Loose steering at highway speeds?

[dcTR4]

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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Yeah please keep me informed. Hopefully this thread will serve others who have the same issue, too.

I did replace the sway bar bushings recently but didnt check the sway bar links.

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[81runner]

Surprised nobody ever bothered to mention TIRE PRESSURE: do you know what the pressure is when the tires are cold? Over inflated tires will minimize the contact patch on the road, which will feel like 4runner ice-capades at freeway speed. Door tag says what the pressure is supposed to be, I'd check it to be sure before condemning hardware. Tire shops are notorious for over inflating tires...my .02

 

[dcTR4]

Surprised nobody ever bothered to mention TIRE PRESSURE: do you know what the pressure is when the tires are cold? Over inflated tires will minimize the contact patch on the road, which will feel like 4runner ice-capades at freeway speed. Door tag says what the pressure is supposed to be, I'd check it to be sure before condemning hardware. Tire shops are notorious for over inflating tires...my .02

Ive tried 32 psi all around and up to 35 psi. No luck. Thanks for the reply.


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[HyperMike]

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).

I'll add my $0.02 worth to this. I just recently purchased an '08 4Runner and in my search I test-drove literally a dozen 4th Gen 4runners and I found every single one of them to have a "Wandery" feel to them on the highway, just as ElZilcho suggested. They all required almost constant, albeit minor, adjustment at the steering wheel to keep them going in a straight line at highway speeds. The effect was even more pronounced when it was windy out. I also find mine quite sensitive to any crowning in the road surface.

None of that is to say that you don't have a different more significant issue, especially if we're talking about something other than minor adjustments at the steering wheel, but I'd hate for someone to be throwing parts at a problem that wasn't really a problem.

Cheers!

 

[Billynath1988]

This is almost 100% a caster issue. Assuming all things have been checked and are in good functioning condition.. You lost caster somewhere in your alignment and you need to get align it back. somewhere north of 3 degrees should be good.

your inner tie rods could be worn also your steering rack. But id start with the caster.

 

[cloud]

This is almost 100% a caster issue. Assuming all things have been checked and are in good functioning condition.. You lost caster somewhere in your alignment and you need to get align it back. somewhere north of 3 degrees should be good.

your inner tie rods could be worn also your steering rack. But id start with the caster.

I absolutely need different upper control arms. I'm sure that will be quite apparent when I pick up my truck in a few minutes with 35s on it.

As [MENTION=285350]HyperMike[/MENTION] said, I'd hate to see someone needlessly buy and install all the parts I have if the issue is pretty standard. Mine darts enough to be unsafe to drive at speed, technically. No Jeep wobble though.

I'm already replacing all these parts and none are really because of the darting issue. It bugs me though.

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[dcTR4]

Ok gents....we have a winner.

Toyota rebalanced the tires and redid the alignment. Guess what? 75% of the “darty” nature of the 4Runner at highway speeds is gone. There is still is about an 2inches of dead zone in the steering wheel at high speeds (as in, I can move it back and forth and the vehicles doesnt do much) but it feels substantially better.

I just wanted to thank everyone for their suggestions and feedback. I think I may still replace the shocks, tie rods and ball joints since I’d love for it to ride like “new”. But I am much happier than I was at the start of this thread.


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[cloud]

Ok gents....we have a winner.

Toyota rebalanced the tires and redid the alignment. Guess what? 75% of the “darty” nature of the 4Runner at highway speeds is gone. There is still is about an 2inches of dead zone in the steering wheel at high speeds (as in, I can move it back and forth and the vehicles doesnt do much) but it feels substantially better.

I just wanted to thank everyone for their suggestions and feedback. I think I may still replace the shocks, tie rods and ball joints since I’d love for it to ride like “new”. But I am much happier than I was at the start of this thread.


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Hey I have freshly balanced wheels too! I wish I could say it made a difference but they're demolishing my calipers right now. Glad to know that might fix it. I did have a problem of weights getting knocked off of my wheel by the sway bar. Fingers crossed!

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[nevada]

This is almost 100% a caster issue. Assuming all things have been checked and are in good functioning condition.. You lost caster somewhere in your alignment and you need to get align it back. somewhere north of 3 degrees should be good.

your inner tie rods could be worn also your steering rack. But id start with the caster.

caster was my first thought also. im guessing its low.

 

[ElZilcho]

Toyota rebalanced the tires and redid the alignment. Guess what? 75% of the “darty” nature of the 4Runner at highway speeds is gone. There is still is about an 2inches of dead zone in the steering wheel at high speeds (as in, I can move it back and forth and the vehicles doesnt do much) but it feels substantially better

Do you mind posting the alignment specs (before & after)? I'm just curious.

I find the steering a bit numb in the 4th gen especially in terms of on-center feel. Adding a bit of caster (up to the limit of factory spec) can help but still doesn't make it as sharp as I like. That said, glad you found a cure.

 

[dcTR4]

Do you mind posting the alignment specs (before & after)? I'm just curious.

I find the steering a bit numb in the 4th gen especially in terms of on-center feel. Adding a bit of caster (up to the limit of factory spec) can help but still doesn't make it as sharp as I like. That said, glad you found a cure.

Unfortunately I never received them. Sorry

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[AuSeeker]

Unfortunately I never received them. Sorry

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You have to ask for the specs, otherwise they don't normally provide them to a customer, but most all alignment shops and dealerships will give them to you upon request especially if you ask in advance.

 

[Sportznut]

Ok. I went ahead and had a bunch of work done at 3 different shops in hopes to eliminating "dartiness" and wandering at highway speeds.

1. Bilsteins 5100 's all around and said add .85 on the front end.

Results - improved about 50%.

2. Add power steering fluid flushed and replaced. It was black.

Results - steering is much stiffer now, discovered a leak in the axles, did not really improve the highway manners.

3. Had complete LCA' replaced on both sides. Had both CV axles replaced and had the vehicle aligned.

Results - Highway manners were much worse and the darting returned dramatically.
...see#4 on my next post.

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[Sportznut]

4. I took it back to have it re-aligned. That dramatically improved the highway manners. My final alignment specifications are attached.

I still have maybe 1 in of dead space in steering wheel.

I am thinking steering rack bushings but the mechanic says they aren't needed.

All the work that has been done so far has added up to about $2,000.

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