I just got my tires rotated (31 BFG AT's w/ about 30k...look like they have a lot of life left in them), although they had not been swapped in about 8k miles. Now it "seems" like the front end drifts around more during highway driving. I've had the idler arm, and front shocks replaced about 40k ago. I was just curious why I noticed this after the tire rotation.
I don't offroad much, when I do it's a real slow crawl. I plan on lifting the front end to check for play in the wheels, any thing else I should consider?
Any info appreciated.

 

Lose sway bar end links, tie rod ends, wheel lug nuts and perhaps the central hub nut as well.
Good luck !

 

just woundering if my failure to rotate the tires on time affects this, the timing of this conditions occurance is curious.
thanks

 

if they hadn't been rotated in 8k its possible that if your back tires had worn differently from the front that when they got moved up front it changed the handling slightly but i doubt enough to cause a noticable difference. did they re-balance the fronts as well? if not, swing down to Discount Tire on 28th and we'll get it taken care of!! (i just started workin there)

 

i've heard of re-built idler arms going after 40k...just rebuilt mine...the seal had let go a bit and the rod was pretty corroded.

i cleaned it up and it should last for awhile, but i could see a rebuild place just throwing some new bushings on there without doing a decent job of cleaning up the corrosion. if they did that, i wouldn't expect it to last too long...

i'd suggest jacking up the front end and crawling under it (using jackstands, of course) and just start yanking on stuff looking for play where there shouldn't be any.

 

thanks Nate, Discount Tire in Boulder is my tire place... I assume it's standard practice to balance the front during a routine rotation. Anyway, as for the idler arm, I'm pretty sure i bought a new one aroung $105.00. I guess I need to borrow a jack/stands.

 

8k is enough to feel a variance in handling due to rotation.....

 

Check the tire preasure. If it's really high it can give you that feel also. As said above , the newer tread can feel that way. If you have checked all the above suggestions then drive it awhile before spending any big buck and see how it feels after the tires tread has time to set.Mike

 

Not to rain on your parade, and normally I run away from AutoBlown for parts, but they sell an idler arm for ~$50. Guess what, it's a 555 item! (OEM)

Worth carrying spares.

Also, CarCrushed sells their BlueLine house brand of wheel bearings, the cheapie line... guess whose bearings are in the Toyota front wheel bearing boxes? YUP. Koyo.