'08 4WD Steering Wobble

[Bigshankhank]

Hello, I bought my 08 4WD SR5 a few months ago with 88k on the clock. Pretty much all stock from what I can see. The tires are not the factory originals but are nearing the end of their service life (in fact, the fronts are even with the wear indicators). In the past three weeks I have noticed a quick pull to the passenger side, it is mainly noticeable at low speeds but it fades as speed increases. It happens at a regular interval (seems to be at the same point in the tire rotation) which leads me to believe, well, it is related to the worn out tires. While driving, slowing to a stop with my hands off the wheel the steering wheel itself pulls to the right then returns to its original position. I have been searching and reading threads about control arm and steering bushings and am wondering if I am wrong about the tires being the culprit. I am going to replace them in the very near future regardless, but if I need to prepare myself for some suspension work I may do that first so that the tire shop alignment is worthwhile.
How could I check these bushings? Any thoughts?

 

[Bigshankhank]

Nothing? At least point me in a direction?

 

[fdbyrne]

You need new tires anyway. Start there. Get the alignment checked too.

If you still have a problem afterwards, then worry about it. Next down the line would be a brake issue or a bearing going out, but there are definitely other possibilities.

 

[Oneluv13T4R]

steering wobble

Does it pull to the passenger side when your slowing down, touching the brake?
If so it could be a seized piston in the brake caliper...
Uneven wear in brake pads..
It could be a warped rotor...
It could be your steering rack..
Tie rod ends..
See any damage on the rims..
Or like stated just some worn out tires..
Put it up on some jack stands and spin your tires see if theres a wobble, hear and rubbing of brake pads and rotors, with one hand turn your steering wheel side to side and see if there and play in it and play in the steering rack bushings as your looking under your vehicle..

Cheap and easy check would be to have tires rotated and balanced to see if it changes in anyway

Good Luck..

 

[jmoskow]

New tires and alignment.

 

[Bigshankhank]

I figured as much, tires first. Thanks. I wish I could get some good A/T tires but I am driving about 1000 miles a week crossing the East to West coasts of Florida and I need some primarily highway tires. I had BFG A/T KOs on my old Dodge 4x4 and they lasted over 70k miles, but I don't have the dosh for a set of those right now. This may be a good excuse to get a spare set of wheels...

 

[Bigshankhank]

Well turns out the cheap tires from the PO are the sole source of this problem. The front passenger tire tread had separated from the core in one small section, perhaps even popping a steel belt, causing a deformation of the tire and the resultant wobble. Good times.

 

[Ralph Blake]

With 88K on the 08 runner I am betting, the seller did not invest in any front end repairs. Most people don't spend money on repairs and then just sell off.
My first stop would be to a good front end shop,and see what they recommend.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

Well turns out the cheap tires from the PO are the sole source of this problem. The front passenger tire tread had separated from the core in one small section, perhaps even popping a steel belt, causing a deformation of the tire and the resultant wobble. Good times.

You get what you pay for unfortunately, I try to point out to many customers and people that there's a handful of things you should never cheap out on.

-Tires
-Brakes
-Suspension
-Engine Oil/Filter/Oil Change

The first 3 are the most important as those are what keeps you planted on the road and stops the vehicle, you don't want some cheap part to work half-assed when you need it most. The last is cheap insurance for longevity of your engine.