80 Series 4" Lift Disaster Help...

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Well if they were the correct height he wouldn't need to Goober all that crap together

Are the springs new and are they for a Land Cruiser ?

These are heavy pigs so my concern would be the handling with those springs Yes you could just correct caster and fix all the broken pieces it's a cobble but if cobbled well and it pleases you I guess it could work

I would still want some educated eyes to look it over and see what else he may have mucked up
 
LandCruisinMy93 said:
You're not going to easily correct alignment and your tie Rod has one nut on each side so saying 2 out of 4 bolts broke off leaves me to believe....and I mean this in the nicest way...that you don't know enough to make a logical judgment call. If you don't know basic terminology and can't properly convey what is broken and what was done etc... You shouldn't be making safety judgments about that turds work. At a minimum you need to replace the spring mount hats and get rid of those pipe perches. If you can't get a set of hats I will cut some off and send them to you. You're not just puting yourself in danger by "just finishing the job" you're putting anyone else on the road with you or around you in danger. The spring perches are sheet metal, they aren't meant to have a lever welded to them all the force going through those springs leverage those janky platforms back and forth which will someday cause massive failure. Same as breaking a coat hanger. I know you just want it done, but that's not the attitude to have when it comes to yours and others safety. Take it to a reputable shop, have them repair it and SUE that guy for the original job plus having it fixed properly.
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Valid points for sure on the platforms. On the "tie rod", I'm referring to the tie-rod boot which is what Boss Trail told me to call it technically so others knew what I was referring to. =) Here's what I'm talking about...note the missing bolt, which the same guy who did the lift, redid the boots, fun huh?
49790317611__4EF9ACF5-8DA0-41A5-8728-6C333E0A6D04%201_zpssayqs9ve.jpg
 
That is not the tie rod boot.

Not sure how he fxxxed that up. That is something YOU need to check before and after wheeling. They can sometimes loosen up. I doubt he messed with that to do tie rods. If those completely loosen up and shear off on a winding mountain road. Put your head between your legs and kiss your ass goodby.

Buy a 17mm wrench and keep in glove compartment. For the Knuckle studs.
 
djzimms said:
Valid points for sure on the platforms. On the "tie rod", I'm referring to the tie-rod boot which is what Boss Trail told me to call it technically so others knew what I was referring to. =) Here's what I'm talking about...note the missing bolt, which the same guy who did the lift, redid the boots, fun huh?
49790317611__4EF9ACF5-8DA0-41A5-8728-6C333E0A6D04%201_zpssayqs9ve.jpg
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So my original assumption on my first post is correct. Not a tie Rod end, your tie Rod end isn't even in that picture. Your lower trunnion/steering arm are pictured. Those bolts on occasion have been known to break or come out. Probably was loose and when it took a side load wheeling it broke. What you have is birf soup coming out the knuckle wiper seals. Meaning your inner axle seal is bad, probably from the lower steering arm coming loose.
 
LandCruisinMy93 said:
So my original assumption on my first post is correct. Not a tie Rod end, your tie Rod end isn't even in that picture. Your lower trunnion/steering arm are pictured. Those bolts on occasion have been known to break or come out. Probably was loose and when it took a side load wheeling it broke. What you have is birf soup coming out the knuckle wiper seals. Meaning your inner axle seal is bad, probably from the lower steering arm coming loose.
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Well, in that case, probably not good to go with Trail Boss who called it that... =)
 
I suggest you post in the copper state cruisers club house and ask a local member to come by and assess the damage.

And ask some local members who they trust to put your rig back together.

Or you can PM Tools R Us or Inkpot to see when they can fit you in and then flatbed your rig up to Mesa.

Then call a lawyer.
 
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Lmao.....H@ly sheeit......sorry man, but this is unbelievable.......I'd park that rig and have a mechanic come over and assess all the damage... i wouldn't drive that thing around the block.... Expensive lessen learned.....
 
Not trying to poke, but you own a cruiser and like a fair amount of new owners they rather have it look cool then spend the time or money to do a good base line and overhaul of things. But in the short term saving $200 seemed worth it. Been there before, but luckily not as bad.
 
Yeah man, I don't want to jump on the bandwagon, but if those studs break, you will lose steering. If you are on a hwy or residential zone, with no steering, it could get really bad. I would certainly park it until you can find a reputable mechanic that actually knows what they are doing....

djzimms said:
Valid points for sure on the platforms. On the "tie rod", I'm referring to the tie-rod boot which is what Boss Trail told me to call it technically so others knew what I was referring to. =) Here's what I'm talking about...note the missing bolt, which the same guy who did the lift, redid the boots, fun huh?
49790317611__4EF9ACF5-8DA0-41A5-8728-6C333E0A6D04%201_zpssayqs9ve.jpg
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Document all this joker butchered - and as others have mentioned, park it until it can all be corrected.

I am betting laws differ by state, but a mechanic has to be expressly given the "blank check" authorization in writing here in WA. Otherwise, it's a situation where they diagnose & call before any work starts, and there's got to be communication if the quote exceeds a certain percentage (15% I think).

I hate involving lawyers but what this guy did to you was criminal and he's left you in a position where you could easily lose control & cause damage both bodily & property. He stole your money & really botched your desired outcome.

At the very least use small claims court & get some of your money back - small claims court again max $$$ is a state by state thing & you can make your case just by simply consulting a local attorney for a 1hr fee & have him lay out court proceedure in your district.

We need a "wall of shame" for guys like the shop owner - I'm reminded I'm glad I do all my own work.
 
djzimms said:
I'm thinking the springs are likely the correct height, the shocks definitely need to be replaced.
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From what can be seen, I would guess the springs are stock, just spaced, less than ideal.

djzimms said:
starting over?
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Depends on what you want to end up with? I would use proper lift springs for what you want, matching shocks and the other parts needed to make a solid rig. One of the problems with Cruisers is, they are somewhat unique, most off road, jeep type shops don't get it. As can be seen by the botched knuckle job, if they don't even know what to call them, how would you expect them to correctly do, what is a unique, precise job. It can be slapped together, but don't expect it to be durable, as this example showed.
 
scottryana said:
Yeah man, I don't want to jump on the bandwagon, but if those studs break, you will lose steering. If you are on a hwy or residential zone, with no steering, it could get really bad. I would certainly park it until you can find a reputable mechanic that actually knows what they are doing....
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That pic was prior to having a group drill out the broken portion of the bolt and replace it with another bolt.
 
djzimms said:
That pic was prior to having a group drill out the broken portion of the bolt and replace it with another bolt.
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Hope they didn't put a bolt in there, that takes a special stud, cone washer, flat washer and nut, not generic hardware.
 
Tools R Us said:
From what can be seen, I would guess the springs are stock, just spaced, less than ideal.



Depends on what you want to end up with? I would use proper lift springs for what you want, matching shocks and the other parts needed to make a solid rig. One of the problems with Cruisers is, they are somewhat unique, most off road, jeep type shops don't get it. As can be seen by the botched knuckle job, if they don't even know what to call them, how would you expect them to correctly do, what is a unique, precise job. It can be slapped together, but don't expect it to be durable, as this example showed.
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He definitely bought new springs (no idea brand or manufacturer), and they were the same height as the stock ones, but quite a bit thicker.
 
djzimms said:
This all really sucks, I feel so stuck.
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Does your 80 have factory lockers? I ask because if you don't you can find the whole differential/housing assemblies quite cheap.. Not that bad of a job to straight swap, but a little time consuming..
 
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