Steering Wheel Pulling

Hi,

I have 2004 Tacoma 2.4 xtracab while I was turning around in a cul de sac, I stopped for a few seconds and was on my way I noticed that there was pulling on the steering wheel like when you have a flat tire. I literally pulled over on the highway to check. I heard no noise when I turned around. It feels like someone is trying to pull the steering wheel from me when I'm trying to steer. Does anyone have a clue what might be the issue and is it safe to drive? thanks

 

Take it to a shop. Could be an alignment issue, tire issue or some combination of things.

 

They wanted to charge over a 100 bucks to diagnose it and I don't have a money tree in the backyard yet

 

There is no way to tell over the internet if your vehicle is safe to drive. The way you describe it this sounds like something just changed noticeably. Enough for you to look into it. Worse case something could be about to go catastrophically. It may just be an alignment, which is about $120-$160. The diagnosis fee should be included in the estimate to fix. If you let an alignment issue go it will cause premature and uneven tire wear. So you are kind of avoiding the doctor because of fear of the diagnosis.

My best internet buddy advice is take it to a competent automotive professional.

 

No, it more like I'm broke and don't have the money because otherwise, I'd just take it to a shop. Just trying to see if someone else had a similar issue. My truck was perfectly fine until I made that turn, does alignment go out of wack just like that? I would think if it was an alignment issue I would have had it all day.

 

You can check your brakes to see if they are stuck on the side pulling.

 

This would be my first guess, too.

You might have a stuck caliper.

 

Don't forget to check your steering rack bushings. I am diagnosing the same problem right now.

 

Got alignment, got tires balanced problem still happening. I will ask about my steering rack bushing. thanks!

 

If it was the brakes would it happen when I was braking and not driving? It is definitely pulling to the right and if I let go of the steering wheel is almost looks like someone is steering it, the way it moves back in forth. The place couldn't find anything. This is so frustrating to find the issue

 

I feel your pain. I have been searching for a few months and have replaced almost everything. If you want more info on how we have been trying to diagnose mine see here.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/front-end-brake-conundrum-what-gives.615793/

I can tell you that before i replaced my rack bushings you could see the whole rack shift right, pulling the wheels left. Pretty easy install. If you lift your truck front end up can you move either tire left/right by push pulling at 3 & 9'oclock? That is how i found the bushings. It will also help you see if it is tie rod ends or ball joints although a competent alignment shop should see that. (Mine did not though...)

 

where you get your kit from? You want to install mine hahahaa

 

Not necessarily, they're suggesting that one of your brake calipers might be stuck meaning it's constantly braking on that side...which would cause it to pull to that side.

If this were happening it would be pretty easy to diagnose, the wheel on the side that's pulling would be super hot from the brakes always being engaged on that side. Put your hand up to it (don't press on it) and see if it's really hot after a drive.

If the wheel itself is really hot then that's likely your issue...brakes get hot but the wheels should not, unless the brakes are stuck.

 

I got my kit from 4 wheel parts. Install is not easy per day but really more frustrating. I used a c clamp and a series of sockets to press the old parts out and new ones in. Took me an hour. Theee are a few threads on it. I have a few comments about the job on post 76 and 79 of my 4wd thread. See my signature for the link.

 

I don't have a 4x4 just the basic 1st gen taco, Oh I thought it was an easy install. I'm not brave enough to work on my truck. I just know enough to be dangerous, replace my fluids, air filter etc.