Steering issue help

[52577]

Hello everyone ... Okay I need your help.

First here are my specs:

2004 SR5 Base V8 RWD
34K original, 1 owner miles (I'm the 2nd owner) condition is like new.
Tires: 4 Michelin LTX MS2, P265/70 R 16 – majority of tread left.

The 4Runner was exhibiting a bit of wandering on the highway, slight groove and bump steering. Not bad as some of the threads I've read where it dangerously hops lanes when it hits a bump. Mine is slight. Also excessive lean in turns.

So... I figured it was the alignment as the pre-purchase inspection indicated front end needed aligned. I had it aligned at Toyota and handled slightly better but didn't completely fix it. My second guess, as well as other suggestions on here, it was most likely the nearly 15 year old shocks.

The replaced parts:

NEW Bilstein shocks
NEW rubber shock bushings
NEW top mounts
NEW rubber spring seats
NEW 2nd alignment

The tech said the original shocks were not leaking and showed no signs of failure.

With new Bilstien's and busihings handling has improved, and cornering is tighter. However the power steering seems a bit too easy at highways speeds and not as tight and precise as I'd hoped for. Hitting grooves in the road and it tends to sligtly steers into them, not over them, and I'm constantly correcting back and forth with the steering wheel. It's not as tight and confidence inspiring like other vehicles I've owned.

All the treads I read on the subject suggest:
- Ball joints
- Tie rod ends inner and outer
- Stabilizer bar bushings
- Wheel bearings
- Control arm bushings
- Steering wheel intermediate shaft

All of these are in good condition according to the Toyota pre-purchase inspection, as they should be with such extraordinarlly low miles, garage kept, and never abused or off-roaded. I'm assuming the Toyota tech did his due diligence and properly checked the steering components.

Is this just how the 4Runners handle by design? I've never owned one before so I don't know.

Could it be as simple as the tires? I see that Michelin has recalled some LTX MS2 tires, but my DOT codes are not part of that recall.

https://www.michelinman.com/US/en/help/safety-recalls/latitude-tour.html

Any suggestions are appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[offshorebear]

I also have a 2004. I just replaced the original stabilizer bar bushings with the red poly ones. The originals look fine, but the new bushings greatly improved steering feel.

Do you get any clunk noise when running over small bumps?

 

[52577]

... No clunks or rattles or squeeks when going over bumps.





..

 

[waypoint]

Front swaybar bushings and end links would be my next project. Tie rod ends, ball joints, and wheel bearings are easily diagnosed or ruled out on a lift or jacking up one wheel at a time and testing for play/runout/noise. Control arm bushings are more difficult to diagnose and rarely fail on these trucks at low mileage.

The swaybar can exert force in strange ways during cornering and bumps if the bushings and/or end links are worn or damaged. With excessive play, it becomes a spring with delayed force transfer between the deflecting wheel and it's opposite.

Moog makes nice replacement bushings and end links. Be sure you remove and install the parts with the vehicle level and both wheels at same height to avoid problems. Preferred method is with the suspension at normal height, e.g. ramps or jackstands if you're doing the project at home.

 

[Geologist]

Do you get any clunk noise when running over small bumps?

What would that indicate is wrong? I have it and it drives me crazy. Not running a sway bar though.

 

[52577]

Can soft sidewall tires and/or failing rubber components cause steering problems, or tires to drift?


.

 

[waypoint]

Can soft sidewall tires and/or failing rubber components cause steering problems, or tires to drift?

What are the date codes on your tires?

 

[Trumpet]

Can soft sidewall tires and/or failing rubber components cause steering problems, or tires to drift?


.

Yes.

You could also try increasing you tire pressure a couple psi per , and see if that helps as well.

 

[jonnys]

I also encounter this strange issue, and no steering concerns were brought up (even after mentioning it) at my local shop.

On highway, if the road has slight grooves, the truck likes to 'jump' into the grooves which can sometimes be disconcerting. If the road is flat and new, this problem does not happen, which makes me believe this is simply how the steering is designed for these SUVs.

Granted, I need new tires, and would assume this would help with this issue, but as mentioned this does not occur on newer, flatter roads.

2006 SR5 stock

 

[radlynx]

I also encounter this strange issue, and no steering concerns were brought up (even after mentioning it) at my local shop.

On highway, if the road has slight grooves, the truck likes to 'jump' into the grooves which can sometimes be disconcerting. If the road is flat and new, this problem does not happen, which makes me believe this is simply how the steering is designed for these SUVs.

Granted, I need new tires, and would assume this would help with this issue, but as mentioned this does not occur on newer, flatter roads.

2006 SR5 stock

how's your toe alignment?

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[radlynx]

I also encounter this strange issue, and no steering concerns were brought up (even after mentioning it) at my local shop.

On highway, if the road has slight grooves, the truck likes to 'jump' into the grooves which can sometimes be disconcerting. If the road is flat and new, this problem does not happen, which makes me believe this is simply how the steering is designed for these SUVs.

Granted, I need new tires, and would assume this would help with this issue, but as mentioned this does not occur on newer, flatter roads.

2006 SR5 stock

Effects of Toe

Excessive toe increases tire scuffing and results in tire wear and drag on the vehicle. Excessive toe-in, or positive toe, increases scuffing on the outside of the tire.Excessive toe-out, or negative toe, increases scuffing on the inside of the tire, and in some cases can cause a darting or wandering problem.*Bias or bias-belted tires will commonly show a featheredge or saw-tooth toe wear pattern across the entire tire tread area. Any tire wear pattern caused by a toe condition can be further affected by an excess camber condition and may result in irregular wear patterns.

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[52577]

What are the date codes on your tires?

Ya know, that's a good question. Everywhere I searched online to explain how to read a tire's cryptic numbers I can't find that data on my these tire. Every other vehicle no problem. I believe they were purchased 3-4 years ago by the original owner.

Below are pictures of my tire's tread. They're in good condition visually.

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/3klyuq61t14lc3b/AAAhJkFw-os0q_aR9Cmy1bIga?dl=0


.

 

[hoodoo]

All tires have DOT codes.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tire#Markings

 

[52577]

All tires have DOT codes.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tire#Markings

Right. But mine do not have a date after the DOT. See pic

DOT M3JC KC9X

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/3klyuq61t14lc3b/AAAhJkFw-os0q_aR9Cmy1bIga?dl=0

.

 

[waypoint]

Check the other tires, or the opposite sidewall of the tire you photographed...you're looking for a 4-digit number, no letters.

 

[52577]

Also adding to my post above. I just talked with the Tech who installed the Bilstein's.

He confirmed checked all the suspension and steering components, tire rods inner and outer tight, ball joints are all tight. Sway bar bushing good. No cracks or degradation in any rubber bushings. Sway bar end links are solid.

Just wanted to add this to the puzzle.

 

[52577]

Check the other tires, or the opposite sidewall of the tire you photographed...you're looking for a 4-digit number, no letters.

Okay. Got it. It was on the inner side of the tire. Really hard to get to and see.

1013

How old before tires need to be replaced? See previous post that shows tread

 

[radlynx]

Okay. Got it. It was on the inner side of the tire. Really hard to get to and see.

1013

How old before tires need to be replaced? See previous post that shows tread

View attachment 278325

you are still good. between 5-10 years is the recommended replacement.

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[52577]

I'm here again to report that the loose, slightly wandering steering is still present. After much exhaustive searching I found this thread (link below) ...

According to the write-up and and many who have done this fix indicate:

" ... A slip joint along the steering column, (which is designed to collapse during a front end collision), develops a small amount of play over time ... The play is small at the joint but magnified at the steering wheel."

Diagnose and Fix Steering Play/Rattle - TTORA Forum

I do not have the clunking or rattle that others with that issue indicate. It still would be worth checking out.

However, since I'm not a mechanic this is daunting. I will have to find a mechanic willing to check this. Fooling with the steering like this makes me nervous.

Anybody else have this issue and this fixed it?

..

 

[52577]

I'm updating this tread that I started in the event someone else has the same issue.

My tires had great tread life left but were 6 years old from the previous owner. I didn't suspect them because they appeared to be in like-new condition. I replaced all four with a new set of Michelin's and four TPMS and all-wheel alignment.

I get that 4Runners are not sports cars and have lighter steering so it's not perfect. I've learned that most recommend six year tire life max even if tread is still good. This seemed to work in my case. The newer Michelin's are newer/updated design than the pervious ones I had. Steering is now greatly improved.

I also found out the TMPS's are not that expensive and I'm glad I have them working now. These Michelin's are great cruising tires - comfortable and quiet and handle well in the rain.