Wandering steering at highway speeds, more Caster?

[Bill Meyer]

So I've been fighting this for years now on my 06. Steering isn't terrible, but on long cross country trips it's just tiring, the constant corrections, it just doesn't center well. .. and it wind, forget about it, my wife won't even take a turn at the wheel going across windy Kansas.

We're at 105K miles, but this has been an issue since we got it at 40K. The only thing that helped a bit was having an alignment tech specifically dial in 1/8th toe in for the front and close to max caster at 3.8. That was maybe a 50% improvement, but it's still not great. For comparison, my 98 4runner was a perfect travel companion, tracked great.

I see aftermarket upper control arms that increase caster, meant for lifted vehicles.. wondering if I could fit these and go beyond factory specs, to say like 5?

Not sure what else to look at.. somebody suggested maybe firmer springs/shocks could help.

 

[2021nightshade4x4]

Yes, more positive caster.


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[GBagwell]

I would also ask what wheels you are running. And tire size. If the wheel offset is different than factory it can effect the Steering Axis Inclination. That will induce bump steer as well as require more correction input when dealing with wind and stuff.

 

[Bill Meyer]

Truck is totally stock, so 17's.

I've always wondered if the soft suspension of the 06 is to blame, my 98 was much firmer. Seems the front geometry and parts and fairly similar between the two, so..

 

[GBagwell]

And you verified no worn out tie rod ends or ball joints etc. ?

 

[Bill Meyer]

Yes, steering is very tight. Latest alignment specific shop checked everything closely, said it was good. This was a problem when near new.. I guess I wouldn't say a problem, just not a great driver. Love the truck, so looking to see if others have dealt with it.

I'm starting to wonder if it's just inherent in the Gen 4's, so starting to think out side the box a bit, with maybe aftermarket solutions. More caster and a firmer set of shocks/springs.

 

[chompster4runner]

Yes, steering is very tight. Latest alignment specific shop checked everything closely, said it was good. This was a problem when near new.. I guess I wouldn't say a problem, just not a great driver. Love the truck, so looking to see if others have dealt with it.

I'm starting to wonder if it's just inherent in the Gen 4's, so starting to think out side the box a bit, with maybe aftermarket solutions. More caster and a firmer set of shocks/springs.

Mine is lifted but for years I chased this problem and threw everything at it including adjustable uppers with 4.5 casters. Not much changed. What made a drastic difference was tires. I had KO2s at that time and then replaced with general grabbers atx. 99% highway wandering and darting are gone.

 

[Bill Meyer]

Mine is lifted but for years I chased this problem and threw everything at it including adjustable uppers with 4.5 casters. Not much changed. What made a drastic difference was tires. I had KO2s at that time and then replaced with general grabbers atx. 99% highway wandering and darting are gone.

Interesting. I've had Firestone destination LE's on it the entire time, was going to try AT next.

 

[weaves]

I've been dealing with this for as long as I've owned my 4runner. I tried multiple alignment settings including maxing out the caster which had very little impact on the wandering. I replaced the steering rack (reman) which saw the greatest improvement but it was still difficult to drive in windy conditions. I ended up adjusting the pre-load (tightened) on the steering rack and that solved the issue completely.

 

[Keros]

K02's. Truck wandered badly

unrelated issue was a bad wheelbearing, had that replaced.

Shop inspected the suspension & alignment, found no issues.

It occurred to me while driving down the highway that it's the rack bushings. I had a friend sit in the driver's seat while parked and work the steering wheel back and forth. The rack moves without the wheels. Obviously this was the problem.

It left me wondering what the shop inspected... Destination Toyota put in a new rack (and intermediate steering shaft and high pressure hose)

Regardless, your problem is probably in the rack not the alignment/suspension, per weaves comment above.

 

[chompster4runner]

I've been dealing with this for as long as I've owned my 4runner. I tried multiple alignment settings including maxing out the caster which had very little impact on the wandering. I replaced the steering rack (reman) which saw the greatest improvement but it was still difficult to drive in windy conditions. I ended up adjusting the pre-load (tightened) on the steering rack and that solved the issue completely.

Please explain the process of tightening the pre load. Heard about this but didn’t want to mess with it. Wandering definitely 99% gone. Occasionally, strong winds will push it around.

 

[weaves]

Please explain the process of tightening the pre load. Heard about this but didn’t want to mess with it. Wandering definitely 99% gone. Occasionally, strong winds will push it around.

To do it properly, you'll probably want to remove the steering rack because there's not a lot of room underneath there. The service manual says to back out the 24mm hex guide cap until the guide spring pressure is completely relieved. Then tighten the cap until it takes 6.2 - 13.3 in/lb of force to turn the splined shaft on the rack that connects to the steering shaft. I didn't want to go through removing the rack again so I just kind of winged it by feel.

Before you turn the guide cap, mark the current position of the cap to the body of the rack so you have a frame of reference.

Remove the outer lock nut with a pair of large channel locks or a large crescent wrench. Use a 24mm hex bit socket to turn the cap approximately 15-20 degrees (~1/16th turn). I didn't have a 24mm hex bit socket so I just used the head of a 24mm bolt I had laying around to turn the cap using vice grips. A 5/8" rod coupling nut from Home Depot will also fit and you can use a wrench to turn it.

It doesn't take much to bind the steering rack so make very small adjustments at a time. If the steering wheel doesn't return to center after you turn, then your preload is too tight. It took me about 3 tries to find the sweet spot.

 

[Mr_Dobalina]

I used to hate driving my wife's 07 as I experienced the same wandering as you describe.

I don't know what tires we took off of it, but I do know that we bought Michelin Defender LX M/S and the problem instantly went away.

Timely post, as I just bought/installed a new identical set yesterday.

Also, the only good thing about Mavis Tires is they will price match. I was looking online and I found a set of 4 for about a 100 bucks less than they were priced at.

You have the option to have them price match online. They ask you for the website and price. I had someone call me back in about 4 minutes telling me they would match the price.

 

[tuborg_15]

Get your front axles checked too. I was experiencing the same issue in my 2004 4runner and couldn't figure it out. Finally found out that my axles were worn and they had a lot of play in them. Got those changed and that wandering feeling is gone now.

 

[Bill Meyer]

Get your front axles checked too. I was experiencing the same issue in my 2004 4runner and couldn't figure it out. Finally found out that my axles were worn and they had a lot of play in them. Got those changed and that wandering feeling is gone now.

Good to know. My CV boot on one side is cracked now, so maybe..

 

[Runnin on E]

Axles

Get your front axles checked too. I was experiencing the same issue in my 2004 4runner and couldn't figure it out. Finally found out that my axles were worn and they had a lot of play in them. Got those changed and that wandering feeling is gone now.

Don't do this. Do the steering rack adjust as explained above. FFS axles were worn?

 

[bob3dsf]

To do it properly, you'll probably want to remove the steering rack because there's not a lot of room underneath there. The service manual says to back out the 24mm hex guide cap until the guide spring pressure is completely relieved. Then tighten the cap until it takes 6.2 - 13.3 in/lb of force to turn the splined shaft on the rack that connects to the steering shaft. I didn't want to go through removing the rack again so I just kind of winged it by feel.

Before you turn the guide cap, mark the current position of the cap to the body of the rack so you have a frame of reference.

Remove the outer lock nut with a pair of large channel locks or a large crescent wrench. Use a 24mm hex bit socket to turn the cap approximately 15-20 degrees (~1/16th turn). I didn't have a 24mm hex bit socket so I just used the head of a 24mm bolt I had laying around to turn the cap using vice grips. A 5/8" rod coupling nut from Home Depot will also fit and you can use a wrench to turn it.

It doesn't take much to bind the steering rack so make very small adjustments at a time. If the steering wheel doesn't return to center after you turn, then your preload is too tight. It took me about 3 tries to find the sweet spot.

Very interesting. I also just found a video by Timmy the Toolman replacing this guide on a 3rd gen. I've had the same steering issues. Figured I need new UCA's. I probably still do (I get about 2.x degrees caster when it gets aligned) but at 260k miles, I feel it's likely that there is wear in the rack. Seems like an easy/cheap fix to try first. My question is why not just try to tighten it a little bit? Rather than loosen per the FSM procedure... Or is that how you approached it, and I read your post wrong? I see where the 3rd gens had a procedure where the guide cap gets tightened to 18 ft. lbs, then back off 19 degrees.