Toyota 4Runner Suspension Check: What to Inspect Before Your Next Trip

The Toyota 4Runner has earned its reputation by being dependable, comfortable on-road, and incredibly capable off it. But suspension and steering components quietly take a beating—especially if you run larger tires, added weight, or spend time off pavement.

Before heading out on a road trip, trail run, or overland adventure, a quick suspension and steering inspection can save you from uneven tire wear, poor handling, or worse—a failure far from home.

Here’s what we recommend checking on your 4Runner before you roll out.

Shocks, Struts & Coilovers

Your shocks and coilovers control ride quality, braking stability, and overall handling. Worn components often go unnoticed until they’re really worn.

Inspect for:

• Oil leakage around shock bodies

• Loose mounting hardware

• Uneven ride height side-to-side

If your 4Runner feels bouncy, nose-dives under braking, or feels unstable over bumps, it’s time to look closer.

👉 4Runner Suspension Components

https://4runnerlifestyle.com/collections/suspension

Control Arms & Bushings

Upper and lower control arms keep your suspension geometry in check—especially important on lifted 4Runners.

Check:

• Cracked or deteriorated bushings

• Loose or shifting hardware

• Signs of metal-on-metal contact

Worn bushings can cause wandering steering, clunks, and alignment issues.

👉 4Runner Control Arms & Suspension Parts

https://4runnerlifestyle.com/collections/suspension

Steering Components & Tie Rods

Steering issues often show up gradually, which makes them easy to ignore.

Look for:

• Play in inner or outer tie rods

• Torn steering rack boots

• Steering wheel vibration or pulling

If the steering feels vague or loose, don’t ignore it—especially before highway miles or trail use.

👉 4Runner Steering & Suspension Parts

https://4runnerlifestyle.com/collections/suspension

Sway Bars, End Links & Hardware

Sway bar components help control body roll and keep your 4Runner stable in corners and during emergency maneuvers.

Inspect:

• End link bushings

• Broken or bent links

• Loose sway bar brackets

Clunking over small bumps is often a sway bar issue.

👉 4Runner Suspension Accessories

https://4runnerlifestyle.com/collections/suspension

Alignment & Tire Wear Check

Suspension issues often show up in tire wear first.

Before a trip:

• Look for uneven or cupped tire wear

• Check steering wheel centering

• Confirm your alignment is within spec

Ignoring alignment problems can destroy tires fast—especially with all-terrain or mud-terrain setups.

👉 4Runner Wheel & Tire Accessories

https://4runnerlifestyle.com/collections/wheels-tires

Final Thoughts

The 4Runner is legendary for reliability—but suspension and steering components don’t last forever. A quick inspection before your next trip keeps your truck driving straight, riding smooth, and staying dependable when it matters most.

👉 Shop All 4Runner Parts & Accessories

https://4runnerlifestyle.com