Topic: Front axle movement, is this normal?

[schadenfreude]

I have some really loud clicking in my axle when attempting to drive over an obstacle, so I decided to videotape it today using a curb.  What I saw on the tape was worse than what I was expecting, you can see the axle shift when I hit the brakes slightly hard while reversing in order to approach the curb again, and you can see a shift rearward and hear an audible CLICK at one point when I place the wheels against the curb.  I'm new to mini trucks, and I know there was a factory control arm that has been removed from my front axle, which is typical, but is this much movement in your front axle normal, or do I have an issue I need to address?  Thank you.

Link to video: https://youtu.be/mG-cakcKve8

[toyodaaddict]

Is the leaf spring center pin broken ?

[blackdiamond]

Is the leaf spring center pin broken ?

x2

[300k]

Do you even have U-bolts? Dang!

[schadenfreude [OP]]

haha, thanks guys... When I bought the truck, the lift was already installed (4.5" Superlift) and the springs were so new they still had the SKU stickers on them and stuff, so I left them alone while I dealt with the millions of other more obvious issues the truck had at the time.  It had some crazy wiring and actually caught on fire briefly, for example...  So back to the topic, I don't think the center pin would be broken, seeing as these springs are so new, but I think checking if my U-bolts came loose might be a good start.  Maybe they were never properly torqued to begin with, or needed to be re-torqued once the springs broke in.  I like easy fixes!  This truck has always been a side project that I've neglected, until now.  Anyways, now that I'm putting some miles on it, I'm starting to see some drivability issues arise such as this.  Thank you guys again for the help, we'll see if it was something that simple!   

[blackdiamond]

I ran 4.5 superlift springs on my 85. They were great for what they are. The fronts flexed great. What you have is not normal or safe. Check the u-bolts, center pins, and holes in the axle perches.

[schadenfreude [OP]]

Verdict: loose U-bolts.  Everything is great now 

[blackdiamond]

Verdict: loose U-bolts.  Everything is great now 

Did you check the pin or holes in the perch?

[schadenfreude [OP]]

That was my next concern, but fortunately I hadn't been driving it very much since noticing the noise, and I hadn't wheeled it.  Everything appeared to be fine, none of the holes appeared to be ovaled out or anything.  Leaf spring center pin was fine.  On a positive note, This means my springs are finally broke in!  Right in time for my rear shocks to start pissing oil... 

[schadenfreude [OP]]

longer travel shocks were on the to-do list anyways, but it sucks not having rear shocks!  I wish it was 2027 so I could just start building my 4runner... haha!