hey,
Recently Ive been having issues with my 99 ltd. The steering would feel loose on hwy speeds. I lifted it last summer, new MT's 3 months ago. New tie-rods and alignment. But this just started happening this month.

It gets pretty annoying as it almost doesnt have any resistance from the steering wheel so i have to hold it firm all the time to prevent wandering.

thanks

 

maybe the steering rack bushings are already worn out so you might like to check them out. if they are, you can replace them with polyurethane bushings from Wheelers Off-road. The stock bushings can't be bought separately from the dealer. you'll have to buy a new rack to get new bushings.

 

+1... this made a huge difference on my 2000 Runner... night and day.

 

Steering Rack Bushings:
http://www.wabfab.org/96024Runner/96...iftoptions.htm

At the bottom of the page.

 

Wab- is (one of the) the small sleeves bored to the correct spec? Just want to make sure, so someone isn't stuck with a metal sleeve that isn't bored out enough to fit the vertical bolt through. (ie. Wheelers's off road includes another sleeve bored out to the correct ID)

I'll 2nd/3rd the motion that the bushings made a night and day difference!

 

thanks for the replies! how hard is it to replace those?

 

All the parts are there you need in the kit I sell.

 

how much is that shipped to vancouver, canada?

 

If the bushings don't fix it, i'd try to test the vacum solinoid on the power steering hose by the pump. Its supposed to "stiffen" the steering when you're driving at high speeds so it won't feel so loose. Try the bushings first, they are probly cheaper than the vacum solinoid. Good luck!

 

u got any links on how to replace or check this? do i just apply vacuum when the engine's running and see if the steering tightens up?
i have a toyota tech friend that mentioned something bout a P/S assist, i think this is what ur referring to?

 

*Update - installed new energy suspension bushings and i have no more rack/bushing play. but i still have the loose steering issue. Im getting bummed by this. I compared my truck to a friends stock 99. Mines definitely a lot looser as if i have no road feel at all. I dont even need to reach highway speeds anymore. I do get random vibrations on hwy. It doesnt have any play at in the steering column.

Any ideas?

 

hows the actual internal rack doing? any play?

 

i didn't notice any. the steering wheel/linkage is solid/tight when its not moving. The wheel follows even on a small turn of the steering wheel.
I guess to put in better words, it feels very light and sensitive when its moving. Truck has only 110,000 kilometers. No visible leaks anywhere except for the oil that dripped from the oil change.

 

Jack the truck up and wiggle the tire similar to checking your balljoints however from side to side , does it move? Look/feel for movement in the rack.
Also, it may just be an issue with your alignment causing oversteer.

 

[quote=tacomarich;51078132]I have an 04 tacoma trd and think my front frame is bent. Had dealer replace steering gear. They wrote-needs frame pull at body shop, to come into factory specs. Aligned best as possible. L/F Camber would not come into factory specs. I have to find out what is bent, or if anything is bent? Was told by a tire shop, the left inner tie rod needs replacement, which should have been replaced as well.

It's a disappointment because I'm not sure if they are feeding me a crock of lies? The steering seems much tighter now but the alignment still seems a little off. No pulling anymore to the right, unless, driving on an uneven road. The wheel seems, a bit to the left when going straight. So I'm wondering if that has to do with the l/f chamber not being aligned to factory specs?

 

One thing that can affect steering feel at speed is the caster setting (at least on my '04 Tacoma). Caster is often overlooked during an alignment, but you may want to look into it, just to be sure.

FWIW my truck also feels "loose" at highway speeds. Been trying to figure it out for 2 years now, with no luck.