Hello everyone ... Okay I need your help.
First here are my specs:
2004 SR5 Base V8 RWD
34K original, 1 owner miles (I'm the 2nd owner) condition is like new.
Tires: 4 Michelin LTX MS2, P265/70 R 16 – majority of tread left.
The 4Runner was exhibiting a bit of wandering on the highway, slight groove and bump steering. Not bad as some of the threads I've read where it dangerously hops lanes when it hits a bump. Mine is slight. Also excessive lean in turns.
So... I figured it was the alignment as the pre-purchase inspection indicated front end needed aligned. I had it aligned at Toyota and handled slightly better but didn't completely fix it. My second guess, as well as other suggestions on here, it was most likely the nearly 15 year old shocks.
The replaced parts:
NEW Bilstein shocks
NEW rubber shock bushings
NEW top mounts
NEW rubber spring seats
NEW 2nd alignment
The tech said the original shocks were not leaking and showed no signs of failure.
With new Bilstien's and busihings handling has improved, and cornering is tighter. However the power steering seems a bit too easy at highways speeds and not as tight and precise as I'd hoped for. Hitting grooves in the road and it tends to sligtly steers into them, not over them, and I'm constantly correcting back and forth with the steering wheel. It's not as tight and confidence inspiring like other vehicles I've owned.
All the treads I read on the subject suggest:
- Ball joints
- Tie rod ends inner and outer
- Stabilizer bar bushings
- Wheel bearings
- Control arm bushings
- Steering wheel intermediate shaft
All of these are in good condition according to the Toyota pre-purchase inspection, as they should be with such extraordinarlly low miles, garage kept, and never abused or off-roaded. I'm assuming the Toyota tech did his due diligence and properly checked the steering components.
Is this just how the 4Runners handle by design? I've never owned one before so I don't know.
Could it be as simple as the tires? I see that Michelin has recalled some LTX MS2 tires, but my DOT codes are not part of that recall.
https://www.michelinman.com/US/en/he...tude-tour.html
Any suggestions are appreciated.
Thanks!