1998 4runner steering question

[89T4runner]

Hi all!

So I have tried searching several times for someone with the same problem as mine but have come up with nothing so I figured I would start a thread and ask.

Awhile back my girlfriend purchased a 1998 4runner as her first vehicle. It already had some stuff done such as a full OME lift kit including OME shocks front and rear, 881s and 890 springs as well as those ebay blue uniball UCAs.

Now the thing I always notice when I drive it, is that the steering wheel is very easy (feels light) when turning left but very hard (feels heavy) when turning right. It drives me mad everytime I'm in it. When she got it, it hadn't been aligned after the lift, so I replaced the inner and outer tie rods and got it aligned hoping that would help but it didn't. Oh also I put new oem LBJs within a week of her getting it and it has poly steering rack bushings.

Any ideas on what could be causing those steering problems? Any suggestions would be very appreciated, thank you!

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[phattyduck]

How does the steering feel when its up in the air? Any idea on the condition of the rack? (it almost sounds like the power steering valve is only opening in one direction) Was the alignment shop able to get all the specs 'green'?

-Charlie

 

[89T4runner]

How does the steering feel when its up in the air? Any idea on the condition of the rack? (it almost sounds like the power steering valve is only opening in one direction) Was the alignment shop able to get all the specs 'green'?



-Charlie

I havent had it in the air and turned the wheel since I put in the tie rods but I believe it felt normal. Everything aligned perfectly in the green as well The main thing I can think of is the steering rack/fluid. The PS fluid is kinda nasty and I've been meaning to flush it. I think a rack replacement will be coming soon I just wanted to see if anyone has experienced anything like this before we drop the cash on an oem rack. Maybe flushing the fluid may unstick a valve? Should I try cleaning out the mesh filter in the reservoir?

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[itskohler]

If there's power steering fluid in there you might want to do a fluid exchange and put ATF back in there.

 

[Bad Luck]

I havent had it in the air and turned the wheel since I put in the tie rods but I believe it felt normal. Everything aligned perfectly in the green as well The main thing I can think of is the steering rack/fluid. The PS fluid is kinda nasty and I've been meaning to flush it. I think a rack replacement will be coming soon I just wanted to see if anyone has experienced anything like this before we drop the cash on an oem rack. Maybe flushing the fluid may unstick a valve? Should I try cleaning out the mesh filter in the reservoir?

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It's worth a shot to flush it and clean the power steering reservoir. Recommended fluid is any Dexron III compatible transmission fluid. It sounds to me like a stuck valve as well which will likely require a rack replacement, but flushing before replacement will guarantee that a new rack (if required) will see nice new fluid rather than gunky burnt old fluid.

 

[phattyduck]

^^^ That sounds like a good plan. New fluid (full flush), clean the screen in the reservoir (get a new o-ring) and see what that gets you. Any normal ATF should be fine in the PS system. I use my old Dexron III stock and save the good/expensive stuff for the trans. :thumb:

-Charlie