I've gotten my new TerraGrappler's balanced twice in 5 days and aligned and I still have a shake in the front. The steering wheel shimmeys too. I already know there is a thread about this on here but my question is If its been balanced twice and I still have a shake/shimmey, could it be my steering rack bushings?"

 

I don't think so.

The old OEM steering rack bushings will cause more of a wander all over the road/sloppy steering/feels like it's demon possessed when you hit a bump.

After replacing mine, it was a night and day difference...so much that it's taken me some time to get used to. I highly recommend replacing those bushings.
But after doing so, i now have very a slight shake/shimmy like your mentioning. I also have Nitto TG's.
Once i install my lift, I'll be going through a list of things starting with the basics (like you have), then onto tie rods, ball joints, etc.

 

Please excuse the Hi-Jack, but I have a question that is pertinant to this topic (others may have the same question also)....

I lay down under the Runner today and let the Wife turn the wheels left and right while I watched the steering rack. Good Lord! I got a ruler out and measured the movement of the rack at its' attachment points on the rubber bushings. There was no less than 1/2 inch, maybe 3/4 at certain times. And the rubber was squishing out from behind the mounts at all points with each turn of the wheel!

My question to those who may know: "What is the normal range of movement for the steering rack in its mounts?" "Should there be ANY at all?"

Thank you for any response, and again, I'm sorry to Hi-Jack, just thought it was on topic for the title of the thread.

James

 

The less movement there is, the more precise your steering can become. However, solid mounting the rack leads to excessive NVH.

When the truck was new, there was almost no movement. Say 1/4" if you pry it with a 2' bar while the truck is in the air (on the hoist).

IMO get some new polyurethane bushings and put them in. You'll be glad you did it.

 

Steering rack bushing kit:
http://www.wabfab.org/96024Runner/96...iftoptions.htm

 

Can a newb install that kit

 

If you have good mechanical skills and have all the necessary tools then it shouldn't be a problem. If you need help just shoot me a PM.
http://www.wheelersoffroad.com/4runnerrackbushkit.htm

 

Thank you!! I got online and ordered the kit last night. Again, "Thanks"

James

 

Looks like alot of people are going to tackle this project soon. I just got my kit the other day from Wheelers. Hopefullt I'll have it done tomorrow morning. Found a few write up's that may help everyone.

http://www.parksoffroad.com/tacomamo...ckbushings.htm

http://www.keystonekrawlers.com/Mods...eeringBush.htm

 

Are you running the terragrapplers on stock rims? If they're aftermarket wheels, check that the lug holes were not drilled out off-center. A lot of aftermarket rims have this issue, and it'll cause the symptoms you described. A friend of mine just had to deal with pro-comp & Wheelers for this issue.

https://www.yotatech.com/50570978-post16.html

 

Install went well. My OEM bushings were still in really good shape, but after swapping them out with the kit, the front end feels a bit tighter. Definetly got ride of the bumpster I was experiencing over the odd pothole.

A word to anyone who is going to handle this themselves. Put a bit of grease or lube on the center bushing before you try to put it back together when you have the bushing's in place. Right where it mounts to the x-member. Just a little on the top and bottom so that it will slide in alot easier.