After a night of offroading I have issues. Input please?

[05 4runner]

So I live here in Pennsylvania and where I am at we got around 12" of snow. So I decided to go out with my friend who has a Jeep. My tires are crappy AT20's that were on the 4runner when I bought it from Toyota last year and I knew they wouldn't be good, but I wanted to go have some fun. Besides I planned on getting the 255/75/17 GYSA's in a few weeks that people speak highly of. The vehicle is stock with nothing done to it and it held it's on for a little while till I started trying to go up steep streets then I started sliding sideways. So we decided to go to a big open area where I could have some fun and not worry about getting stuck on hills. When we turned into this open area at around 10mph my 4runner started sliding to the right. I hit what I would imagine under the snow was a curb. It put me at a dead stop. So I gave it some gas to get moving again and noticed my steering wheel was a 1/4 turn to the left while i was going dead straight. First thing I thought about was I messed up the alignment. Is this true or could I have messed something else up? What should I look for (if anything) under the front of the vehicle to see if anything is out of place?

I also am wondering where I can go to have my wheels fixed? I have about 7 inches worth of wheel rash on the front right and right rear from obviously hitting hard on that side.

Thanks
Judd

 

[Jed]

If you're lucky, you just messed up the alignment. If you're not so lucky, you bent something on the front end. Check all the steering and suspension components and look for anything that is obviously bent. If you're not sure what you're looking at, you can always compare from one side to the other, assuming that you only bashed that one side.

 

[05 4runner]

I looked under the 4runner and I did not "see" anything out of place so hopefully a alignment is all it will need. I just hope places around here don't charge crazy for a suv alignment. I had several in the 15 yrs of driving, but this is my first suv, so I'm hoping for a decent price.

 

[CJ3Flyr]

I looked under the 4runner and I did not "see" anything out of place so hopefully a alignment is all it will need. I just hope places around here don't charge crazy for a suv alignment. I had several in the 15 yrs of driving, but this is my first suv, so I'm hoping for a decent price.

It's a straight forward, 2 wheel alignment. It should run from $75-$130.

 

[05 4runner]

Here's a question which getting opinions on would mean a lot to me. I know going to the Toyota dealership doesn't always mean better service over another shop, but would you take it to Toyota or go to a different shop such has a tire shop???

Thanks
Judd

 

[unixadm]

I'd take it to a Toyota dealer with up to date Hunter or similar equipment. At least if something is bent, they should tell you as part of the alignment. I've had mixed luck at aftermarket shops on alignments - pulling, wheel off center, toe set incorrectly, etc. The equipment must be calibrated and the person doing the work must know what they are doing. I always told the guy doing the alignment that if they take their time and get it dialed in just right, I have a $20 in my pocket with their name on it. That seemed to get me the best alignments, otherwise they rush. I don't know what the difference in cost is, but I have never got a vehicle back from any dealership and had alignment issues. Big-O, Goodyear, Sears would be naming a few places where I have had issues.

 

[05 4runner]

made a appt for this Wednesday at the Toyota Dealership. $69.95 + tax is not bad at all... I'm hoping that the alignment is the only issue

 

[bulldogtaxi]

tire shops are going to sell you an alignment even if you don't need it. Toyota in my experiance will fix it for an arm and leg and try to sell you another Grand in BS. I would recommend taking it to an alignment specialist. You may have to search around bu they are out there. I had mine done by a small shop with only one bay that specialized in alignments. And it was only like 80 bucks for him to set it after my lift.

 

[05 4runner]

We got hit with another snow storm on Tuesday/Wednesday so the Toyota Dealer did not open therefor I didn't get my alignment done and front end checked out. I noticed while pulling out of a space tonight with the tires turned 3/4 of the way that there was a clunking/binding sound??? followed by what felt like me going over very tiny speed bumps. This was going really slow. I never experienced this before. Not even full crank. So I am wondering if I worsened something by driving on it longer. First thought that came to mine was tie rod? Any thoughts? I am going to call Toyota tomorrow to see when they can get me in and have them look at it, but I'm hoping whatever it is it's not a lot. I am thinking it's more then a alignment now by the way it sounds. If it's a tie rod or something I am sure I can save money and do it myself. On the hwy or on a nice straight road I have no issues and no shaking in the steering wheel.

Judd

 

[Jed]

We got hit with another snow storm on Tuesday/Wednesday so the Toyota Dealer did not open therefor I didn't get my alignment done and front end checked out. I noticed while pulling out of a space tonight with the tires turned 3/4 of the way that there was a clunking/binding sound??? followed by what felt like me going over very tiny speed bumps. This was going really slow. I never experienced this before. Not even full crank. So I am wondering if I worsened something by driving on it longer. First thought that came to mine was tie rod? Any thoughts? I am going to call Toyota tomorrow to see when they can get me in and have them look at it, but I'm hoping whatever it is it's not a lot. I am thinking it's more then a alignment now by the way it sounds. If it's a tie rod or something I am sure I can save money and do it myself. On the hwy or on a nice straight road I have no issues and no shaking in the steering wheel.

Judd

Just a guess here, but you may have damaged one of your CV joints.

 

[05 4runner]

funny bc i thought that. tomorrow if toyota cant fit me in i can jack it up in my garage and get a good look at it.

 

[BlairB]

Have you checked your tie rods? Jack the front of your truck up and grab the wheel at 3 and 9 o'clock then try moving it left to right. If it moves, you will probably need new inner tie rods.

 

[05 4runner]

Thanks for the response Blair. I will do this tomorrow and let you know my findings. What ever the issues I hope it's fairly cheap and won't get worse if I need to drive on it for another day or two.

Judd

 

[b.abe825]

I did something similar, but in a Mercury Sable in TX on freshly oiled roads...

Turned a corner and car didn't follow orders, slid into the curb and my rim cracked had a flat tire, etc... tires went from looking like this: | | to / \ ....

great fun. the entire front left suspension had to be replaced. I realize the inherent difference between an T4R and a mercury... but I'd be careful and be prepared for the worst, but hope for the best...