Steering acting goofy

[C_appleton21]

Hey guys, I got a 2007 4Runner with 80k miles and I've got a problem where my steering changes direction between a pull to left and a pull to right all at varying angles. I've taken it to a few places and have got different ideas as of waha wrong. Any of y'all seen this? Getting ready for a 20 hour road trip and would like to get fixed before then. Any help or thoughts of what it could be would help me immensely.

 

[HokieRunner]

Hey guys, I got a 2007 4Runner with 80k miles and I've got a problem where my steering changes direction between a pull to left and a pull to right all at varying angles. I've taken it to a few places and have got different ideas as of waha wrong. Any of y'all seen this? Getting ready for a 20 hour road trip and would like to get fixed before then. Any help or thoughts of what it could be would help me immensely.

I'm sure folks will be glad to try and help diagnose (myself included) but can you provide more details as to the symptoms?

-was there a sudden change from normal steering to the current condition?
-any sort of catalyst? (i.e. hit a curb or pothole or offroad?)
-what did the shops say the possible causes are?
-did you replace anything recently?
-when is it pulling left and right? certain mph? when turning?

 

[absolute yota]

Check the lower control arm bushings and steering rack bushings.

 

[Asmara]

Hey guys, I got a 2007 4Runner with 80k miles and I've got a problem where my steering changes direction between a pull to left and a pull to right all at varying angles. I've taken it to a few places and have got different ideas as of waha wrong. Any of y'all seen this? Getting ready for a 20 hour road trip and would like to get fixed before then. Any help or thoughts of what it could be would help me immensely.

Check your tire pressure.

When I first picked mine up, the 4Runner was scary to drive on the highway. It basically tracked and responded to every imperfection on the road. The vehicle would suddenly track left or right.

The manual and door sticker say tires should be at 32 psi. My tire pressure was higher. Once I lowered the tire pressure, the truck drove normally. Note that lube shops and car wash places sometimes 'do you a favor' and air up your tires. Higher air pressure is supposed to help reduce rolling resistance which will improve mileage. It also makes the 4Runner drive like crap in my case and several others.

 

[C_appleton21]

The problem just started happening the last few weeks. I have put off an alignment for about 8000 miles (I've been busy?) so I took it in to get it looked it done and I was told they couldn't do it due to my rack and pinion rubber bushing was worn and that was causing steering problem. Checked it out myself and couldn't see the problem. Took to mechanic and he agreed with me that it was not the problem. Went to another shop had them align it without sayin anything to see what they'd see, they aligned it and told me my CV Joint was leaking grease (not bad though). After alignment symptons got worse.
Symptoms are:
While driving and any point while driving ill either feel a sharp pull on my hand, so ill steady out and then release my hand and it will significantly pull to either left or right, majority of time it pulls right, but everyone few times it'll be a less distinct pull to the left.

I'm almost starting to think 4runner is so narrow that the wheels are both riding on the inside of normal lines and are subsequently sliding down into other line. Bu even after initial pull it continues, where as once the tire got in groove it would change how hard it pulled.