I have a been trying to fix my 2012 for 8 years. It pretty much snaps to the right to about the 5 degree out of 360 degrees. When I'm going 60mph on a highway it will turn into the next lane to the right in 3 seconds. COMPLETELY into the next lane. Is this normal? How many seconds does it take for yours to get into next lane if you take your hands of the wheel? I have spent now $50,000 dollars trying to fix this. NOT $5000 .....$50,000. It always feels like the steering wheel does not settle at "12 oclock" position. I've replaced tires, Upper control arms 3x, lower control arms, rack and pinion, wheels, brakes, tires, calipers, steering wheel angle sensor. Probably more but I forget. I've been to about 8 shops over the years.They tell me it's fixed, I pay them, I leave and test drive it and it's not fixed. Now it's worse and the ABS sensor? on the right wheel keeps going off if I go around a clover leaf, exit ramp at 30mph...so now its worse. The right brake starts growling and pumping? IS any of this normal or any ideas?
4runner Pulls to right. $50,000 spent. WTF?
- Thread starter numbbrrr
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03_4x4Runner
Senior Member
Could it be this? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sy2XQg8MDKY&ab_channel=TheCarCareNut
4R Anniversary@JP
Junior Member
Whoa $50K? When did you realize you spent more than the cost and worth of the car? When any of these shops said it was fixed, did you test drive it with them before accepting it back and paying? At any rate, good luck man.
Hungryhawk
Member
Pulling to right
Most roads are built sloping to the right for drainage.
Some more than others. On rare occasion I drive across a section of road that slopes left and usually I drift left before I come aware and correct with steering.
This road slope will compound any mechanical issues your 4runner has.
Track race cars have suspension geometry set up for into the turns. I suggest talking with some race car suspension tuning experts about your issues.
Most roads are built sloping to the right for drainage.
Some more than others. On rare occasion I drive across a section of road that slopes left and usually I drift left before I come aware and correct with steering.
This road slope will compound any mechanical issues your 4runner has.
Track race cars have suspension geometry set up for into the turns. I suggest talking with some race car suspension tuning experts about your issues.
Humble Leader
Senior Member
you have to admire OP's dedication here lol. 8 years trying to solve a problem. $50K spend. I don't believe it. that's over $6K a year on average to fix this issue. how can you spend that much consistently year over year? did you replace the engine too or something? that's insane.
you could have replaced almost every part in that vehicle for $50K in parts and build yourself another 4runner over 8 years lol
you could have replaced almost every part in that vehicle for $50K in parts and build yourself another 4runner over 8 years lol
brokedownwallet
Member
Dang 50k is a lot. Wondering if it's a lot simpler of an issue where it's not the suspension misaligned but the steering wheel itself?
thatoneguy
New member
This is almost too good to be true
Well, too sad to be true
I know people have a habit of getting worked around by mechanics, but after the first time I would've probably test-driven the vehicle after the "fix" to ensure it worked before throwing them the Visa.
If it makes you feel any better, it appears my 10k mile 2023 has the "idle gear" whine, like a supercharger sound
Well, too sad to be true
I know people have a habit of getting worked around by mechanics, but after the first time I would've probably test-driven the vehicle after the "fix" to ensure it worked before throwing them the Visa.
If it makes you feel any better, it appears my 10k mile 2023 has the "idle gear" whine, like a supercharger sound
You posted this issue years ago and stated on 3/23/21 that after spending over $10k the issue was fixed by replacing a chewed up lower ball joint
https://www.toyota-4runner.org/engi...-1-inch-taller-pulling-right.html#post3619689
https://www.toyota-4runner.org/engi...-1-inch-taller-pulling-right.html#post3619689
50k huh...
I knew a guy that liked the number 30,000. Everything was 30,000.
He made 30k per year, delivering newspapers.
His brothers old truck was worth 30k.
He drove 30k per year.
The trailer he pulled weighed 30k
The truck he used to pull the trailer weighed 30k
A gas station went out of business, and because this guy happened to be there filling up, the gas station owner gave him the gas, 30k gallons worth. Which between him, his brother, and mom lasted them a week... I know, he missed using 30k in his example of how long it took them to burn through 30k gallons of gas.
Anyway, a little story...
I knew a guy that liked the number 30,000. Everything was 30,000.
He made 30k per year, delivering newspapers.
His brothers old truck was worth 30k.
He drove 30k per year.
The trailer he pulled weighed 30k
The truck he used to pull the trailer weighed 30k
A gas station went out of business, and because this guy happened to be there filling up, the gas station owner gave him the gas, 30k gallons worth. Which between him, his brother, and mom lasted them a week... I know, he missed using 30k in his example of how long it took them to burn through 30k gallons of gas.
Anyway, a little story...
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That's the the link. I don't think it's that. I had a new rack and pinion put in by one shop and then that didn't fix it. So I took it to another shop a week later and they told me the new rack and pinion's rubber mounts were too lose and I had to replace it again. So I returned the first one and they put it in...still same problem. On top of that now when I go around exit ramps at 25-30mph my ABS on left hand side starts grinding and pumping the brakes. This started happening after the said I needed a new steering wheel angle sensor. i had them put that in too. All the sensors seemed to be fine but now I have the original steering issue and now an ABS issue.
I went to the dealers once and they told me they don't work on lifted 4runners. They charged me about $1000 for some "fix" but that didn't work. So many places this was about 5 years ago.
I wish this was a little story. Everytime I go to a shop they charge me about $5k-$10k replacing parts..then I give up and save up some more money for a year and try it again.
I wish this was a little story. Everytime I go to a shop they charge me about $5k-$10k replacing parts..then I give up and save up some more money for a year and try it again.
So sell it already.
Go test drive vehicles, and when you find one that drives the way you think it should, buy it.
Yes, that was me. The ball joints definitely had to be replaced, the rubber was all worn out and dry rotted. I thought it was fixed or close to fix...was much better but I think I spoke to soon. Right now I went for a test drive on a relatively flat road. If I let go of the steering wheel it basic goes to the right immediately, veers super quick to the right. In 4 seconds I've literally jumped 2 lanes. This isn't normal is it? I've never had a car or truck do this. That quick is not "road crown" Its dangerous I constantly have to be paying attention or end up in a ditch.
Serioius question. How many seconds to move 1 full right lane over?
If anyone is bored on their next drive.....
If I'm in the very left lane, my car seems to drive pretty well. However if I'm in the middle lane and let go of the steering wheel my truck basically veers to the right and is completely in the 3rd lane. By that time it's veering really bad. This all happens in a matter of 3 seconds. How long does it take for your 4runner to completely go into the next right lane if ever? Please post so I know this isn't normal to head for basically the ditch so quickly? thanks
If anyone is bored on their next drive.....
If I'm in the very left lane, my car seems to drive pretty well. However if I'm in the middle lane and let go of the steering wheel my truck basically veers to the right and is completely in the 3rd lane. By that time it's veering really bad. This all happens in a matter of 3 seconds. How long does it take for your 4runner to completely go into the next right lane if ever? Please post so I know this isn't normal to head for basically the ditch so quickly? thanks
I don't even know if it's normal for a truck to do this that's lifted? I don't have $50,000 sitting around so I keep thinking the "next garage" will fix it. I just end up wasting about $10,000 in parts and labor. I really don't know what to do. Is it normal if you let go of your wheel for it to veer a full lane over in 3 seconds? Can someone please test their toyota next drive? Basically If I'm in far left lane it drives pretty good. I can feel a small pull to the LEFT which I'm sure is road crown. When I go in the middle lane though and let go of the steering wheel it veers pretty quick to the 3rd lane to the right...in 3 seconds. How many seconds for everyone else in the middle lane? Please post results? thanks
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I've asked about the steering wheel. I know the dealership took apart the steering wheel to replace a airbag recall. Then they took it apart a few weeks ago to replace the "steering angle sensor" but a steering wheel can't put "pressure to turn right" can it? like a ghost? I would think the wheels themselves pretty much do what they want to do and what direction and the steering wheel just follows...? The wheels are 100's of pounds..the steering wheel is probably 20 pounds. So 20 pounds can't really cause 100's of pounds of wheels to turn can it? Not without me turning it myself...?
