Can lift do damage? What to do...

Can lift do damage? What to do...
I bought my 2009 Tundra about a month ago. This is my first truck and I knew nothing about lifts - only that the truck was lifted about 3 inches (by the previous owner), the Toyota dealer said it would not cause any problems and it looks cool.
Recently we've noticed a repetitive noise while driving, which seems to be related to the driver's side front wheel. We took the car to a Toyota tech repair shop. They told us the noise is caused by a wheel bearing in the differential (if I remember correctly). It's not too bad now but eventually it will get worse and lead to an expensive repair.
The mechanic said it could be caused by the lift. He said the lift in our truck is the most commonly used kind - using spacers. He says this is not good for the truck, it causes more wear and tear on the ball joints/suspension. It creates a bumpier ride. And it can lead to steering problems. (He says Toyota did a study on the issue of sudden loss of power steering fluid and lifted trucks have this problem twice as often as unlifted trucks.)
So now we've got to decide what to do:
To remove the lift they charge $300.00, To re align - $100.00, And to buy new rims and tires - $2000.00. This is a big deal for us. We're on a budget.
WHAT TO DO:
1. Remove the lift?
2. Then buy new tires and rims or just new tires? We now have 20' rims and 275/65/20 tires which the dealer installed before we bought the truck. I like the look of the ones we have. My husband wants wider tires. And of course we need what will fit with the truck when it is unlifted.

The noise is getting worse. I think we need to do something soon before more expensive repairs are needed. Help!

 

If you do not off-road all the time I would go get Bilstein 5100 shocks and have them put them on the middle or top setting(they will lift the truck) to clear the tires and then get the wheel bearing fixed. After that you should be good to go. They ride pretty good to in my opinion

 

First, you’ll want to replace that failing bearing in the diff with a solid bushing sold by East Coast Gear Supply, that will cure that issue for the long term, and should be a few hundred or less with installation. If the axleshaft is worn where it runs in the bearing that will add to the cost, but either way that issue needs to addressed, even if you plan to return it to stock. The ECGS way is your best bet in any case.

Then I’d look to upgrade that spacer lift to height adjustable coil-over shocks, Bilstein 5100 series can be had for a few hundred for the set. That can even wait a bit if needed.

And yes, overall, lifting adds to wear and tear, but it’s not all doom and gloom either.

 

Are you running wheel spacers? How many miles are on the truck? Just get the wheel bearing fixed. They go with out lifts etc.., normal wear and tear, not just from a lift, but sometimes it does. People run spacer lifts no issues. Some have problems. Every truck is different. Being yours is 2009, I'm assuming high miles, 10 years old, coils are probably shot, like stated above, 5100s can be bought for $200 for the front and your ride will be alot better

 

The needle bearing on these trucks it's a common problem as they age, the best solution is what @landphil said...replace it with the East Coast Gear Supply 8" clamshell bushing and also get rid of those front spacers and replace them with bilstein 5100's, lot of info here about those bilstein shocks.., ECGS bushing is $60 and the 5100's around $200, find a reputable 4x4 shop in your area and get a quote for the labor, it will be much cheaper than the dealer for sure.

 

Thanks DaBoro54, landphil and Berdine for your replies. Berdine, The truck has 168,000 miles on it. I don't know if it has wheel spacers. This stuff is all new to me. All I know is that the mechanic who saw the truck recently said the lift in our truck is the most commonly used kind - using spacers. I'll think about the Bilstein shocks.

 

See that big block under the spring leafs?? That’s evidence of a spacer lift. This is the rear wheel

 

Does anybody know for sure - if I remove the lift kit, can I use the 20 inch rims I have with 285/55/20 tires without a problem with the wider tire rubbing? The tires I have now are 275/65/20. I don't think I can use them with no lift.

 

Thanks for the photo, Tundra4Pinay. Now I get it. That spacer is huge! I'll take my truck to a shop where they can lift it up and I'll take a look.

 

You can just look thru the wheel well from outside, if it's there you can't miss it!

 

OK. I will when it stops snowing!!! It's snowing in Montana in APRIL - what am I doing here????

 

@LisaM this spacer would be the front of your Tundra

 

Thanks ARamirez73.

 

Ha I remember snow in August one year when I was there. I miss it compared to here.

 

Can someone explain to me how a spacer lift of 3 inches is worse for the bearings than the 5100 lift at max settings? I’m no mechanic but it seems like it be the same thing to me.

 

No difference when we are talking about the diff needle bearing in question here. 3” lift is 3” lift, good, bad or ugly.

That doesn’t mean that spacer lifts are a good idea. Typically they cause the shock to bottom out and self-destruct before the lower control arm contacts the bump stop in a fully-compressed situation. Then your bump stops become your suspension.

 

If you are on a budget I’d do a little home work and remove the lift myself which is very easy....needle bearing isn’t to Bad either....and those tires you mention should Be fine they are 10mm wider but 10mm shorter I don’t see an issue you should clear your UCA’s fine.

If you have to have he mechanic do the labor that’s fine but I’d defiantly get the needle bearing done...the lift isn’t gonna really hurt
The truck all to much but if you are worried just remove it to. I wouldn’t upgrade the lift either unless you plan to be off-roading a bunch etc a spacer is fine for normal driving and light off road use.

 

I am running 275/55R/20 with 20x9 with stock Suspension without any issues from a year

 

Yeah, I thought OP was having a bearing issue and everyone is trying to convince her she needs 5100’s like it will prevent the bearing problem from happening again. Shocks are obviously better than spacers but if using a spacer lift was catastrophic to trucks that don’t offroad they wouldn’t be the most common lift. People are racist against spacers around here. Man invented fire , then the wheel, and then spacer lifts. They been around forever. OP don’t need to replace the spacers with 5100’s unless they plan on off-roading or bottoming out their suspension all around town like a crazy person or maybe just looking for a little smoother ride. And if they plan on off-roading 5100’s aren’t really the best option either.