Need new bushings or steering rack?

[ArmArak]

Ya I'm having the same issue where it drifts to the right. I changed my steering rack bushings, and it did get tighter, but it still drifts. I think the issue is that I never did a panhard drop and I have almost 5 inches of lift in the rear, so my rear axle is shifted to the right a little more than 1/4 inch. This could cause my pulling right?

 

[19963.4lsr5]

Ya I'm having the same issue where it drifts to the right. I changed my steering rack bushings, and it did get tighter, but it still drifts. I think the issue is that I never did a panhard drop and I have almost 5 inches of lift in the rear, so my rear axle is shifted to the right a little more than 1/4 inch. This could cause my pulling right?

That needs adjust so it doesn’t “Bull Dog” and if that isn’t it it could be worn lower front bushings. My rig drives like a new car after replacing mine.


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[ArmArak]

That needs adjust so it doesn’t “Bull Dog” and if that isn’t it it could be worn lower front bushings. My rig drives like a new car after replacing mine.


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What do you mean by "bull dog"? Im going to make my own panhard drop this weekend and ill report back. If it doesnt fix it ill move on to the bushings haha.

 

[CT135]

I've got the panhard correction kit on my 4runner and it's drifting right. I think I'll just have to suck it up and replace the rack and LCA bushings.

Ya I'm having the same issue where it drifts to the right. I changed my steering rack bushings, and it did get tighter, but it still drifts. I think the issue is that I never did a panhard drop and I have almost 5 inches of lift in the rear, so my rear axle is shifted to the right a little more than 1/4 inch. This could cause my pulling right?

 

[19963.4lsr5]

What do you mean by "bull dog"? Im going to make my own panhard drop this weekend and ill report back. If it doesnt fix it ill move on to the bushings haha.

You ever see a bulldog walking down the sidewalk with its arse too the side. Where it’s butt doesn’t track it’s front legs?

In my area of south central PA we call a 4x4 that, where it’s rear axle is not in line with its front axle, bulldogging. it happens in the bulldog breed where they walk sideways.


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[CT135]

It’s been a while but I wanted to update this for anyone searching with a similar issue... thank you for the suggestions about the lca bushings being the cause of my 4runner pulling to the right. I replaced the lca bushings (white line) and the steering rack bushings (energy suspension) and it drives perfect now. No new rack needed and less than $100 in parts.

 

[FD7683]

I replaced mine with Energy Suspension bushings today and while I was torquing my bolts, the lower bolt which goes to the bracket gave out a significant *pop* and the bolt kept spinning after that - it was tight enough so I just left it. Is this a common problem for rustbelt trucks?

The rack is much tighter now but i'm curious if it's normal to have a very small amount of play. I'm talking about 0.75 inches of play when rocking it left and right.

* Not my picture but the bolt reference is there*

 

[alumarine]

I replaced mine with Energy Suspension bushings today and while I was torquing my bolts, the lower bolt which goes to the bracket gave out a significant *pop* and the bolt kept spinning after that - it was tight enough so I just left it. Is this a common problem for rustbelt trucks?

The rack is much tighter now but i'm curious if it's normal to have a very small amount of play. I'm talking about 0.75 inches of play when rocking it left and right.

* Not my picture but the bolt reference is there*

I replaced my bushings because I had 3/4" of play.
Now I have virtually no play.

 

[Skulking]

I replaced mine with Energy Suspension bushings today and while I was torquing my bolts, the lower bolt which goes to the bracket gave out a significant *pop* and the bolt kept spinning after that - it was tight enough so I just left it. Is this a common problem for rustbelt trucks?

The rack is much tighter now but i'm curious if it's normal to have a very small amount of play. I'm talking about 0.75 inches of play when rocking it left and right.

* Not my picture but the bolt reference is there*

A pop followed by the bolt spinning sounds like a broken bolt to me. If it were me, I'd remove the nut and bolt and pull the bracket off to check for what broke. I'd also be hoping for a broken bolt rather than pulled threads because it will be a lot easier to fix.

 

[Bad Luck]

A pop followed by the bolt spinning sounds like a broken bolt to me. If it were me, I'd remove the nut and bolt and pull the bracket off to check for what broke. I'd also be hoping for a broken bolt rather than pulled threads because it will be a lot easier to fix.

I replaced mine with Energy Suspension bushings today and while I was torquing my bolts, the lower bolt which goes to the bracket gave out a significant *pop* and the bolt kept spinning after that - it was tight enough so I just left it. Is this a common problem for rustbelt trucks?

The rack is much tighter now but i'm curious if it's normal to have a very small amount of play. I'm talking about 0.75 inches of play when rocking it left and right.

* Not my picture but the bolt reference is there*

That would be the captured nut breaking free of it's welds. As long as it's tight you are good for now, but if you want to fix it you'll have to cut open the bottom piece below where the captured nut is to replace the nut and/or weld in a new nut.

 

[spartacus]

A cage nut could also be an option but [MENTION=8262]badluck[/MENTION] suggestion is the correct one.
editBad Luck

 

[bunsofjam]

Thanks for the update

It’s been a while but I wanted to update this for anyone searching with a similar issue... thank you for the suggestions about the lca bushings being the cause of my 4runner pulling to the right. I replaced the lca bushings (white line) and the steering rack bushings (energy suspension) and it drives perfect now. No new rack needed and less than $100 in parts.

Thanks for the update, was wondering how this all turned out. I am in about the same predicament, mechanic said I need a new Rack, willing to do it myself but if I can just do bushings I would prefer that. I don't have any pulling left or right, just a bad alignment and lots of play in the steering.

 

[CT135]

Thanks for the update, was wondering how this all turned out. I am in about the same predicament, mechanic said I need a new Rack, willing to do it myself but if I can just do bushings I would prefer that. I don't have any pulling left or right, just a bad alignment and lots of play in the steering.

Yeah its worth a shot to do lca and steering rack bushings first. Even if you still need a new rack both of those items are a great thing to do anyways. And it may solve your problem and save you $500.