Let's Do A Steering Diagnosis.

[tbst]

First, we are talking about a 2001 T4R 4wd w/120k mi.
So I recently took about a 1000 mi round trip. Before I left for the trip, I replaced both the LBJs and the driver side inner tie rod. Along with replacing the rear axle seals. I got an alignment, which is shown below.
While driving on the freeway the steering feels squirrely. I know steering issues can be hard to describe and hard to diagnose, but I will do my best.
The best example to give is when passing someone on the freeway. Or going around a curve. It feels like the front end the 4runner is sliding out from underneath me. It feels like I have to overcorrect the steering.
Maybe related to the steering issue, maybe not, but it seems like there is too much play in the steering wheel. Shown below is the "play" I am talking about. Yes, I have seen the thread on TTORA about taking apart the steering column. However, I don't think this issue would replicate the sliding out feeling I am getting. Shown below is a video of the trip. WARNING: The music is loud.



I also had the GF drive it in NJ to make sure I wasn't crazy.
On a side note, once I got to my destination (Queens, NYC), I was driving around and it felt like the front end "clunked". However, I have not been able to reproduce this since, a good thing and bad.
Now, to come clean with you guys, the 4runner did take a drop on the ground from jack stands. Long story, moral is no one was hurt, and that it shouldn't rain as much here.
I checked both the tie rod arms for looseness several times. Also checked the LBJs.
And yes, I have tried searching the forum, and there are MANY threads about this, however no quite describe it the same way I am, I don't think, which is why I am trying to enlist all of your help.
In summary, I would like to make a plan of attack for how to get this problem fixed, rather than just throwing $ at it, pointlessly.
I know there are bushing kits at 4wheelparts. I know that it could be the other tie rod arm?
What do you think is a plan of attack?

 

[Baja Runner]

From the video it looks like you could try buying and installing some new steering rack bushings.

... Or maybe some better music?

 

[CaliCal]

yep, you need these

Toyota Maintenance: Steering Rack - Bushing Replacement

 

[Stick Figure]

How are the tires?

why couldn't the alignment shop do the job right? (caster is still out of spec)

How is the guide bushing in the steering rack?

Sorry couldn't watch the video on the hotel WiFi connection.

 

[ryankmasuda]

My 4runner has the same slop in the steering. I'm thinking bleed the P/S fluid and guide bushings

 

[brian2sun]

You can check your steering rack bushings. With the engine running, take a knee next to the drivers door. Stretch your arm up and grab the bottom of the steering wheel while you bend your head down under the truck and look at the steering rack. Wobble the steering wheel back and forth a few inches, if the rack itself moves at all, your bushings are toast. Wheelersoffroad sells the kit for $21.50 + sh.
4Runner Steering Rack Bushing Kit - Wheeler's Off-Road, Inc

You can also slip the boot off the D/S inner TRE and with the tire jacked up, wobble it back and forth and see if the TRE has play in it.

If those don't help, the rack itself might just be toast.

 

[tbst]

From the video it looks like you could try buying and installing some new steering rack bushings.

... Or maybe some better music?

Yeah, thats what happens when you spend thousands of mi in the car with the GF. Eventually you give up control of the radio.

Yes, I would like to have further diagnosis before I start spending time doing things that could be worthless.

yep, you need these

Toyota Maintenance: Steering Rack - Bushing Replacement

Right, I agree that I may need those, but the goal was to try and figure out what I needed before just buying stuff. Maybe explain why you think that?

How are the tires?

why couldn't the alignment shop do the job right? (caster is still out of spec)

How is the guide bushing in the steering rack?

Sorry couldn't watch the video on the hotel WiFi connection.

Tires are basically brand new.

The shop said they couldn't adjust it because it was rusted. Seems plausible. But I don't really know what they would be adjusting so I can't see if it really is rusted.

I also have some bad shaking at freeway speeds. But that could be from the crap rotors I got when I did the TBU.

Stupid hotel Wifi. Stayed at one for three months this summer that wouldn't let me go to CNN or any other news site worth a damn.

My 4runner has the same slop in the steering. I'm thinking bleed the P/S fluid and guide bushings

Let me know how it works out. I saw the bleeding the PS fluid. As long as your fluid if full enough, it doesn't seem like new fluid would have that much of an effect.

You can check your steering rack bushings. With the engine running, take a knee next to the drivers door. Stretch your arm up and grab the bottom of the steering wheel while you bend your head down under the truck and look at the steering rack. Wobble the steering wheel back and forth a few inches, if the rack itself moves at all, your bushings are toast. Wheelersoffroad sells the kit for $21.50 + sh.
4Runner Steering Rack Bushing Kit - Wheeler's Off-Road, Inc

You can also slip the boot off the D/S inner TRE and with the tire jacked up, wobble it back and forth and see if the TRE has play in it.

If those don't help, the rack itself might just be toast.

I will do this tonight.

I hope it is not the rack.

 

[Gerdo]

Rack mounts!
Power Steering Rack Bushing Kit (95.5-04 Tacoma) - Toytec Lifts: Toyota Lift Kits: FJ Cruiser Lift Kits, Tacoma Lift Kits, Tundra Lift Kits, 4 Runner Lift Kits, Sequoia Lift Kits, Toyota Truck Lift Kits

 

[Nelsonmd]

The steering bushing kit is cheap enough that you can feel ok about buying it and replacing it without feeling too guilty if it doesn't fix your problem (that's what I did).

How is your suspension? What you describe sounds alot like what I had, which turned out to be 99% worn out suspension. I believe that the worn out suspension was just not keeping good contact with the road, which caused some wandering around curves, especially over bumps on curves (bumps on curves made me feel so unsafe that I changed lanes to avoid bumps until I replaced the suspension). This played out alot more at highway speed, even on straights, it felt fine on city streets, but get on the highway, and all of a sudden it got really squirrely.

I highly doubt it is your steering column too. That floated around here and lots of guys talked about welding theirs, but you should be able to feel good old fashioned play in the wheel if it's that, and it doesn't sound like you have that.

BTW, I was able to shake the wheel like you do in the video without any reaction as well. I am not sure that is a good indicator, though it could mean rack bushings.

 

[Kung]

Yeah, thats what happens when you spend thousands of mi in the car with the GF. Eventually you give up control of the radio.

Just so long as it's not "Soul Sister" by Train. Otherwise I think you'd be banned with no warning.

 

[tbst]

Rack mounts!
Power Steering Rack Bushing Kit (95.5-04 Tacoma) - Toytec Lifts: Toyota Lift Kits: FJ Cruiser Lift Kits, Tacoma Lift Kits, Tundra Lift Kits, 4 Runner Lift Kits, Sequoia Lift Kits, Toyota Truck Lift Kits

I think that is the consensus. However, I am going to see if there is rack movement first.

The steering bushing kit is cheap enough that you can feel ok about buying it and replacing it without feeling too guilty if it doesn't fix your problem (that's what I did).

Agreed.

How is your suspension?

How should I go about assessing it? You pictures may help, which I can post. But how about movement wise.

What you describe sounds alot like what I had, which turned out to be 99% worn out suspension. I believe that the worn out suspension was just not keeping good contact with the road, which caused some wandering around curves, especially over bumps on curves (bumps on curves made me feel so unsafe that I changed lanes to avoid bumps until I replaced the suspension). This played out alot more at highway speed, even on straights, it felt fine on city streets, but get on the highway, and all of a sudden it got really squirrely.

Yes, in the city it is fine. On the freeway, it is seriously scary. Sometimes when going around a turn on the freeway (so not that sharp) I would veer into the other lane because it feels like I am going to go into the guardrail or the shoulder (depending on which way the turn is). Your wording sums it up totally.

In my 1997 civic passing semis was scary, from a wind blowing perspective, this thing feels like the whole front end is either going to slide out or fall off.

I highly doubt it is your steering column too. That floated around here and lots of guys talked about welding theirs, but you should be able to feel good old fashioned play in the wheel if it's that, and it doesn't sound like you have that.

Hopefully this stays true.

BTW, I was able to shake the wheel like you do in the video without any reaction as well. I am not sure that is a good indicator, though it could mean rack bushings.

I mean there is some reaction, but it feels more like play than anything else.

What did you end up doing to the suspension? Did the rack bushings help at all?

Just so long as it's not "Soul Sister" by Train. Otherwise I think you'd be banned with no warning.

Don't challenge me to challenge the rules!

 

[Nelsonmd]

How should I go about assessing it? You pictures may help, which I can post. But how about movement wise.

You can jump on the bumper and see if it dampens well, and do a visual inspection for how bad they look in general, but other than that, I am not really sure. Maybe someone else here has some good ideas on that front

I mean there is some reaction, but it feels more like play than anything else.

What did you end up doing to the suspension? Did the rack bushings help at all?

I replaced my rack bushings, and replaced the suspension all around (I did a 2" lift, used some ironman fronts. I think I am the only one on here running these right now). The rack bushing helped a little bit, but I did them first so I still had 90% of the problem, so it was a little hard to tell the difference.

 

[tbst]

So I finally got down and checked out the rack.

When I turn the steering wheel, looking at the rack, it moves forward and backward, kind of like a pulsating heart, for lack of better analogy.

New bushings? Or something else?