very difficult to keep '04 in the lane at hwy speeds

[cornerfreak]

I've searched around and come up with nothing. It's an '04 SR5 2WD with 80K miles. I purchased it new in '04. It's always been a little difficult to control at speed, but, in the last year it's become absurd. On some windy days, I feel that it takes all of my concentration to keep it under control at 75 - then, I get passed by various other cars and SUVs that appear to be having no such difficulties. It's quite annoying.

I've had new tires installed at 65K, rotated at 75K, and had it aligned twice in the last year. I had the dealer inspect the steering and they said everything was fine.

Arrrrghhh!!!

 

[CRDT4R]

mine definitely tends to pull on the highways, especially around semi trucks, the wind knocks you around pretty well.

 

[jharris2]

What pressure are you keeping the tires at? If mine are too high then it feels "bouncy" and hard to control.

 

[A10MileHusker]

Well obviously, while passing semi's you're going to feel a pull and a push. A pull while you're in the middle of the trailer and a push once you pass the nose of the semi. That's just how it works with the wind.

However, I did notice on my trip from CO to NE that the 4R did have a tendency to be affected by wind more than my previous Range Rover. All it has to do is with the weight of the car, the power of the wind, and the strength of your grip on the steering wheel. All SUV's have been trying to go lighter because of costs. That being said, they're going to be pushed by the wind easier.

I eventually got used to the wind and was able to counteract the push almost immediately.

Hope your frustrations are soon subsided.

Happy Holidays!

Doug

 

[CJ3Flyr]

I've searched around and come up with nothing. It's an '04 SR5 2WD with 80K miles. I purchased it new in '04. It's always been a little difficult to control at speed, but, in the last year it's become absurd. On some windy days, I feel that it takes all of my concentration to keep it under control at 75 - then, I get passed by various other cars and SUVs that appear to be having no such difficulties. It's quite annoying.

I've had new tires installed at 65K, rotated at 75K, and had it aligned twice in the last year. I had the dealer inspect the steering and they said everything was fine.

Arrrrghhh!!!

Tire pressure, brand and design all factor in. Some other things to consider: 1) Alignment: Ask to have it set to the upper-end of the spec for caster. 2) The suspension is getting a little softer with age. Click on the swaybar bushing link in my sig. This inexpensive mod will help offset the aging suspension.

Back when it didn't bother you so much what tires did it have? What tires do you have now?

Good luck!

:cheers:

 

[HB 4X4]

You can also look in to a pair of upper control arms which will help stability at higher speeds.

 

[Atlanta_man]

toe-in correction cured this for me at one time years ago (front end alignment)

 

[ALLEGRO]

I was just bragging as we drove to Christmas Eve dinner in the wind and rain, of how GREAT my Limited tracks straight and true. I hope mine stays the way it is and that you guys get yours back in line (pardon the pun) ASAP

 

[Dbone]

This is interesting...

When we test drove before buying, the 4Runner tester we had seemed to do this a bit on the highway. It wasn't terrible but it just seemed a little fidgety and in need of constant steering correction....

Oddly enough the exact truck that I purchased does not suffer from this. It tracks really well on the highway and I don't find that I constantly need to correct steering etc.

Good luck

 

[magnumfan]

what rims and tires are you running?

I have two sets for mine, an on road set and and off road set.

I have a limited with 18'' wheels, so the bridgestone H/T's in a 265/65/18 give great on road performance, no much noise etc, but are not very good off road, so

I bought a set of 17'' stock toyota rims and put BFG Mud Terrains on them in 255/75/17

They dont drive nearly as well on the road, I could complain about them, but they are great off road - which is what i wanted.

the big difference here is the profile percentage rating 65 Vs 75 and the rim size 17'' Vs 18'' so the amount of rubber between the wheel rim and road surface is much more with the off road tires, that cussion is great for off road, but sucks for on road driving, cornering etc

I suspect your problem is that. if it isnt, then it could be a suspension issue, which could be very expesnsive....

its sometimes hard to figure out, without looking at the truck

has it been in an accident? is the vehicle square? and does it drive in a straight line properly or does it crab when it drives down a flat road - a lot of lifted trucks will do that. the give away is the tires always wear unevenly

good luck

joe