Smallwood0507

I have a 1999 4runner that feels like it is shimmying or rather walking down the road especially at around 70 miles per hour. I did replace the shocks with Bilstein Hds and get the front end checked out. That helped a bit but i still have the problem. I was thinking about replacing the the stock coil spring with 2" lifted ones. Any thoughts if this would only exaggerate the problem or even how i could fix it? Thanks

BlueTrain74

tires balanced properly?

89silverpu

x2...or something in the steering loose? Idk about a 99 4runner, but does it use rack and pinion steering? I don't think it does so it couldn't be an idler arm...

Smallwood0507

yea i just had the tires aligned and balanced

BlueTrain74

at any rate, i'd at least hold off the new springs until you get the steering issue taken care of.

i've had "speed wobbles" around 65mph before, with a subaru, and each time it was due to an unbalanced, unevenly worn, or out of round tire.

how are the wheel bearings?

SoCalPaul

Someone had a similar problem that he claimed to fix with new body mounts.

https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f2/p...-penny-159992/

You need to check all your bushings, steering rack, front A-arms, sway bars, etc.
also check your rear springs. If your sitting too close to the bumpstops that could cause some wander.

BigBallsMcFalls

your alignment might have been done incorrectly. do you have the computer printout of the before and after alignment settings for your 4runner, and percentages ?

Smallwood0507

Sorry cant find it

Smallwood0507

Do you think the shop i took it into would have checked those out? Also what would be considered too close to the bumpstops

86tuning

rack busings also die on those. aftermarket poly bushings make a HUGE difference.

Smallwood0507

Do you think that would cause a side-to-side feeling on the highway.
How do you check if theyre bad?

rocket

iTrader: (1)

If you mean it wanders all over the road, then yes, poly rack bushing can make a big difference. Is it worse or more noticeable when you hit imperfections in the road? If not you have something else going on.

rocket

iTrader: (1)

Put the front on jack stands. Turn wheels side to side and observe your steering rack. If it moves at all, replace bushings.

Smallwood0507

It gets worse when i hit a bump but it also will start rocking side to side for no reason.

claudebadly

sounds like you have exsesive bump steer... like everyone above has said, check your steering linkage and make sure your bushings arent excesivly worn/shot. if you get excessive play in any connection/link replace the bushings or tighten bolts.

SoCalPaul

They might not have checked everything.

Find your front & rear suspension bumpstops. If the point of contact is clean & shiny from driving on the street, you are probably bouncing off the bumpstops causing all kinds of weird behavior. (you need new springs)

Wandering can also be caused by worn shocks. (every worn shock I have had passed the "bounce" test)

Remember that all the rubber on your truck is 10 years old.

Smallwood0507

On a side note i did have the sway bar on the driver side fail about 3 months ago but that has been replaced as well as the one on the passanger side

SoCalPaul

What failed? The end link? Bushings?

Is this a street only truck or were you wheeling it?

Gerdo

Replace them with poly bushings. It will feel loose and wander even without hitting bumps. Grooves in the pavement and truck humps will make it really swim.

What tire are you driving? I had a set of Bigfoot AT Dual Grooves. They were horid! The truck would walk/swim/float or what ever you want to call it all over the road. Sometimes it was down right scarry. You always had HANG onto the steering wheel. I replaced them and it is a different truck. (the bushings also help, I did them first but it was still bad)

Smallwood0507

Its only been on the street and the part that failed was the metal rod broke at the sway bar