So my buddy came over with this fancy tool that mimics tire sizes to see what rubs and whatnot. I took off one of the front Swampers (man, those things are heavy) and bolted this gizmo on.

That was supposed to be the extent of it, but...

The first thing that was glaringly obvious was the rotor was grooved. Other side was same-same. Next was the tie rod ends were shot- I don't mean a little sloppy, I mean oh-my-goodness shot. Also found a coolant leak. She was already parked awaiting new tires, but she's definitely grounded until I can take care of these issues. Looks like it's time to go through the front end.

So, what kind of things have you found when you weren't actually looking for them?

 

my favorite was i hear a noise coming from my front end one day looked expecting a bushing on my front leaf to be gone......... wrong front end fluid everywhere.. poped both inner seals. and on top of those needed a new hub assembly for pass side

 

I went to remove the bedliner out of my new to me; previouse work truck to do the roll on Herculiner.... and found 13 holes in the damn bed.... from lil 2" square holes, to where the overload springs busted through with the rear shackel hanger.... imagine my surprise

 

Installing my Hellwig rear sway bar and noticed wet oil spot from the front of the pumpkin. Pinion seal leak.

Also, washing my Ex and found paint flaking off the roof and rust underneath the paint.

 

These are the kinds of things that happen when a backyard mechanic puts oversized tires on a truck and doesn't properly maintain the vehicle.

You are very lucky a tie rod end didn't let go, it could have killed someone.

Did you just buy the truck?

If so why didn't you look closer at the running gear?

Maybe states should have mandatory safety inspections, especially on altered vehicles because of things like this.

I have a 2000 F250 with 242,000 miles, the tie rod ends are in good condition, the reason I know this is because I check things like this, also it has always had stock sized tires on it, the over sized tires put more stress on suspension and stearing parts than they were designed for.

It amazes me that as Building Conractor have to be Licensed by the state, which is fine with me, but anyone can jack up a truck and drive it down the road putting peoples lives in jeapoardy, also mechanic shops don't have to be licensed and people can alter vehicles without having to provide any engineering.

If I have to repair a web on a truss, I have to have an engineer seal the repair, and that doesn't put peoples lives in possible danger the way people with jacked up trucks do.

I am glad you got lucky and caught it before someone got seriously hurt or killed.

 

I was checking my oil last weekend and found 2 sparrows cooked on the passenger valve cover. Nothing really wrong but a real joy to poke and pull getting all the bits out from under the cac pipe

 

Wow...really glad you found these before something came apart! I'm not as good at checking this kind of thing as often as I should, and this is a great reminder for me to get better at this!

I would LOVE to see pics of this!

 

Mine just happened a few months ago. I was doing my ball joints and midway through doing the second side I discovered that my hub bearing on the driver’s side was going bad. My weekend repair turned into a multi-week repair (due to ordering parts) costing three times as much as I was planning. Then to top things off, after sitting for over a month and starting it up I discovered antifreeze steaming and burning off the ram’s horn meaning my ongoing mystery coolant leak is somewhere in the back of my engine. It’s a very very slow leak so I still haven’t fixed it. I’ve had similar things happen on other vehicles, usually during oil changes, but this one has to be the most expensive one I’ve discovered.

 

So when I purchased my current truck I looked over all the mechanical things and looked for rust. Looked good so I signed the dotted line and took it home (mind you this was a 3 week process I didnt just go and buy). Get home and just before bed I forgot something in the truck. Go out open the door and its dark. I was like "Oh boy why aren't these lights on" Said screw it and check in the next day. Get out in the truck open the overhead light fixtures and no bulbs.... Wow easy fix. Put the map bulbs in turned the truck on........the interior lights were flashing, yes flashing like your turn signal and constantly no stop never turning off unless the key was out. Had bad GEM fix under warranty. My key fobs lock the doors but don't make the horn beep. Had it fixed at the same time but immediately after shut down still don't work. Oh well hopefully thats all!! Dummy me just didn't check the obvious but who notices lights during daylight hours?? Obvioulsy not me!!

Not sure if that totally qualifies what you are looking for but it was weird for sure!

 

So you want more government regulations and involvement for an inspection program? No thanks...

 

Doing my regular break check when doing my oil change and was feeling good, pads were in great shape, rotors were great.... then I checked the back side of the rotors and both sides had rusted grooves in them on both trucks. Almost identical rust grooves on the back sides of the rotors. New rotors and pads followed. UGH

 

DELETE
....

 

Started out to change oil. Ended up:

Replacing all injectors
Replacing IDM
Sending PCM to RiffRaf for flash
Replaced HPOP with T-500
Replaced ICP with new one
Replaced IFR with new one
Rebuilt fuel bowl
Replaced water pump
Replaced all radiator hoses
Replaced fan belt
Sent radiator out for flush
Drained TC
Drained trans
Drained transfer case
Replaced front shocks
Rebuilt front brakes
Replaced front axle seals including internal ones that required me to remove differential
Replaced all four tires
Recovered front seat with new seat cover.

Still waiting for my PCM back and still need to rear brakes and change rear differential fluid.

Expect next drive to be real fun!

 

Not IFR, IPR

Sorry for fat fingers

 

Yes, I just bought the truck. No, I didn't look too closely at the suspension, and here's why- Extended cab 4x4 that runs great for less than $4000. I just expected before even looking at it that I would have some front-end work ahead of me. I just didn't know it was worn this bad. When I seen the for-sale pic and it had 36" tires (Swampers at that), combined with the mileage, I just went ahead with the knowledge that I'd be rebuilding the front end. For what SD's go for around here, I'd say I still got a sweet deal.

The truck is currently parked anyway due to tires, and I had already planned to go through the front end for the sake of protecting the investment in new tires. But yes, people really should be mindful of this stuff with lifted trucks.