1. Welcome to Tacoma World!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tacoma discussion topics
    • Communicate privately with other Tacoma owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

Fixing bump steer after lift?

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by Ca Taco, Feb 29, 2012.

  1. Feb 29, 2012 at 9:55 PM
    #1
    Ca Taco

    Ca Taco [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 26, 2011
    Member:
    #69398
    Messages:
    58
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Scott
    El Cajon
    Vehicle:
    2012 reg cab 4x4 2.7 auto
    I lifted my '12 Taco std. cab and put Kelly Safari TSR 265/75/r16 tires on and it looks great. Problem? Freeway bumps cause steering wheel motion (moderate feedback which was not there before the lift) and drift when hitting bumps/dips at high speed due to the now increased downward angle of the tie rods. I fixed this on my Ranger years ago by reaming out the top of the steering knuckle (with the proper tapered reamer) and flipping the tie rods over to the top side of the knuckle arms. Aside from doing what I did on my Ranger, does anyone have a better suggestion? The truck was rock solid on the freeway prior to the lift/tires mods. I know it has variable power steering which is supposed to tighten up the ride at high speeds, but the way it is now, if it was a steering box type steering instead of a rack, I'd add an aftermarket steering damper shock. Any ideas?
     
  2. Feb 29, 2012 at 10:19 PM
    #2
    BAMFTACO

    BAMFTACO Another day another beer

    Joined:
    Feb 3, 2010
    Member:
    #30639
    Messages:
    10,907
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Juan
    Woodlandland hills , CA
    Vehicle:
    2007 Tacoma AC Prerunner
    Kings bruh
    How big of a lift do you have
     
  3. Feb 29, 2012 at 10:29 PM
    #3
    sfcadams

    sfcadams Retired Senior NCO

    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2011
    Member:
    #61645
    Messages:
    1,439
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Dan
    Elizabeth, Indiana
    Vehicle:
    2011 TRD Off Road DCSB Prerunner Skeewped
  4. Mar 1, 2012 at 7:59 AM
    #4
    Ca Taco

    Ca Taco [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 26, 2011
    Member:
    #69398
    Messages:
    58
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Scott
    El Cajon
    Vehicle:
    2012 reg cab 4x4 2.7 auto
    I did air the tires to max trying to squeeze out a bit of fuel economy. I suspect that whippersnapper is right and I should air down. I installed a 2.75" leveling kit and had alignment done. Right now it follows the lines in the concrete at high speeds, and veers slightly when hitting a bump on one side or the other.
     
  5. Mar 1, 2012 at 9:45 AM
    #5
    skytower

    skytower Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 7, 2010
    Member:
    #38505
    Messages:
    3,268
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Dave
    virginia
    Vehicle:
    08 Tacoma 4x4
    Hitch and wiring, aux back-up light, rear strobe lights, radio and underseat sub.
    Mine has always tried to follow the concrete joints with Firestone A/T's. It has more to do with tire tread configuration than if you have a lift or not.
    I have a proper alignment with a 3.5"f 4.5"r lift and the steering is no different than before the lift.
    All I need is a degree shim to get rid of these vibes:(
     
  6. Mar 1, 2012 at 9:48 AM
    #6
    tacomalex

    tacomalex Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 11, 2011
    Member:
    #58120
    Messages:
    718
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Alex
    WV
    Vehicle:
    '11 SR5 2.7l 4x4
    plasti dip engine
    Did you install new UCA's with the lift? My steering was crap with the almost 3 inch lift I had before I installed my Light Racing UCA's. Those helped a lot with wandering at highway speeds and really stiffened up my steering wheel.
     
  7. Mar 1, 2012 at 9:51 AM
    #7
    hotrod45

    hotrod45 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 13, 2011
    Member:
    #52916
    Messages:
    510
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    paul
    sarasota fl
    Vehicle:
    16 sr 5 access cab
    remove the lift kit. then take it to the dealer if it continues and ask them to fix it under warrantee
     
  8. Mar 1, 2012 at 10:12 AM
    #8
    skytower

    skytower Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 7, 2010
    Member:
    #38505
    Messages:
    3,268
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Dave
    virginia
    Vehicle:
    08 Tacoma 4x4
    Hitch and wiring, aux back-up light, rear strobe lights, radio and underseat sub.
    Mine does. It absoutely goes apeshit when I cross metal bridge grating. Can you say squirrly. Never did it with the stock tires. I will be switching to General Grabber AT2's eventually.
     
  9. Mar 1, 2012 at 10:54 AM
    #9
    MonkeyChief

    MonkeyChief Detachable member

    Joined:
    Dec 20, 2011
    Member:
    #69116
    Messages:
    640
    Vehicle:
    ACORLR
    WTB Topper Lunar Rock 6’ Leer
    my next mod. I lifted only 2" and the wander isn't bad, but I'm planning some longer trips with it, so I'll want to tighten it up for sure.

    OP, I don't know if you have a problem, it sounds like more a need for fine tuning maybe. Good luck and let us know what happens. I have heard anytime you lift these trucks beyond 2.5" you need UCA for alignment, with steering also being improved.
     

Products Discussed in

To Top