Just bought a 98 4runner with 175k miles. Everything is in great shape but the steering seems to be loose and the truck seems to really float on the road...almost feels like shocks are done for. I'm not really familiar with how these vehicles are supposed to feel behind the wheel. Could somebody give me some ideas as to what I might be looking at here for maintenance/repairs?
1998 4runner feels like a boat...
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BrianSD_42
New member
@ 175k miles
* The original steering rack on almost ANY vehicle will be blown, aka need replaced. Fix: $400 - $600
* The entire original suspension will also be done for. You will need new shocks, coils for front and rear. Price: I'm not sure exactly but if you do a search in this site for "factory suspension part numbers" you will can locate the parts and then buy them online.
Google: Camelback Toyota Online Parts
That is where you want to buy parts. 20% off retail, real Toyota parts, no tax, mostly free shipping.
:yo:
* The original steering rack on almost ANY vehicle will be blown, aka need replaced. Fix: $400 - $600
* The entire original suspension will also be done for. You will need new shocks, coils for front and rear. Price: I'm not sure exactly but if you do a search in this site for "factory suspension part numbers" you will can locate the parts and then buy them online.
Google: Camelback Toyota Online Parts
That is where you want to buy parts. 20% off retail, real Toyota parts, no tax, mostly free shipping.
:yo:
kernel.panik
New member
Check that your sway bar bushings front and rear are ok and not rotten or missing.
Try the bounce test (push down hard on each corner of the truck and see how many times it bounces before coming to rest) should be 1.5 to 2 times I think.
Could also at that age be almost any control surface, upper / lower control arm bushings and whatever the rear equivalent is (don't remember the names).
Try the bounce test (push down hard on each corner of the truck and see how many times it bounces before coming to rest) should be 1.5 to 2 times I think.
Could also at that age be almost any control surface, upper / lower control arm bushings and whatever the rear equivalent is (don't remember the names).
kernel.panik
New member
Awww, Brian beat me to it...
Also, check the tire pressure in your tires.
"P" rated tires (if you have them) are horrible if they are under-inflated.
Also, check the tire pressure in your tires.
"P" rated tires (if you have them) are horrible if they are under-inflated.
BrianSD_42
New member
98 4Runner with 175k miles, no mods, and no need to be turned into a full time wheeling camping vehicle is a great DRIVE IT TILL IT DIES ... Vehicle.
You can replace the shocks and steering on the cheap. Use NAPA parts, not AUTOZONE. Avoid MOOG Brand like the ebola virus.
I bet you can get the parts for the suspension for < $400 and another $ 400 for the steering rack.
Do the work yourself.
You can replace the shocks and steering on the cheap. Use NAPA parts, not AUTOZONE. Avoid MOOG Brand like the ebola virus.
I bet you can get the parts for the suspension for < $400 and another $ 400 for the steering rack.
Do the work yourself.
1999 Toyota 4Runner SR5 Front Upper Lower Ball Joints Sway Bar Link Rack Ends | eBay
Does anyone know if this is a decent deal? It seems like it comes with alot of the parts I might need to try and fix this steering/suspension issue.
Does anyone know if this is a decent deal? It seems like it comes with alot of the parts I might need to try and fix this steering/suspension issue.
1985taylor1925
Senior Member
Yeah the racks on these do go bad like Brian said. Mine was bad when I bought the truck at 160k miles. But I wouldnt go replacing everything in the front end just yet.
What do you have for maintenance records?
What maintenance has been done on the front end and at what mileage?
How much experience do you have with auto maintenance?
I would start by diagnosing issues in the front end. Sounds like your shocks and coils will need to be replaced. Most likely your rack. But make sure the rack is bad first. I would start by just replacing the rack bushings as the above post mentioned. Then start diagnosing everything else . . . ball joints, tie rods, a arm bushings, cvs, bearing, etc. if need be
TheKorstjens
New member
Yea like others have said....start small...bushings in sway bars and such, steering rack bushings. All can be had from wheelers offroad for less than 50 bucks if I remember correctly. Then shocks probably. Last steering rack only if really NEEDED. Mine is still great at 169000 after I got the other tidbits done truck drives like new.
bubbaleenc
New member
Another oft-overlooked maintenance item is the power steering fluid. Look to see what color it is. If it isn't Auto Transmission Red anymore, it really needs to be changed.
I discovered on a trail one day that my power steering fluid was cavitating which caused very sloppy steering feel. Once I got on firm roads, the problem "cured" itself. I flushed it (really easy instructions on this forum) and haven't felt the mushy steering since.
...That isn't to say your suspension & bushings don't need attention also! At your mileage, it is highly likely it all needs attention!
I discovered on a trail one day that my power steering fluid was cavitating which caused very sloppy steering feel. Once I got on firm roads, the problem "cured" itself. I flushed it (really easy instructions on this forum) and haven't felt the mushy steering since.
...That isn't to say your suspension & bushings don't need attention also! At your mileage, it is highly likely it all needs attention!
TXRick
New member
This is what I did. My steering feels new with the new bushings and properly adjusted rack guide. I probably need a new rack but this seems to be working so far.
Over Christmas break my dad got a lifted (rough country spacer lift) 4runner. He hated the lift and tires. So, I took off the crappy lift, replace the lbj, outer tre, shocks and springs with mostly Toyota parts. Rides like a dream.
Keep it and drive it, drive it, drive it.
