Steering on '06 Sport

[majognam]

I'm already posted in someone else's similar thread but my question is different enough and I'm looking for a quick answer I thought I'd start my own. Here is the link to the other post...

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=16874

I'm about to buy a new Sport. I love it. The steering feels a bit loose to me. I'm thinking this is because I'm not a truck/suv driver. Corolla and Civic... If that's the way she rides, I'll get used to it. I just want to be sure I don't have a funny steering issue on it, what are the odds, right.

I plan to go to the dealership today and request to drive another Sport. Just for comparison. In addition, I was hoping for some opinions.

Let me clarify, if I let go of the wheel on a straight-away, she tracks straight.

Here's my question; is your steering tight? When you hold the wheel on a straight-away do you have any play? Here's what I mean, during the natural sway you get driving on any road when you adjust, in a car, you turn the wheel any amount and the car moves with the wheel immediately. Tight. On this 4runner you move the wheel a tiny bit before it reacts. Looser. Sound right?

Thanks in advance!!

 

[sharp4runr]

ahh I know exactly what you mean. When I took my driver's ed class we were stuck with a car that didn't track right (pulled to the left naturally without any steering input) and also the wheels didn't react quickly with steering input. I would start turning the steering wheel and the vehicle would continue going in whatever direction it was already going. I'd have to turn the steering wheel about .5" before the vehicle would redirect.

On my particular 4runner it reacts instantly to steering input. I hope I'm making sense in the paragraph above and hope it helps in your situation. Drive a few more SE at the dealership and make your own decision.

Did the SR5 you test drove also exhibit the same symptoms or just that particular SE?

 

[majognam]

SR5 felt tighter. I'm going to the dealership today. I'm thinking it's just a totally different ride and I'll get used to it. Driving another one will tell me that real quick.

 

[majognam]

Ok, I drove another Sport. Black, what a beauty. Too bad my wife insists on white, although that's sharp as well. Anywho...

I think it's the way a Sport drives. There's play in the wheel. It's fine. It doesn't really bug me and I know I'll get used to it.

I can jiggle the wheel back and forth slightly while I drive and the truck doesn't even flinch. A different truck. It's just not as 'tight' or sensitive as a car. I'm so happy I drove another one. Thanks to those that suggested it.

It's hard to tell because I drove the other one last night. The one today may have been a bit tighter but I'm sure it's all in my mind. I was just happy to feel the looseness in the second one as well.

I hope these threads help someone else with the same question in the future. We get it tomorrow!! Woo Hoo! I will post back in a week or so and give you a more experienced final answer.

Thanks for the feedback!!

 

[OUTRNNR]

I'm not sure why the steering on an SR5 felt tighter than the Sport Edition. If anything it should be the other way around due to the XREAS and possible lower profile tires of the sport. Once I put my 18" wheels on with 60 series tires, my SE felt a little tighter at highway speeds.

The truth is no SUV is going to steer like a car, not even the luxo utes. This is mainly because of a higher roll interia associated with a higher center of gravity. Just the fact that the SUV is taller than a car leads to a decrease in stability and responsiveness of the steering, among other things. Another contributing factor in the "numb on-center steering" of SUV's is the mechanics of the steering system itself. Cars have delicate, precisely engineered steering systems like a rack and pinion that responds to even the minutest of inputs. SUV's can't afford to have a weak steering system, as it would suffer off-road. Therefore, larger less precise and less nimble systems are in place, like the recirulating ball.

No matter what model 4Runner you choose, its not going to steer like a car, even with XREAS and low-profile tires. However, the 4Runner, in my opinion, is a very good compromise for SUV ruggedness, and everyday drivability.

 

[rossmon1]

steering

w/o detail, just want2say that my other car is an s2000 and i commute everyday on a motorcycle, so i am used to tight steering and excellent handling.
i am very happy with my sport, amazed at how well it holds the road despite being a truck chassied suv.

 

[UoD]

Yeah --- when I did my test drives, the sport definitely felt much tighter. Actually, I have heard complaints that the sport edition is a little too tight for some.

 

[majognam]

Thank you for all of the input. I can't wait for tomorrow!!

 

[tkr128]

I know the feeling. I went from driving a Corolla and an Accord to the 4Runner and it's a different feeling. I'm switching off between the Corolla and the 4Runner now, and it's really apparent when you come from one into the other. I kind of like it, it keeps you from wandering into the next lane if you move the wheel a little. Oddly enough, my 4Runner handles body roll a lot better than the Corolla does.

 

[rokinkead]

It is possible that the play can be reduced by adjustment. That was done a '96 that I had a few years back. One thing I know is that the 4runner steering is designed to greatly minimize feedback from rough terrain at the steering wheel.

 

[M3_962]

I notice some feeling of play. You end up moving the steering wheel a little bit back and forth, near center, sometimes, because of that play.

I don't think it's actually much play in the steering system, as in slop in the rack, but maybe just due to suspension bushings, tires, etc. I wonder if higher tire pressure would help.

I just picked up my Titanium Sport V6 last night and it's awesome! I'm very impressed by the X-REAS