing the back end raised. what kind of wheels are you running? or planning on running?

yeh the truck looks level but space in the between the fender makes it look higher. but im running the stock 16's for now and planning to get some 20's or 22's. I saw your truck pics and it looks fine. mine in the other hand, is very noticeable. ill try to get some pics up soon.

yotso · #13 (**permalink**) 01-10-2007, 01:37 AM

finally got the pix of my drop loaded...still needs work. rides well, but very sensitive on the bumps. the rear bumpstops hit and something squeaks but all in all looks good, just waiting for the 22's...

http://www.tundrasolutions.com/photo...0&ppuser=34590

TundraTaylor · #14 (**permalink**) 01-16-2007, 06:01 PM

looks good. i like the height of this kit a lot. low but still looks stock like a lightning or ss. bugs me that guys i work with have stock chevys that look like this off the lot. oh well.