Loose steering at highway speeds?

D

dcTR4

New member
04 Toyota 4runner with 123k miles is great around town - steering feels tight. However on the highway the steering feels very loose, and im constantly correcting the steering to drive straight.
New tires, new alignment, and new steering shaft have been done. Neither helped the issue. Is it time for new tie rods, ball joints and shocks perhaps?
 
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Do you trust your alignment shop? I’ve had to shop around because I’ve paid for crappy alignments and straight laziness.
 
Could be several things. Has it ever had any front-end work done to it yet? I have a 2005 that I have a similar issue. I just bought Bilstein 5100s. That helped but I suspect there are some worn out Parts in the front end that need replacing. With 166000 miles I consider it a maintenance item not a failure.

Having it checked out by a reputable shop on Monday.

Will let you know what they tell me and if it works. Would be interesting to hear what you find out it on yours as well.

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Thanks for all the feedback; the steering rack has been replaced in addition to the steering shaft i mentioned.

The front end looks tight, but the shocks, ball joints, inner/outer tie rods are all orginal. I am tempted to just call it a day and replace all of it, including the ucas. But i don't want to waste money either.

Ugh. Frustrated

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dcTR4 said:
Thanks for all the feedback; the steering rack has been replaced in addition to the steering shaft i mentioned.

The front end looks tight, but the shocks, ball joints, inner/outer tie rods are all orginal. I am tempted to just call it a day and replace all of it, including the ucas. But i don't want to waste money either.

Ugh. Frustrated

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Be careful throwing new parts at it hoping for a fix. It may fix it or may just cover up the problem for a few miles. Right now the problem may be found fairly easy and corrected, if you replace everything it can complicate diagnosis.

Get it fixed, sounds dangerous to have on the road.
 
Is this a recent problem or is it something long term that you are just starting to dig into?

This generation of 4runner, in my experience, can be a bit "wonder-y" at highway speeds, especially around long banked turns. It's the price you pay for having a relatively tall aspect ratio with pliant suspension. The steering in my truck is soft for my taste (at all speeds).

Might look into the power steering pump. Low engine speeds and high steering input around town might make the wheel feel tighter than it really is if your pump isn't keeping up. Once you get the engine up to speed on the highway and your steering angle decreases the pump isn't struggling any more.

It's a long shot.

bsa70 said:
Be careful throwing new parts at it hoping for a fix.
Click to expand...

Agreed. "Fixing" too many things at once may alter the problem without fixing it and you'll get frustrated when you have to go through everything again to isolate it.
 
ElZilcho said:
Is this a recent problem or is it something long term that you are just starting to dig into?

This generation of 4runner, in my experience, can be a bit "wonder-y" at highway speeds, especially around long banked turns. It's the price you pay for having a relatively tall aspect ratio with pliant suspension. The steering in my truck is soft for my taste (at all speeds).

Might look into the power steering pump. Low engine speeds and high steering input around town might make the wheel feel tighter than it really is if your pump isn't keeping up. Once you get the engine up to speed on the highway and your steering angle decreases the pump isn't struggling any more.

It's a long shot.



Agreed. "Fixing" too many things at once may alter the problem without fixing it and you'll get frustrated when you have to go through everything again to isolate it.
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Its a new to me vehicle, so i dont have much time with it.

Its not just that the steering feels lose, it just feels darty on the highway. Like its not tracking straight and it doesnt feel firm if that makes sense. Almost like its being blown around by the wind and im constantly having to correct it.

As mentioned it has new tires - falken ats. Unfortunately i think these have made the problem worse. And it did receive an alignment and steering shaft from toyota. In going to bring it back today to ask they double check their work and diagnose the issue.

Thanks for everyones feedback. Especially the advice regarding replacing only what needs to be replaced.

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dcTR4 said:
Its a new to me vehicle, so i dont have much time with it.

Its not just that the steering feels lose, it just feels darty on the highway. Like its not tracking straight and it doesnt feel firm if that makes sense. Almost like its being blown around by the wind and im constantly having to correct it.

As mentioned it has new tires - falken ats. Unfortunately i think these have made the problem worse. And it did receive an alignment and steering shaft from toyota. In going to bring it back today to ask they double check their work and diagnose the issue.

Thanks for everyones feedback. Especially the advice regarding replacing only what needs to be replaced.

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Click to expand...

That to me screams alignment. I had an 04 that at one point felt like I could lose control on the freeway because it was so touchy at higher speeds. An alignment fixed it. And I had to take it to an actual alignment shop.
 
simple said:
That to me screams alignment. I had an 04 that at one point felt like I could lose control on the freeway because it was so touchy at higher speeds. An alignment fixed it. And I had to take it to an actual alignment shop.
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Agreed. "Dartyness" makes me think the toe is off. They should check the alignment and give you a print out.
 
Ok heard from the dealer; alignment was slightly off but they said the tire balancing was way off. Everything else looked good according to them.

I knew the tires needed to be rebalanced... but i still think theres something else wrong.
The head shop foreman will drive it on monday and hopefully is able to better diagnose it. Confused.

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dcTR4 said:
Ok heard from the dealer; alignment was slightly off but they said the tire balancing was way off. Everything else looked good according to them.

I knew the tires needed to be rebalanced... but i still think theres something else wrong.
The head shop foreman will drive it on monday and hopefully is able to better diagnose it. Confused.

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Please update us when fixed & good luck!

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dcTR4 said:
04 Toyota 4runner with 123k miles is great around town - steering feels tight. However on the highway the steering feels very loose, and im constantly correcting the steering to drive straight.
New tires, new alignment, and new steering shaft have been done. Neither helped the issue. Is it time for new tie rods, ball joints and shocks perhaps?
Click to expand...
Mine darts like it's playing bar games. I blame the thirty degree bend in my sway bar link.

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simple said:
Do you trust your alignment shop? I’ve had to shop around because I’ve paid for crappy alignments and straight laziness.
Click to expand...
Lifetime alignment: Firestone. Plus you can still shop around for a good tech, at a Firestone.

Sent from my XT1710-02 using Tapatalk
 
dcTR4 said:
04 Toyota 4runner with 123k miles is great around town - steering feels tight. However on the highway the steering feels very loose, and im constantly correcting the steering to drive straight.
New tires, new alignment, and new steering shaft have been done. Neither helped the issue. Is it time for new tie rods, ball joints and shocks perhaps?
Click to expand...
Here's my experience with the issue: I just try not to drive on pavement at this point, for many reasons.

New front end parts:
Strut assemblies
UCA's
LCA bushings
Tie rods (end to end, and my God they were shot!)

Original front end parts I don't trust and must replace before I start addressing the "dartiness" issue:
Wheel bearings
Ball joints
Brake system (currently a combination of squeaking like a mother, warped, and frozen)
Sway bar links

Front end parts I pretend don't exist:
The entire steering system because it gives me anxiety for some reason. Mostly because it looks like a knuckle buster, or very expensive.

My best guess at the cause of my particular problem that sounds identical to yours:
Sway bar link (easy test)

I know bearings can "go out" all of the sudden, but this problem started when I uprooted a tree by sliding into it with my wheel. The only damage was a bent end link and for whatever reason I've spent the last six months doing anything but disconnecting it to see if that's my problem.

I'll let you know what happens when I install my cb tomorrow. I'm sure I'll remember this ridiculous comment and disconnect the damn thing.

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A friend had the same problem with his rig. He tried various fixes with no improvement. He finally down sized the tires, problem went a way and had a much better ride.
 
bsa70 said:
A friend had the same problem with his rig. He tried various fixes with no improvement. He finally down sized the tires, problem went a way and had a much better ride.
Click to expand...
Def not the tires unfortunately. Been through two sets recently (including a downsize).

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