Steering problem on 04 4runner

[khadux]

The light steering on my 04 4runner has a tendency to wander a bit on highways and requiring lots of little minor steering adjustments to keep it straight, especially on windy days. This is kind of bothersome. Does anyone here have this problem?

 

[bulldog-yota]

SOunds normal to me, depend on what you describe as wonder.

I had a sport suspension BMW before, so I assumed it is just part of SUV land.

MIne does a little bit pending on circumstance, but it is very little and not dangerous at all.

 

[Iowa4Runner]

Windy days, especially cross winds, are always going to be a problem. It's one of those things drivers of high profile vehicles have to live with. If the wandering is excessive on calm days you might have tire or alignment issues.

 

[Kanab]

It's normal, lower your tire pressure to 28 psi that should help some. I keep my tires at 35 psi since I have the good ones (michelin Crossterrains) and want them to last, this higher psi causes a rougher/bouncer ride and feels like it is effected more by the cross winds.

 

[tkr128]

Same experience here. I expected it when I bought an SUV. You'll know there's a problem when it wanders a lot on extermely smooth pavement. Mine wanders quite a bit on bumpy pavement, but is absolutley calm on smooth pavement.

 

[khadux]

This is my first SUV or high profile vehicle, so I've never had this experience. Thanks to everyone for the info.

 

[Hitman]

I don't feel that my 4Runner wanders at all, but it is definitely susceptible to high cross-winds at highway speeds.

Then again, every other SUV I've driven behaves the same way.... I guess that's what happens when you drive a high-profile brick on a really windy day.

 

[mjfrank]

Have you checked your tire pressure? Right after I bought it I noticed that my 4R was wandering lanes, and had a somewhat rigid ride.

I drove it for about two weeks, and then I thought maybe I should check the tire pressure, in case the dealer put a little too much in.

All my tires were at 44psi cold! Thanks Toyota dealer! I dropped them all to 34psi, and it rides and drives much better.

On the down side, I now get about 1mpg less than before.