JCMatthews
Tour Guide
I drive an '05 DC Tundra. I have lifted the front 2" using Bilstein 5100 adjustable shocks, and the rear is lifted 1.5" via add-a-leaf springs. It mostly is driven on pavement with a rare off road excursion which is mostly smooth gas well or FS roads. Last July I posted about sway bar links because I noticed that both of the front links were broken. In the spring, I had taken it to the Dollhouse in the Maze District of Canyonlands and Elephant Hill in the Needles District of Canyonlands. I was a little shocked, but the trails were difficult enough for a heavy full size truck and figured the next time I took it on a rough trail, I would remove the links before they could break. Tonight I went out with my son on a series of gas field roads in the western end of the book cliffs that are to the north of our home. We saw a few deer, and enjoyed being out. About a mile from home, I decided to climb a hill that I have climbed in several stock vehicles, I ncluding my Tundra, many times. The line I chose required me to drop my front tire into a shallow ditch, and then turn hard left to climb the hill. I heard a pop as I dropped the left tire into the ditch. I was not sure what it was, but it did not sound right. I was able to easily climb the front left tire out of the ditch, but as the right side started to climb up, I lost four wheel drive. I was not sure what was going on, and tried a different line with the same problem, no four wheel drive. I backed up onto level ground to see what was wrong, and found a horrifying site. When my front left tire went down into the ditch, it broke the top off of the passenger link. When my link snapped it angled forward. Then the suspension articulated allowing the link to stab through the CV boot into the CV joint tearing it apart. I will not know the extent of the damage until tomorrow in the day light when it can be torn down and inspected. I hope that the axle shaft it not damaged, but you know Murphy. Luckily when it happened I was at a point where I could back out, and very close to home. I have thought about how many remote places I have been over the years, and how catastrophic this could have been. I don't understand why Toyota did not design a stronger link. Last spring when the links were broken and not attached I did not notice and adverse steering issues, and will more than likely remove the entire front sway bar, until I am able to find and afford a reliable fix. Here is the only picture I have. It shows the broken link resting on the tie rod, and a hole in the grease covered CV boot.
Attachments
Last edited: