Front end Wander

[PedroV]

Recently purchased a 2008 4Runner SR5 V8 with 160,000 miles. So far, I replaced the upper control arm bushings and ball joints, lower control arm bushings and ball joints, as well as Bilstein 5100's on all four corners, and new springs in the back. An alignment was completed after all of this work.

The front has 1" lift blocks, and the rear springs added a .85" lift.

The front end wanders a bit more than I would like, requiring small corrections on straight roads. I feel like it is more than it should be.

Any suggestions on what else might be causing the wandering I am experiencing, or is this just to be expected.

 

[BackOff]

Whats your alignment numbers?

These t4r drive straighter/less driver input with more caster, 3.5 or more.

 

[MikeinNH67]

Was it fine before the work? One thing that wears out that will make for loose steering is the steering shaft u-joint. When it goes bad you can move the steering wheel a bit without the wheels moving. Just a thought.

 

[PedroV]

Was it fine before the work? One thing that wears out that will make for loose steering is the steering shaft u-joint. When it goes bad you can move the steering wheel a bit without the wheels moving. Just a thought.

No, it was essentially the same. Much of the reason I did all the work I did.

Any idea how to diagnose if the shaft u-joint is worn? Just as simple as grabbing it and feeling for play?

 

[PedroV]

Whats your alignment numbers?

These t4r drive straighter/less driver input with more caster, 3.5 or more.

I need to check the numbers they provided me. Thanks for the tip.

 

[montijo505]

No, it was essentially the same. Much of the reason I did all the work I did.



Any idea how to diagnose if the shaft u-joint is worn? Just as simple as grabbing it and feeling for play?

Also check tie rod ends, my steering was somewhat sloppy, rebuilt LCA's and new tie rod ends and it feels awesome now.

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[Bluesky 07]

Check your calipers. I had exactly what you described & it went away after I discovered & replaced a stuck caliper.

Also be sure you don’t have power steering fluid in the power steering reservoir as 4th Gens require ATF in that system. I think it’s often an issue when buying used b/c owners and/or shops may just assume it uses PS fluid. My steering tightened up when I flushed & refilled the PS system with the specified ATF using a great PS flush thread on the forum.

 

[MikeinNH67]

No, it was essentially the same. Much of the reason I did all the work I did.

Any idea how to diagnose if the shaft u-joint is worn? Just as simple as grabbing it and feeling for play?

With the engine off but steering wheel unlocked move the steering wheel left and right. If you hear/feel a clunk then you need to find where it is. May also just feel loose but mine made a clunk. In my case it was the u-joint on the steering that was worn out but a ball joint can also make a clunk. Difference is this one is on the driver's side of the engine. Here's a link to one so you see what it looks like. It's a pain to replace.

Toyota 4runner Steering Intermediate No2 Shaft Joint OEM 2003-2009 A882 | eBay

Here's a video on replacing it. Mine became very tight before it became loose.
Toyota 4 Runner Steering Problem Returns - EricTheCarGuy - YouTube

 

[PedroV]

Also check tie rod ends, my steering was somewhat sloppy, rebuilt LCA's and new tie rod ends and it feels awesome now.

Sent from my SM-G986U using Tapatalk

After reading about worn tie rod end symptoms, I think this is my problem.

Found a good install video here:

How to Replace Inner Tie Rod Ends 03-09 Toyota 4Runner - YouTube

So the next question is, do I need to do an alignment after replacing the inner and outer tie rod ends?

 

[EHNWI]

Those 1A Auto videos are great. I have been binge watching them recently to get ready to do some of this stuff myself.

 

[montijo505]

After reading about worn tie rod end symptoms, I think this is my problem.



Found a good install video here:



How to Replace Inner Tie Rod Ends 03-09 Toyota 4Runner - YouTube



So the next question is, do I need to do an alignment after replacing the inner and outer tie rod ends?

I would just to be safe as toe can affect tire wear.

Sent from my SM-G986U using Tapatalk

 

[MikeinNH67]

After reading about worn tie rod end symptoms, I think this is my problem.

Found a good install video here:

How to Replace Inner Tie Rod Ends 03-09 Toyota 4Runner - YouTube

So the next question is, do I need to do an alignment after replacing the inner and outer tie rod ends?

Absolutely get it aligned. Upper and lower ball joints not as big a deal but tie rods are a must in my book. Unless you like worn tires. Some people can do a decent alignment with a string but tires are too costly to try and save a few bucks on the alignment. My 2 cents.

 

[Keros]

Could be steering rack bushings.

Have someone sit in the driver's seat and turn the steering wheel while stopped/engine off.

If the rack moves back and forth the bushings are done.

There's a couple of hard to find bushings available, but Toyota's intention was for owners to replace the entire rack. My research, when I had to do mine, indicated most people started having rack leaking issues around the time my bushings were shot, so I replaced the entire thing.

Best luck