I'm in control.... I think?

4runsport

4runsport

New member
Hey everyone,
So I recently had 4 new duratracs put on my truck and a full alignment. I noticed that before and after this whenever I hit a dip in the road or a pot hole the vehicle feels like it wants to go in whichever direction the hole/dip is. The steering just does not feel as tight as I remember it to be. I have a lift which is listed in my sig. Is this just how its going to be with a more aggressive tire/lift combo?
I remember back when I had my cherokee that they had steering stabilizers which looked just like an additional shock inbetween both wheels.When I replaced mine with a skyjacker the steering was much more responsive. Do we have anything like that?
Thanks!!! :thanks:
 
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Have you replace your LBJ's? That is the biggest thing that helped my sloppy steering, felt like a brand new car in terms of steering
 
LBJ's were replaced:
By Dealer 10/05/05 Crestmont Toyota 50,117 0327227 50J BALL JOINT,CK/ADJ WHL according to Toyota's website.
Which bushing are you referring to exactly?
 
Check to make sure the tie rod ends are correctly angled with the ball joint (too much possible deflection, crawl under and have a look). After a recent alignment, mine were not, I adjusted them, and the steering has been good ever since.
 
quicksilvr said:
Which load range are your tires? And what PSI do you have them inflated to?
Click to expand...

My thoughts exactly...

The problem was not present before the new tires, so I highly doubt it's the LBJ's. It's funny how everyone is so paranoid about those things that they want to point to them as the cause/contributing factor of any and all front end issues.

If you're running 265/75r16 Duratracs, they are a "C" load rating, and will have softer sidewalls. The soft, taller sidewalls, along with the lift will make the vehicle have a tendency to follow imperfections in the road.

BTW, there is no option for a steering stabilizer on 3rd gen 4Runners.

Edit... wow... that was a bunch of replies in 3 minutes.
 
I did have a wandering problem before the tires but not before the lift which was installed a year ago. I just feel like while driving if the road has waves the truck just wants to go in different directions. I figured the larger softer tires would have something to do with it but I just wasn;t sure if maybe there were some parts that im missing which should be address/changed...
 
The steering rack bushings are really easy to change. You don't have to take the rack all the way out, but you do have to unbolt it and move it around a bit.

And yes, you will need an alignment afterwards. An alignment could also be part of your problem to begin with.
 
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4runsport said:
I did have a wandering problem before the tires but not before the lift which was installed a year ago. I just feel like while driving if the road has waves the truck just wants to go in different directions. I figured the larger softer tires would have something to do with it but I just wasn;t sure if maybe there were some parts that im missing which should be address/changed...
Click to expand...

You can start throwing parts at it... the ones mentioned by Ripcord and Gerdo should definitely help, at least a little.

One thing to keep in mind also, is that when you lift these vehicles you lose the majority of your caster. It's just a fact of life w/the stock control arms. Caster is the factor in your alignment that helps your wheel return to center after a turn and keeps the vehicle tracking straight down the road.

Picture the front wheels of a shopping cart. Because they are offset to the rear (on casters), when you make a left or right turn, then push the cart forward, they have a natural tendency to straighten out.

That same function is built into your alignment, but because of the changes in the geometry of the suspension when you lift these trucks, you lose nearly all of the caster. This will also make the truck have a tendency to wander.

I'm just saying... lifts and bigger tires change the dynamics of the vehicle and there are certain imperfections that come along w/those changes. Replacing bushings and other parts will help, but it's never going to feel like it did stock.
 
+1 on what BFAD said. Given you height now due to a 3" lift, it will never feel like stock. Jack up the front wheels and check to see if the ball joints and/or tie rod ends are OK, and go from there.
 
Thanks for all the help guys! Much appreciated! I think I might order those parts up and give it a good saturday of work. Im one of those people who like to replace everything when i do a job for precautionary sake. Looking back I should have done all of this with poly bushings last year when I installed the lift but ehh what can you do. Maybe I will wait till I have a few bucks so I can get the alignment done right after doing it. :trophy:
 
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