Another crooked steering wheel

[BackOff]

Last week heading through some S-corners.
Had someone almost clip me head-on.

Hard braking in the corner to avoid this fool who barely moved over at the last second...started a good foot inside my lane.

Now the steering wheel is way off center but the 4runner drives straight down the road, not pulling to the side or anything weird.
Even had the alignment cams marked with a paint pen and it did not look like they had moved. Cam tabs are not bent.
Crawled around under the 4runner and nothing looks bent or out of whack.
Nothing sounds loose.
Kinda at a loss as to what to check now.

Ordered the Whiteline LCA bushing a few days before this...foreshadowing?
Guess i will try that first, maybe the bushings all shoved to the side? They look a bit rotted.

This guy.

 

[Inv4drZm]

Did you mark your tie rods too? Not sure how a hard swerve and braking could move/loosen them but those sound like the culprit otherwise.

 

[zeekevin]

Your steering rack could of skipped a tooth on the ram

 

[BackOff]

Did you mark your tie rods too? Not sure how a hard swerve and braking could move/loosen them but those sound like the culprit otherwise.

Did not mark the tie rods but they seem to be tight...the lock nut.

Your steering rack could of skipped a tooth on the ram

That was mentioned in a couple other threads i saw... not sure how to test for that.

Only thing i can see is the steering linkage/connection looks maybe odd?
Not sure how that was before.

pics...
1. tie rod end
2. steering wheel straight/centered
3. wheels/tires straight

 

[duffdog]

Im going with bent spindle. Since you marked everything and nothing looks broken, something had to move- may have just bent the driver spindle.

 

[BackOff]

Im going with bent spindle. Since you marked everything and nothing looks broken, something had to move- may have just bent the driver spindle.

Both sides measured the same distance to the tire.
Dont think they bent.
Its seems like everything just shifted or steering rack moved or skiped a tooth.
Camber seems good.

 

[Inv4drZm]

Only thing i can see is the steering linkage/connection looks maybe odd?
Not sure how that was before.

That's the way mine looks so you can probably rule it out.

 

[BackOff]

That's the way mine looks so you can probably rule it out.

I guess what i was wondering was if the flat is parallel to the steering wheel?
If so then i was thinking the damage is in the rack or the LCA bushings.
I will try the LCA bushings first.

Looks like you have a loose bolt in that pic.

 

[Inv4drZm]

I guess what i was wondering was if the flat is parallel to the steering wheel?
If so then i was thinking the damage is in the rack or the LCA bushings.
I will try the LCA bushings first.

Looks like you have a loose bolt in that pic.

Yes the flat should be at the top of the shaft when the steering wheel is straight, I just looked at mine.

Its loose because I was doing a body lift at that time.

 

[having fun]

Last alignment I had, awhile back, couple days later steering wheel angle same problem like yours.
Shop had marks on everything so nothing loose, didnt have any situation like you though, normal driving.
Already had poly bushings on everything. No weird noises or anything to explain it.

I loosen the jam nuts and did equal turns on OTR ends to get steering wheel back to straight. Been on several hard trails and driving on it for well over a yr.

No problems, or movement since.

 

[atalarico]

I recently had my rack replaced because the "internal" bushings were shot which was messing with the ability to keep the wheel straight. I was skeptical since I did the bushings on my old 3rd gen and it seemed like a scam to say they weren't replaceable on this rack. I got a second opinion and it was confirmed so I got the rack replaced and I have a wheel that stays straight after hitting big bumps and off-roading now.

Maybe it's a similar situation? Just a thought.

 

[4RunnerAquasport]

I recently had my rack replaced because the "internal" bushings were shot which was messing with the ability to keep the wheel straight. I was skeptical since I did the bushings on my old 3rd gen and it seemed like a scam to say they weren't replaceable on this rack. I got a second opinion and it was confirmed so I got the rack replaced and I have a wheel that stays straight after hitting big bumps and off-roading now.

Maybe it's a similar situation? Just a thought.

I've had this happen recently after hitting the trails a couple times. Has always driven straight and all alignment specs are where they are supposed to be. I've been thinking about replacing my rack as well. OP this might be your issue. It's a shame all the work and expense for a bushing.

 

[atalarico]

I've had this happen recently after hitting the trails a couple times. Has always driven straight and all alignment specs are where they are supposed to be. I've been thinking about replacing my rack as well. OP this might be your issue. It's a shame all the work and expense for a bushing.

Especially when it was a completely reasonable (albeit somewhat frustrating process) serviceable item in the previous generation. That being said, I don't regret getting the rack replaced at all and it greatly improved my steering wheel situation.

 

[AuSeeker]

Especially when it was a completely reasonable (albeit somewhat frustrating process) serviceable item in the previous generation. That being said, I don't regret getting the rack replaced at all and it greatly improved my steering wheel situation.

Where did you get the replacement rack?

 

[BackOff]

Its nice to be able to talk this out loud, so to speak, with you guys.
Thanks all!
It sounds like what you guys are saying is making more sense.
If both sides moved the same and the castor/camber/toe is all still good, it is not the LCA bushings...has to be in the steering rack.

Guess i will adjust the tie rods and start looking for a new rack and pinion...

Be cool if there was a 'Heavy duty' upgrade...Mar Rack, stock style. I do beat on this 4runner at speed in the dirt, not sure all the steel armor helps when i sometimes think i am a baja racer. :lookout:

 

[having fun]

Its nice to be able to talk this out loud, so to speak, with you guys.
Thanks all!
It sounds like what you guys are saying is making more sense.
If both sides moved the same and the castor/camber/toe is all still good, it is not the LCA bushings...has to be in the steering rack.

Guess i will adjust the tie rods and start looking for a new rack and pinion...

Be cool if there was a 'Heavy duty' upgrade...Mar Rack, stock style. I do beat on this 4runner at speed in the dirt, not sure all the steel armor helps when i sometimes think i am a baja racer. :lookout:

Personally, never had to replace the rack, nor have had this happen again.
No noises or chunks. No leaks either.

But kinda expecting to have to change due to my driving habits in the woods.

 

[atalarico]

Where did you get the replacement rack?

Local Toyota shop replaced it and it’s a reman. Not sure if it’s a CVJ reman, but probably not.

 

[BackOff]

Little follow up.
I did a home 'toe' adjustment and got the wheel back to straight.

Wrapped a neodymium magnet in white duct tape and set it on the hub.
Cut a old fiber glass level down to fit the rim.
Screwed a bolt into one side.

Can pop it off and on in about a second.

Then ran two strings in a box, level with the hubs, at equal distances.
2 sections of 3/4" square tube i had and 4 jack stands for the contraption.

Seat belt wrapped around the steering wheel to keep it centered.

Probably not 'perfect' but it got it real close...smidgen toe in.