Front passenger side and makes a very loud screeching front struts?

AMBER ARNOLD

MEMBER
2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER
3.4L
V6
2WD
AUTOMATIC
291,377 MILES

Leans down on the front passenger side and makes a very loud screeching/squealing/ squeaking sound coming from the wheel area. Feel every bump in the road. Feels line tires are hitting the fender or firewall. When I move the steering wheel either direction it isn't as bad. Feels like the body or the frame is sitting directly on the tires. Front end dips down. Won't hold an alignment.

All of the following have been replaced within the past 2 months:

Wheel bearings
Wheel studs and lugs
Tires
Brake pads
Brake shoes
Brake rotors
Brake booster
Inner tie rods
Outer tie rods
Sway bar end links
Rack and pinion
Rack and pinion bushings

Nothing visually noticeable appears broken damaged or missing without jacking up the vehicle.

3 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,747 POSTS

It sounds like the struts are broken. The struts have coil springs attached to them. If the coil has broken, it won't support the weight of the vehicle. Also, I don't know where you are located, but if rust is an issue, open the hood and check where the struts mount to the strut tower. Make sure nothing is broken there.

I attached a pic below that shows the strut assembly and I highlighted the coil. Take a look at it and then check those on your vehicle. If possible, take a few pics of what you are dealing with so I can see it.

Note that everything you have replaced is not part of the suspension that holds the vehicle's weight. However, I'm surprised a problem wasn't noticed if it is sitting as you described.

Let me know.
Joe

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Sunday, November 1st, 2020 AT 7:50 PM

AMBER ARNOLD

MEMBER
2 POSTS

Thank you for your response Joe. To answer your questions: I live in Atlanta, GA. It's very humid here but there's rarely frozen precipitation in the winter so no salt on the road to cause excessive corrosion. I took a few photos of what I could see. I am uploading the ones with a more detailed view of everything along with thew front view of the vehicle showing the sagging on the passenger side. I can almost see the lower control arm on the passenger side droop slightly lower than the driver's side. Though it may just be me. I looked at the coil spring on both sides and neither appear to be broken, cracked, or bent to the best of my knowledge. Take a look through the photos and let me know what you think.

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Monday, November 2nd, 2020 AT 1:56 PM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,747 POSTS

Hi,

The pics are perfect. Interestingly, like you I see nothing broken. I do see less rust than a one-year-old car here in PA. LOL

Can you get a pic of the vehicle from the side so I can see how low it is sitting?

Sorry, you already took so many. I just want to see how much difference there is. It could simply be a weak coil spring.

Joe

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Monday, November 2nd, 2020 AT 6:18 PM