New Member - Control arms or not?

Hello Tundra friends. Took me a while to join. Had a tacoma before, but the kids were complaining the back was too small, so made the switch to the Tundra 1.5 years ago. I have my 2017 limited CM and I'm debating whether I should go with after market control arms or not. I installed 2.5 readylift spacers when the truck had 2k miles. It now has 17k miles and over the summer my suspension started to squeak when going over bumps and dips. I don't know where it's coming from, but I suspect its the bushings on the control arms. Do you guys recommend after market control arms when adding 2.5 inches of lift to the front? The dealer won't look at it and blame it on the level. Thanks in advance.

 

I would recommend it for peace of mind and better alignment numbers. 2.5” is right at the mark for needing them to help out.

 

Welcome from Ohio!

 

Welcome from Texas, some members on here praise the SPC adjustable UCA's

 

Thanks everyone. I've heard of camburg, icon, BDS, but not SPC. I'll have to look into them. Anyone else experience the same issue I'm having with squeaking?

 

Hi and welcome from So.Calif

 

Welcome from CO.

Notice the amounts of white tundras joining lately Ramirez?

 

It's all good PAPI

 

Want some vienna sausage?

 

I eat taco

 

Welcome aboard the Tundra train. I got Total Chaos UCAs, but there are quite a few different ones on the market. Pick a winner and...get some...

 

@COMiamiFan My first choice was gray on black leather, but no one had it. I'm cool with the white on though. @Inquiringone what kind of lift are you running with the TC UCAs?

 

Welcome from NorCal.
All kinds of things can cause squeaks. you might wanna try spraying WD40 on component at a time to locate the culprit. Be sure to check the skid plate, it can cause squeaks. 17K is nothing to these trucks and far too soon to require UCA replacement. Honestly, at 2.5" I would stay with OEM unless you're off roading kinda hard, wanna change geometry, or just want something pretty in the wheel well. Best of luck!

 

Thanks @831Tun My thoughts exactly when it has 17k miles. It shouldn't be making the noise. The squeak sounds like it is coming from the passenger front side. So far, I sprayed the bushing at the bottom of the shock and no luck. Next is the bushings at the top of the UCA. I'm just wondering if the lift and aggressive tires are causing stress on the OEM UCA and bushings.

 

Toyota ran the OEM UCAs in the Baja 1,000. So, I'm thinking they're pretty strong. Of course I agree that bigger tires and lift are gonna cause more stress but I gotta think it's relatively minimal as far as the big picture is concerned. One test is to lift the wheel off the ground and see if there's any play. The coils might cause a squeak, the skid plate, sway bar is worth checking, all ball joints (they do/can seep a little), body mount can squeak, running boards (my sliders get squeaky and it sounds like suspension). WD 40 should help you locate the you locate the source.
BTW, don't let @jberry catch you referring to our coil over as struts, he might throw his ban hammer at ya.

 

Just finish reading that post.. Where I learned what UCA stands for... Now gotta go Google SPC..Around here is Saint Pete College..

 

WELCOME

 

Welcome from NY.

 

Update: it took a little bit of driving for the silicone spray to get into the shock mount bushings, but the squeak did go away. Took it to a local tire shop and they said the whole shock needs to be replaced. Suggested I take it back to the dealer since it’s still under warranty. Hopefully they don’t push back with the spacer on on there and just swap them out.

 

Curious to how you came out with the dealership?

 

I took it to the dealer on Tuesday and they will not cover the shocks because they have the spacers attached to them. I spoke to the tech who also drives a tundra and he said the stock shocks are so bad he doesn't know why Toyota uses them. The trucks are too heavy for them. He told me I'm better off replacing them with after market bilsteins, but I think I'm going to go with an Icon Stage 1 system. They are on sale now through cyber Monday for 20% off.

 

Guess I never followed up on this. I removed all of my stock shocks along with the readylift spacers I had on the front and swapped out with Icons all around and an Icon leaf pack in the back. Also swapped out the stock UCAs and replaced them with TC UCAs. The spacers in the front messed up my stock shocks and were causing the squeak. No more squeak, but now my truck looks like it skipped leg day with the extra lift on it. Time to remove the 33's and add some 35's.

 

How do you feel about the ride quality with the Icons?

 

I have to say they're really solid. Truck feels much more stable. No more trampoline type feel and the truck just recovers nicely when hitting bumps. I have yet to test offroad.

 

any pictures of the new set up ?

 

Welcome from Northeast Connecticut

 

Good to know. I have had icons on a FJ and 4runner.