loose feeling in front end

[mxz 600]

Gotta 2003 4 runner.. when driving especially around 60-70 mph -front end feels very loose, if i hit bump at that speed it seems to throw the vehicle a bit -it sometimes seems like it a battle to keep it in lane at those speeds... if i let go of steering wheel at those speeds the wheel twitches back and forth... tires seem good - drives well in other circumstances.. what do you guys and gals think??? Dave

 

[LTDSC]

either alignment, ball joints or tie rods are shot.

 

[ASUMTNEER]

I would look at tie rods first.

 

[mxz 600]

how do i check the tie rods? Can I do it myself ?

 

[zopperman]

how do i check the tie rods? Can I do it myself ?

jack wheel up, check for play at 9&3 o clock.
shake TRE itself and look for play

 

[CXS]

Jack the front end off the ground and grab the wheel. If it moves you've got a bad tierod.

 

[mxz 600]

ok ill check it - how can you tell if ball joint???

 

[BlackWorksInc]

Is there looseness/clunking in your steering? i.e. can you turn the steering from center a few ten of degrees before you feel the truck actually turning? There have been a couple members who had steering racks go out on them.

 

[HokieRunner]

If the other suggestions bear no fruit, check the LCA bushings. I had your same symptoms, replaced mine with poly bushings and all is well. The rubber OEM units don't stand the test of time too well.

Do a search on toyota120.com and there's a test for seeing if the bushings are shot.

 

[lehiguy]

If you have installed a lift without replacing the UCAs, you have given up some if not all of your caster which will make it wander and follow every rut and crease in the road.

 

[mxz 600]

No lift kit on my 4 runner.. just hope we can figure it out... thanks for all your suggestions..

 

[mxz 600]

ok - so brought her back to dealer where bought it to have them look at it- they are a very reputable 'honda' dealer in my area. He called me and said the left front and right rear struts where shot - that they all connect someway- that there was some type of leaking from one of them - they are going to replace the two struts and fix the leaking - what do you guys think? will this help my 'floating problem? The service manager did say that when he drove it he def. noticed the "float" .. as i said they are doing this no -charge as i just bought it with 77000 on her.. i would very strongly think that they aren't pulling this stuff out of there ass…. but hey- you never know.

 

[ebg18t]

They are talking about the xreas system. Might be a opportunity to see if they will just install a set of bilstein shocks (4) in place of xreas. Based on the price of xreas this might be cheaper for everyone. If the xreas system is indeed leaking, the lack of dampening control will yeild a floaty/crappy handling feeling.