first thing it does is pulls left when applying brakes , also when accelerating or de-accelerating it will jump left or right. it is worse the faster you are going. I have been going thru the vehicle fixing suspension items over the last year. everything in the rear suspension has been replaced(springs, shocks, track bar upper and lower control arms and swaybar bushings. I just replaced front calipers,rotors and pads, I have also replaced lower control arms,struts,lower ball joints, rack,swaybar busings and rod ends, of course there was a recent alignment. it can be driven but you have to put a lot of attention into driving to keep up with it, which can be very tiring. steering feels tight but the vehicle has a mind of its own. I havent a clue where to go next with this anyone ever have these sysmpoms. also I had high speed oscillations when going over bumps but this went away with the lower control arm replacement.265K on the odometer. I also had the steering column shaft welded to take the play out of that.
99 runner has steering issues
- Thread starter Johnnie
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NegroTundra
New member
Inner and outer tie rod end's?
I had the same symptoms as yours. Mines turned out to be a very worn out rack guide bushings. The old bushings looked fine when inspected while it's mounted in place. Taking the bushings out of the rack is where I could see they were ragged.
The symptoms I got while using both hands were very hard to track straight at 55mph. Faster you go...the harder it is to keep the 4r straight, so 65mph was out of the question.
After no alignment and the rgb were replaced, going 85mph were straight and confident using just one hand.
You mentioned you replaced your rack. I'm assuming rgb are new and tight?
4Runner4Leon
Senior Member
One thing I didn't see you mention is tires. I had a very similar issue with my GS430 when I bought it from the PO. I hated driving it, especially on freeways - it would find a path of its own and I had to fight to get it back on track.
I was told that this was called tramlining (google it if it's new to you, it was to me). After switching the aftermarket tires and wheels on that car to factory, it drove like a dream.
Since a lot of our Runners have non factory wheels and tires, maybe the combo on yours is causing the problem. Just a thought.
I was told that this was called tramlining (google it if it's new to you, it was to me). After switching the aftermarket tires and wheels on that car to factory, it drove like a dream.
Since a lot of our Runners have non factory wheels and tires, maybe the combo on yours is causing the problem. Just a thought.
mountain mike
New member
I had a similar issue that I finally was able to fix after about 6 months. Mine did not happen when braking but when I was going down the road if I accelerated it would pull left and when I let off the gas it would pull right.
For the accelerating and decelerating it sounds like it is most likely suspension related. I also replaced everything and still had the issue. What my issue ended up being was the drivers side rear lower control arm bolt had gotten a little rust on it and the threads fused together. When I would go to tighten the bolt it felt tight, and looked tight. However, it was not tight and the lower control arm was moving a little bit causing the issue.
I would start by going in and putting a wrench on every bolt and make sure everything is nice and snug and not moving.
For the accelerating and decelerating it sounds like it is most likely suspension related. I also replaced everything and still had the issue. What my issue ended up being was the drivers side rear lower control arm bolt had gotten a little rust on it and the threads fused together. When I would go to tighten the bolt it felt tight, and looked tight. However, it was not tight and the lower control arm was moving a little bit causing the issue.
I would start by going in and putting a wrench on every bolt and make sure everything is nice and snug and not moving.
still fighting it
thanks for all the input. I think its the lower control arm bushing at least on the left side, I had a shop check everything out, replaced brake hoses, adjusted rear brakes, power bled everything, and another alignment. otherwise they said they couldn't find anything wrong. didnt help a thing. I found a thread where someone else had the identical problem. turned out the Doorman lower control arms he installed had one very soft bushing in it and he rebushed his original arms with toyota bushings and everything was all better. I had to go back to Rock Auto to see the make of the arms I recently put in and low and behold it was (drum roll here) Doorman. will know soon when I get rid of those, will update
thanks for all the input. I think its the lower control arm bushing at least on the left side, I had a shop check everything out, replaced brake hoses, adjusted rear brakes, power bled everything, and another alignment. otherwise they said they couldn't find anything wrong. didnt help a thing. I found a thread where someone else had the identical problem. turned out the Doorman lower control arms he installed had one very soft bushing in it and he rebushed his original arms with toyota bushings and everything was all better. I had to go back to Rock Auto to see the make of the arms I recently put in and low and behold it was (drum roll here) Doorman. will know soon when I get rid of those, will update
01thunder
New member
that's what happens with cheap, chinese garbage. get OE bushings and done. no more issues. or get another dorman and have the same problem or worse.
