1998 4Runner sway problems

[JackJones2121]

I'm having some serious issues with my 4Runner! Lack of traction on uneven or wet roads. It seems to sway on its own. I've had it aligned and new tires. After reading what I can I've narrowed it down to several things. shocks....the guy I bought it from said they were new this summer. I don't have bounce but it does rock side to side. Or, sway bar bushings. I'm stumped and need help. Any ideas would be greatly appriciated.

 

[drmorbius]

I'm having some serious issues with my 4Runner! Lack of traction on uneven or wet roads. It seems to sway on its own. I've had it aligned and new tires. After reading what I can I've narrowed it down to several things. shocks....the guy I bought it from said they were new this summer. I don't have bounce but it does rock side to side. Or, sway bar bushings. I'm stumped and need help. Any ideas would be greatly appriciated.

Are the sway bars on the truck? Check the sway bar bushings.

 

[CJ3Flyr]

Re: Re: 1998 4Runner sway problems

Are the sway bars on the truck? Check the sway bar bushings.

:iagree: Sometimes people remove them to enhance off-road performance.

You still haven't told us what these "new tires" are. I mean brand, model, size and load range. EXAMPLE: Bridgestone Dueler H/T 265/70/16, load range B. All of that info is on the side of the tire.

 

[Kmvreter]

It's a long shot but it could also be low pressure in one or more tires? Or a bent wheel with a bad runout pulling side to side?

 

[JackJones2121]

265/70/16 trailcat had it aligned again today and had the swaybar bushings checked. Still not holding the road very good!

 

[CJ3Flyr]

It's a long shot but it could also be low pressure in one or more tires? Or a bent wheel with a bad runout pulling side to side?

:iagree:

-I know you don't want to hear this but it's possible the tires just suck. They are definately a 'price-point' tire. Almost 80,000 tires from Cooper were affected by a recall. Perhaps these were from that bad batch and you have some belt separation. http://www.allworldauto.com/recalls/NHTSA_06T016000_9999_DEAN_TRAILCAT_ALL_SEASON_recall_63888.html

-Have you tried 100-150lbs of ballast in the back?

-Does the rear ride butt low when the vehicle is empty? Your '98 w/160k miles may have come with weak rear springs. There was a recall or TSB on them. If you had the weak ones and it now has 160k on it that may be contributing to poor handling.

-Have you had other SUVs and rear drive vehicles?

I am really thinking the tires are kicking your butt. Firestone has a cheap snow that's getting great reviews. I'll bet that'd fix most of it.

:cheers:

 

[Kmvreter]

265/70/16 trailcat...

Not sure what this tire is so can you take some pics? Is it an all season or A/T? Did you buy them new to fix this problem or were they already on the truck (i.e. did the truck sway before you had these tires?) Is there alot of balance weights on one particular tire/wheel versus the others (good indicator of a lousy tire or wheel)? What are you comparing the ride to when you say it isn't holding the road? At what speeds? Air pressure has alot to do with ride feel. Set it to the pressure on the door jamb plate for your truck.

The alignment could have missed a bad tire. Before you trash the tires do a sequence of partial tire rotations over a few days. It's a bit of work so can you do this yourself? Start by noting which tire is at which position on the vehicle. Rotate driver's side front to back and then test drive. If needed, then rotate passenger's side front to back and test drive. Then swap fronts side to side, rears side to side, then an X pattern. See which works best and if there is a bad tire/wheel combo you should be able to pick it out. Then duplicate the problem by putting that tire back at it's original position. If it's a bad tire then put the spare on there. The problem should go away so then replace the bad tire or wheel only.

 

[CJ3Flyr]

Not sure what this tire is so can you take some pics? Is it an all season or A/T?

I too was curious... http://www.vulcantire.com/trailcatas_t.htm