Steering wheel wobble.....Help?!

XXL 4RUNNER · 11-03-2009, 03:29 AM

Hey all, new to the forum and i have an issue already. I just bought a 95 4runner with 38.5 mudders and at about 3o miles per hour the steering wheel wobbles pretty good i know this setup wont ride like a cadillac but i really dont enjoy spilling coffe all over my lap or changing lanes when i don't want to.The suspension is all stock and a bit worn but i checked the tie rods and ball joints which dont have alot of play and i did replace the frame mounted idler arm on the passenger side ( it had a ton of play ) which didnt help at all. Any insight would be appreciated i dont have the money to just replace parts til the problem goes away. Thanks in advance! BTW THIS SITE ROCKS !

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**waskillywabbit** · 11-03-2009, 05:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XXL 4RUNNER

I just bought a 95 4runner with 38.5 mudders and at about 3o miles per hour the steering wheel wobbles pretty good

Red explains Yellow.

clydehatchet · 11-03-2009, 05:35 AM

The Wabbit is right, though you might have an uneven tire wear. they could be cupped. as you said, you can't expect much with the size and nature of the tire as far as the the ride is concerned. only thing that will help is keeping them rotated, aligned and properly aired.

nosfanatic2006 · 11-03-2009, 05:40 AM

I wanna see pics of this all stock suspension that's a bit worn sporting 38.5 tires

clydehatchet · 11-03-2009, 05:43 AM

x2 on that one

Gnarly4X · 11-03-2009, 06:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nosfanatic2006

I wanna see pics of this all stock suspension that's a bit worn sporting 38.5 tires

Pehaps that's why it wobbles!!

gNARLS.

desertcamper67 · 11-03-2009, 10:25 AM

sounds like it needs to be trailered to the trails with those tires. How's you steering stabilizer? Idler arm?

iamsuperbleeder · 11-03-2009, 03:32 PM

maybe you need like, 4 steering sabilizers

I hear that helps

RobD · 11-03-2009, 05:56 PM

Wow, bleeder...if I hadn't seen it, I wouldn't have believed it. That's almost as good as the guy with 14 Rancho shocks on the rear of his Toyota.

Is that a high and low steer kit? Looks like it's made of PVC pipe.

whokrz · 11-03-2009, 06:16 PM

How much sheet metal did they have to cut to clear the tires.
.......and about those pictures.

iamsuperbleeder · 11-03-2009, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobD

Wow, bleeder...if I hadn't seen it, I wouldn't have believed it. That's almost as good as the guy with 14 Rancho shocks on the rear of his Toyota.

Is that a high and low steer kit? Looks like it's made of PVC pipe.

lmao, I dunno; I do see 2 drag-links now that you mention it!

I just Google image searched "scary steering", and this was one of the first links

RobD · 11-03-2009, 06:33 PM

To the OP, though, seriously...throw on a set of 31" tires and see if that wobble goes away. You have a ton of rotating mass there that is nearly impossible to balance. It's probably worn your entire front end right out.

iamsuperbleeder · 11-03-2009, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobD

To the OP, though, seriously...throw on a set of 31" tires and see if that wobble goes away. You have a ton of rotating mass there that is nearly impossible to balance. It's probably worn your entire front end right out.

X's 2

on that note, I have a hard time seeing a STOCK IFS setup handle 38's for very long... now, if it's been converted over to a stock solid axle, well then, that's a different story

but yeah, I'd like to see some pictures of this setup...

oh and LOL at the Wabbit's 1st responce

I just now read it, lol

olharleyman · 11-03-2009, 06:51 PM

I be willing to bet them big ass tires wore out all the tie rod ends as well!

kinzer · 11-03-2009, 06:58 PM

ok i actually have experiance with this... im running 38x12.5R15's that are worn to the extreme, cupped out of round and all out of wack, i first put them on and it wobbled so bad i couldnt go 30 miles per hour. put them on the balance machine at work and they worst wanted 45 ounces! lol. so i through as much as i could on and got them down to about 20 or 15 ounces, the front tires i balanced out with only 20 ounces. and guess what, i can fly down the freeway at 70 miles per hour with minimal wobble. speedo is about 5mph fast around 65 and read 75-80 (bouncy needle)

so i would reccomend trying to balance them.

iamsuperbleeder · 11-03-2009, 07:03 PM

I seem to have a hard time keeping 31's balanced, much less 38's...

lol

maybe it's all these hard launches off the light

abecedarian · 11-03-2009, 07:07 PM

Big tires are notoriously difficult to balance simply because there's a lot of rubber in the treads that's a long way from the rim and wheel weights are real close to the axle. You might try the airsoft bb trick. Also might want to replace your suspension bushings with polyurethane.
Steering dampener(s) might help, like 'bleederdude posted above.

Jay351 · 11-03-2009, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iamsuperbleeder

X's 2

on that note, I have a hard time seeing a STOCK IFS setup handle 38's for very long... now, if it's been converted over to a stock solid axle, well then, that's a different story

but yeah, I'd like to see some pictures of this setup...

oh and LOL at the Wabbit's 1st responce

I just now read it, lol

Stock SFA isnt much stronger than stock IFS

Matt90V6SR5 · 11-03-2009, 09:21 PM

He said he has no money so used smaller tires are definetely in order.

XXL 4RUNNER · 11-03-2009, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nosfanatic2006

I wanna see pics of this all stock suspension that's a bit worn sporting 38.5 tires

yeah, its a pretty interesting ( scary ) truck but i didnt do the work i got it this way, gimme some time, i'll make it right

XXL 4RUNNER · 11-03-2009, 11:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by desertcamper67

sounds like it needs to be trailered to the trails with those tires. How's you steering stabilizer? Idler arm?

The idler is brand new, the steering stabilizer.... well it aint new and i also thought that it was the problem. I have seen some advertised for $50-$75 ( any suggestions brand wise?) i just wanted to see how many of you guys confirmed my suspicions before throwing a ton of money at this truck.

abecedarian · 11-03-2009, 11:05 PM

good luck.

XXL 4RUNNER · 11-03-2009, 11:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whokrz

How much sheet metal did they have to cut to clear the tires.
.......and about those pictures.

How much sheet metal was cut? um...... Alot! I like to refer to it as 2 drunk hillbillies and a sawzall. And...... guys please don't freakout on me ( remember i bought the truck i didn't build it ) theres a ( custom made ) 9 inch body lift. Like i said its pretty crazy, for now i'm just trying to get it back to streetable so i have a good winter rig, especially since its getting new headgaskets as we speak, yay! welcome to the 3vze club right?

turboboost · 11-03-2009, 11:12 PM

9 INCH BODY LIFT?! Holy crap! Do you have any pictures?!

XXL 4RUNNER · 11-03-2009, 11:14 PM

Thanks for all the input guys, i really appreciate it. I'll post some pics as soon as it comes back from the headgasket surgery ( if my mechanic figures out why its running rough with no power, after the gaskets). So now for my next question anybody wanna buy ( or tade for ) some 38.5 gumbo mudders ?? !! SERIOUSLY

11-03-2009, 03:32 PM	#8 (permalink)
iamsuperbleeder Contributing Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Casselberry, Fl Posts: 5,259	maybe you need like, 4 steering sabilizers I hear that helps __________________ 91 PU, 4wd, manual, 22re, .30-over, engnbldr RV head and 261 cam, MC 1200lbs clutch, misc LCE, engnbldr, and MC parts and HW, Pacesetter header and exhaust kit, Rancho UCA's , 4Crawler 1" diff and sway bar drop and 1.5" BJ spacers, WabFab 3.5" shackles, 31x10.5 pavement-pounding ATs on ProComp Extreme Alloys, misc SR5 interior goodies swapped in, 1000watt stereo system MySpace

11-03-2009, 05:56 PM	#9 (permalink)
RobD Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Calgary, AB Posts: 1,729	Wow, bleeder...if I hadn't seen it, I wouldn't have believed it. That's almost as good as the guy with 14 Rancho shocks on the rear of his Toyota. Is that a high and low steer kit? Looks like it's made of PVC pipe. __________________ 1991 4Runner, 3.4 5VZFE swap, OME shocks/springs, 33" BFG All Terrain T/A KOs, Pioneer head unit, Infinity speakers, XM Satellite radio

11-03-2009, 06:16 PM	#10 (permalink)
whokrz Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Suisun City, California Posts: 355	How much sheet metal did they have to cut to clear the tires. .......and about those pictures. __________________ 1990 4runner, 22re, R151, 4.7, 5.29s, E-locker front, Lock-Rite rear, 37" MTRs, 51" rears all around Trail Reviews http://www.gentryoffroad.com Toyota Factory Service Manuals http://ncttora.com/fsm/index.html

11-03-2009, 06:33 PM	#12 (permalink)
RobD Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Calgary, AB Posts: 1,729	To the OP, though, seriously...throw on a set of 31" tires and see if that wobble goes away. You have a ton of rotating mass there that is nearly impossible to balance. It's probably worn your entire front end right out. __________________ 1991 4Runner, 3.4 5VZFE swap, OME shocks/springs, 33" BFG All Terrain T/A KOs, Pioneer head unit, Infinity speakers, XM Satellite radio

11-03-2009, 06:51 PM	#14 (permalink)
olharleyman Contributing Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: maryland Posts: 3,291	I be willing to bet them big ass tires wore out all the tie rod ends as well! __________________ 1990 4 runner 5 Speed Pro Comp Stage II 4" Lift 6" coils rear Aussie Locker front 5.29's Front And Rear 35 x 12.5 x 15 MT's Micky Thompson Classic II Wheels Super Charged 3.4 on the way 1993 SAS 4runner 22re 5 speed 4" front 5"rear 5.29's 35 x 12.5 BFG KM'S Dick cepek DC 1's 88 stock 4runner 3.0 auto for now 1955 Harley Davidson Springer Stock 1955 Hardtail Frame 4 Speed Kick Start Only 1998 Harley Custom Dresser 107 rwhp 139 ft.lbs.trq.

11-03-2009, 05:35 AM	#3 (permalink)
clydehatchet Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: KY Posts: 58	The Wabbit is right, though you might have an uneven tire wear. they could be cupped. as you said, you can't expect much with the size and nature of the tire as far as the the ride is concerned. only thing that will help is keeping them rotated, aligned and properly aired.

11-03-2009, 05:43 AM	#5 (permalink)
clydehatchet Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: KY Posts: 58	x2 on that one

11-03-2009, 07:03 PM	#16 (permalink)
iamsuperbleeder Contributing Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Casselberry, Fl Posts: 5,259	I seem to have a hard time keeping 31's balanced, much less 38's... lol maybe it's all these hard launches off the light __________________ 91 PU, 4wd, manual, 22re, .30-over, engnbldr RV head and 261 cam, MC 1200lbs clutch, misc LCE, engnbldr, and MC parts and HW, Pacesetter header and exhaust kit, Rancho UCA's , 4Crawler 1" diff and sway bar drop and 1.5" BJ spacers, WabFab 3.5" shackles, 31x10.5 pavement-pounding ATs on ProComp Extreme Alloys, misc SR5 interior goodies swapped in, 1000watt stereo system MySpace

11-03-2009, 09:21 PM	#19 (permalink)
Matt90V6SR5 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Firestone,Co. Posts: 310	He said he has no money so used smaller tires are definetely in order.

11-03-2009, 11:12 PM	#24 (permalink)
turboboost Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Posts: 386	9 INCH BODY LIFT?! Holy crap! Do you have any pictures?! __________________ 1990 Toyota 4Runner - SR5, 22RE, 5 speed, 35" Mud King XT, a bunch of mods. 1986 Mazda B2000 - 5 speed, carb'd 2.0, the winter beater. 1979 Datsun 280zx - 2 seater, 5 speed, stripped interior, etc. 1998 Nissan Altima - 5 speed, 1981 280zx turbo snowflake rims. 1985 Toyota Pickup - SR5, 22RE, 5 speed, Xtra cab, lifted 2", 35" boggers, etc - Sold 1983 Datsun 280zx - Turbo Intercooled L28ET - Crushed. 1985 Nissan 300zx - 5 speed, race prepped, etc - Crushed. IFS Club #7

11-03-2009, 11:14 PM	#25 (permalink)
XXL 4RUNNER Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: ILLINOIS Posts: 13	Thanks for all the input guys, i really appreciate it. I'll post some pics as soon as it comes back from the headgasket surgery ( if my mechanic figures out why its running rough with no power, after the gaskets). So now for my next question anybody wanna buy ( or tade for ) some 38.5 gumbo mudders ?? !! SERIOUSLY

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