Please share reasons my new 07 T4R is not tracking good (Certified w/43K mi).

[jow]

Please share reasons my new 07 T4R is not tracking good (Certified w/43K mi).

1. I would almost call the steering stiff with a constant need to adjust with resistance.

2. It drifted on the Service Tech that felt it was normal and very small adjustments were made, that d/n help.

3. I c/n feel/see any free-play and can turn it with my small finger on my garage’s floor.

4. Will new tires or larger tires (than I’m use to using) possibly cause me to feel this stiffness?

5. Please share experiences or what might help me get past this uncomfortable matter.

jow

 

[chaz]

not really sure what ur saying, its very stiff with alot of resistance yet u can turn it easily with ur little finger?

 

[Mike07SE]

I would get your tires rebalanced. We just got the latest/greatest Hunter machine where I work and did a huge difference for me. I was actually going to get an alignment, but it's not needed now.

 

[norcal2]

Is it tramlining on certain roads? Ive had tires over the years that were more prone to this than others...

 

[Doozi]

Mine felt like that (I called it "darty") with the stock Dunlops. I got new Goodyears, adjusted the tire pressure, and the dartiness just about went away... much more "stable" at highway speed now.

~Doozi

 

[M1911]

They all do that.

Unfortunately, the 4th Gen 4Runners don't seem to track very well down the highway. Mine was very bad when new. I replaced the OEM Dunlops with Michelin Cross Terrains, and that improved tracking. But it still wanders a fair bit in comparison to Mrs. M1911s C300.

 

[cali_axela]

What are your tire pressures set at? When I bought mine, they were really high (40+ psi COLD), lowered to about 36psi cold and made a substantial improvement. Worth a shot if your pressures are also set high currently. This is with the stock tires btw.

 

[galactic_04]

it bugged me at first too. Getting out of the 4runner into the MR2 I'd be swerving all over the place.

 

[Asmara]

What are your tire pressures set at? When I bought mine, they were really high (40+ psi COLD), lowered to about 36psi cold and made a substantial improvement. Worth a shot if your pressures are also set high currently. This is with the stock tires btw.

:iagree: I had the same problem. Lowered the tire pressure to 32psi and all my tracking problems went away. Drives like normal now.

 

[97BlackAckCL]

:iagree: I had the same problem. Lowered the tire pressure to 32psi and all my tracking problems went away. Drives like normal now.

ditto

 

[jow]

Thanks! For all your replies. I’ll try to answer or comment in the order you replied.

1. The steering wheel is not free of slight resistance I can feel when correcting drifting.

2. 4 new Geolandar H/T.S Yokohama P265/70R16 were mounted/balanced & aligned after my concern.

3. No Tramlining on certain roads. I am noticing this on concrete and asphalt surfaces at 40-60 mph mainly.

4. This body size & tires are new to me. I drove a 1993 Explorer the last 15 years (15” Michelin M+S).

5. The Service Writer is saying this is the nature of the T4R due to the truck frame under the T4R (I need to re-test drive 2-3).

6. The tire pressure is 40 PSI. I noticed 32 PSI in the door jam. I felt 40 related to this tire since PSI/adjusted was noted.

7. I felt my Ford Explorer of 15 year and my wife’s Toyota Camry the last 4 mo spoiled me. I c/n ask for any better tracking.

My next step will be to lower the air pressure and hopefully get some better tracking. Otherwise I’ll consider having it checked at a different Toyota Dealer (while I'm in my 30-day/3000 mi Bumper-To-Bumper that comes with the Toyota Certification).

jow

 

[cali_axela]

As long as the load rating on your new tires is equal to that of the stock tires, stick closer to the truck's recommended 32psi -- tire places always over-inflate them because a) it ensures the bead seals properly and b) it's safer than underinflation, that way they don't have to know how heavy your vehicle is when throwing them on and sending you out the door.

In short, set the psi to 34psi or so all around (cold! not after driving!) and you should feel a nice improvement.

 

[jow]

I’ll get to the lower tire pressure 33-34 vs 40 psi when the weather is better here (next week hopefully). Meanwhile, have you heard or seen the stock shocks to cause drifting (maybe due to a lack of stiffness)? Would the stock shocks “Normally” need replacing at 43,000 mi? If so, what would be a good tast to show the Dealer the need while in my Certification 30 day/3,000 window (when all is to meet “Like New Standard” or replaced? Thanks! jow

 

[Asmara]

I’ll get to the lower tire pressure 33-34 vs 40 psi when the weather is better here (next week hopefully). Meanwhile, have you heard or seen the stock shocks to cause drifting (maybe due to a lack of stiffness)? Would the stock shocks “Normally” need replacing at 43,000 mi? If so, what would be a good tast to show the Dealer the need while in my Certification 30 day/3,000 window (when all is to meet “Like New Standard” or replaced? Thanks! jow

I had a leaking shock when I bought my 4Runner at 100K. I replaced all 4 shocks with KYB shocks (basically OEM). I thought that might help but the problem didn't go away until I lowered the air pressure on the tires.

 

[THEROK]

They all do that.

Unfortunately, the 4th Gen 4Runners don't seem to track very well down the highway. Mine was very bad when new. I replaced the OEM Dunlops with Michelin Cross Terrains, and that improved tracking. But it still wanders a fair bit in comparison to Mrs. M1911s C300.

yupp

 

[jow]

As long as the load rating on your new tires is equal to that of the stock tires, stick closer to the truck's recommended 32psi -- tire places always over-inflate them because a) it ensures the bead seals properly and b) it's safer than underinflation, that way they don't have to know how heavy your vehicle is when throwing them on and sending you out the door.

In short, set the psi to 34psi or so all around (cold! not after driving!) and you should feel a nice improvement.

I set the tires' psi from 42–43 to 34 and I’m feeling “a nice improvement”. It’s like I’m in a different zone with a very slight need to adjust. It’s Time To Ride And Break The Beast In! Thanks To All Of You!!!! jow

 

[jow]

Techs,
A Good And Bad Experience Today! I drove my daughter 2010 Highlander and it tracked as bad as my recent purchased 07 T4R. I suggested that the tire’s lower 32-34 psi helped me. Is this not an issue to most drivers or most drivers d/n know any better?? jow