Strut Shim and Sway Bar Bushings

Last year I put on Bilstein 5100s front and back and leveled the front. When I did so I added a shim to the top of the driver front strut to make the front level left to right. This is causing me to burn through sway bar bushings on the front left bushing. Should I add a couple washers in between that bushing and the cross member to correct that angle? Also might just get rid of the sway bar altogether.

 

You can buy actual sway bar spacer blocks to fit. Google something like Readylift sway bar spacer Tundra and it will get you started looking at options.

 

Never heard of that. The spacer on top of the shock doesn’t change the geometry of the LCA where it attaches too.

 

I would think that extra 1/2 in on that side would cause the lower control arm to be pushed on more than the passenger side, causing a slight pinch on the rubber bushing. With that 1/2 inch it’s probably just over 2” of extension on that side so I probably need the spacers anyway.

 

More than likely, the alignment is the issue. Leveled tundras are a dime a dozen, and I’ve never seen this particular issue due to the lift. I’ve been running a level with a shim on the driver side for over 100k miles and have zero issues. The spacer for the sway bar is only needed when you’re lifting the front more than 4” and using a drop bracket lift kit.

 

Ok. I’m due for new tires so when I get them to put on tires I’ll have them check the alignment as well.

 

Best to dump the shim idea and use adjustable coilovers to achieve what you are trying to do.

 

Yeah that’s my next step. Probably will in a couple years.

 

https://accutuneoffroad.com/article...VfUyIJ2KL42mF3ro32InIT8tST-vPIhAnhXsGs2oGHUqr

 

Oh wow. So those 5100s aren’t doing me any favors. Not that I do much off-roading but occasionally I do go down a bumpy dirt trail. Any recommendations for medium use? Was looking at Eibach’s but that’s really a similar setup but maybe a step up. Can I preload something like a 6112? Or should I just go straight to Icon’s?

 

on a budget? Check out Fat Bob's Garage Vated adjustable coilovers. Got them on my own truck and it's got heavy Ranchhand Summit series bumpers too, plus other heavy chit. No regrets.