WTF is going on with my steering?

jminz

jminz

New member
Having an issue with my steering wheel staying centered. It will either be off one way or the other. Road crown does not seem to dictate which way it's off center. If I turn full lock left then drive straight it will be slightly off centered to the left. If I turn full lock right then drive straight it will be slightly off center to the right. And then sometimes it's totally fine and will be cenetered. The rack, tie rods are all new. I need some input before I take it back to the alignment shop for a 3rd time.

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Perhaps that is just how it is now?

Sometimes with modified suspensions, you get some quarks you just end up having to live with...
 
I have never had or heard of a vehicle that just randomly changes the steering wheel angle.

I am thinking you didn't get some bolt/nut tight?
Whats the lift? did you do the UCA's?

Maybe you need more castor?

Whats the align specs?
 
BackOff said:
I have never had or heard of a vehicle that just randomly changes the steering wheel angle.

I am thinking you didn't get some bolt/nut tight?
Whats the lift? did you do the UCA's?

Maybe you need more castor?

Whats the align specs?
Click to expand...

Completely different truck, but my Silverado has a worn out pitman and idler arm which causes the wheel to have a couple degrees of slop... it behaves really similar to what the OP says.

Perhaps there is something else going on that has nothing to do with alignment.
 
Check the mounts and bushings for the steering rack. If everything is tight and in good condition check any universal joints in the steering column. If the geometry is changing from lock to lock, and isn't road related, it makes me think the issue is between the rack and the steering wheel.
 
How much play is in the steering wheel when driving straight? (How far can you turn it one way without it reacting?) There shouldn't be any perceivable play.
 
BackOff said:
I have never had or heard of a vehicle that just randomly changes the steering wheel angle.

I am thinking you didn't get some bolt/nut tight?
Whats the lift? did you do the UCA's?

Maybe you need more castor?

Whats the align specs?
Click to expand...
I have OME 885 and superflexes in the rear with 5100s all around. JBA uppers.

Here are my current alignment speca.
3600bda57c603df0b8237d6705880c72.jpg


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ElZilcho said:
Check the mounts and bushings for the steering rack. If everything is tight and in good condition check any universal joints in the steering column. If the geometry is changing from lock to lock, and isn't road related, it makes me think the issue is between the rack and the steering wheel.
Click to expand...
I had the intermediate steering shafts replaced when the rack was installed. I plan to check the bushings this weekend. Hopefully with an oem reman rack they would inspect the bushings. Maybe wishful thinking though.

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Inv4drZm said:
How much play is in the steering wheel when driving straight? (How far can you turn it one way without it reacting?) There shouldn't be any perceivable play.
Click to expand...
There is no play that I can tell.

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Since you've had the rack done previously that is where my money would be. I can't think of anything else that would cause that sort of behavior (without other symptoms) on a double wishbone system... but I've certainly been fooled before.

Good luck.
 
You might have air in the steering, maybe double check its been bled properly. You would think there would be some steering noises if that were the case, though.
 
Yeah didn't we talk about this last week? Flush and bleed with correct fluid. I would take it back to the shop that installed the rack to complain I guess. But I also would have installed the rack myself with no one to blame so I'd have to figure it out too. Alignment looks really good, all parts are new but need to be inspected for proper installation!
 
I think your castor/align is good too.
Not sure it would really just randomly change the steering wheel direction.
Low castor is more of a 'wandering' on the road sensation, like under 3*.

I would look into that Rack as the others have said...since you did just replace it and all.
If anything sounds loose, when you drive forward and turn the wheels left to right. Could be loose bolts, maybe a bad 'new' Rack?
 
BackOff said:
I think your castor/align is good too.
Not sure it would really just randomly change the steering wheel direction.
Low castor is more of a 'wandering' on the road sensation, like under 3*.

I would look into that Rack as the others have said...since you did just replace it and all.
If anything sounds loose, when you drive forward and turn the wheels left to right. Could be loose bolts, maybe a bad 'new' Rack?
Click to expand...
I had my wife turn the wheel while I was under the car today. The rack moves when the steering wheel turns. I'm taking it in tomorrow. Hopefully it just needs to be tightened and the bushings aren't shot.

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Yeah I really hate when you take your ride to someone who is 'supposed' to know what they are doing...and its like some 15year old is experimenting with your 4runner, it really drives home the point of doing your own work...if you can that is.
Hope you get it sorted out. :painkiller:
 
The rack was moving when steered. It was tightened and seems to be doing fine for now. How much movement should the rack have when fully tightened? It does still flex a little. Not sure if this means the bushings are providing the flex or if it means the bushings are bad. I'm assuming the bushings are there to allow for some movement?

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Your rack bushings are there to absorb vibration so things don’t break frequently. Your rack should be solidly bolted to the truck


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DZNUTS said:
Your rack bushings are there to absorb vibration so things don’t break frequently. Your rack should be solidly bolted to the truck


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Click to expand...
So absolutely no movement in rack when turning? I'm just trying to figure out if it's ok or if the bushings are bad.

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