Sticky Steering

Hello Tacoheads...newbie here. I've had my '02 for two years now it's got 115k and runs great. 4cyl 5 speed. Recently (4 months ago)had the factory frame change done. Past two weeks the front end (or something) seems to hold the steering wheel while your in a turn. I can control it but it seems like it kinda of stays in the position you put it and if you take your hands off it it dosen't strighten out. something needs to be lubed or?????? Thanks

 

Are you lifted? Larger than stock tires? Is there even wear on the front tires?

 

The characteristick you describe, sounds like it related to your allignment - CASTER.

Did Toyota give you any 'warrantee' period after the frame was installed? I'm thinking....that maybe you need to go back and have everything re-checked.

Did they do an allignment after the frame was installed?

 

No. Not lifted. Big tires but thety are stock size

 

I have to check about the frame warranty. But , yes, they did alighn the truck after frame was done

 

Well my guess if if the Dealer aligned it they screwed it up. Take it to a real tire shop that knows what they are doing.

 

If it was ok after the alignment was done, but just starting acting up, I would say it sounds like front end parts starting to go bad. Balljoints would be my first guess.

 

I would contact the dealer who put the frame in....there should be some sort of 'warrantee' for their labor. Because, after 4 months....stuff can start to come loose. And honestly....If they don't re-check things for free, I'd start complaining!!!

 

I was thinking ball joint too. Do you think it would be the steering ball joints or the upper and lower control arm joints? I put a long bar under the tires while the truck was lifted up and I can't "feel" any play. Any way to narrow this down to one or the other and if it is the steering joints should both be done and is that a big deal. I'm not afraid of getting my paws dirty and am pretty mechanically inclined. Any special tools? Hey, thanks alot for your guys help