Truck difficult to control

Betcha didn't read all 10 pages...

 

So what would you say is actually the ideal scrub or range of scrub?

 

Zero added scrub is ideal.
I'd limit it to 3/4" of added positive scrub. Just needs enough toe-in to compensate.

 

Toyota’s factory alignment can leave something to be desired. Take it to a proper alignment shop (not the dealer and not a tire shop) and spend the $100 for your sanity. Water under the bridge.

 

Sounds like toe out. Could be tires too.

 

Funny I really meant veers

 

My steering feels like it has an ever so slight bind left or right, where you can jiggle it it back and forth a tad before it will actually move. I guess all I can say is it is very tight and has a tendency to go where it wants. The more I read on this topic the more disappointed I get. I look at people going by me just barely holding their steering wheel and I am holding on for dear life.

Another thing I find is that on a straight flat road, if it steer a little left it will keep steering left, and if I steer a little right it will keep steering right. Not an exaggerated amount but enough to definitely steer out of my my lane and if the freeway is wide enough, into many other lanes, left or right.

 

This is the classic symptom of toe-out (front wheels pointed away from each other). When you have toe-out, the vehicle will tend to track following your last input. It will pull left or right depending on what you do with your steering or following ruts in the road.

You might want to look into this. Good luck.

 

If you just bought it and haven't modded it take it to the dealer and see what they will do. Maybe the will at least align it for you.

 

yep, you need a base line to see if its an alignment issue.

 

i didn't read through all the posts, but did you get it figured out?

 

When i bought it the steering wheel was a little off so i had them align it. If i remember correctly, it was maybe 2 days later after I bought it I brought it back and had it aligned.

To be perfectly honest, I have some trust issues when it comes to working with dealerships and would rather pay to have it done right the first time as opposed to going back to the dealership or multiple dealerships a couple times just to be told thats as good as it gets.

I have the alignment sheet but was unable to post it.

 

is the dealer your only option? lots of good independent repair shops that are honest.

{me being one of them} just sayin....

 

Agreed, just need to find someone I can work with, just moved back to southern California...

 

sometimes the parts stores may know a good place to go,they deal with shops all the time.

 

I just need to find a tech at a shop who is an enthusiaist that understands sometimes its a trial and error thing till you get it right

 

TLDR; I bought a set of 1/4" Bora spacers (the longest I thought I could go while using stock studs/nuts). It's made a world of improvement.

Long version.
This was by far the most interesting thing I've read here. I had my alignment done by the dealer and then a specialty shop for almost $200 with no significant improvement. Considering this is only the second vehicle I've ever had an alignment, I simply don't believe a few degrees here and there matter. What I failed to consider was dynamic alignment and things like offsets and scrub radii. I watched plenty of scary videos on Youtube and decided to pay more to get more. After plenty of measuring of the wheel / hub area, I figured a 1/4in spacer was the thickest I could go while using the stock lug nuts.

The result: The steering self-centering has gone from vague to snaps-back-to-center and while it's not quite perfect and I need more miles on this setup, it's been a huge improvement.

 

This is great news. So how much of the threads are still grabbing with the spacer on? No concerns when you put the lugs on? I see this are only $30 a piece, so I may place an order soon.

 

I didn't measure the lugnuts very carefully but I think there's at least 3/8-1/2 inch still grabbing. If I vaguely remember I only need 4-5 threads to be grabbing for full strength - I'm also old and it's been 30 years since my engineering classes so probably wrong.

The wheel studs are flush with the outer wheel surface so it was a bit of work to get the lugs back on because of the shape of the lugs and it's mating surface. i.e. definitely don't want this struggle at night, in the rain, etc...

I would've like to have tried a 1/2 inch spacer for the full offset different between OR and Pro wheels but didn't want to cut my wheel studs. Something slightly thicker, maybe 3/4 inch spacers that come with their own studs might fit just fine. I want to put a few thousand miles on this setup before deciding next steps, which with working from home due to covid might take the rest of the year.

 

My 2c is it's normal for our package. The interstate in my area has very bad grooves and i have the same symptoms. Not sure if it's the junk tires or soft suspension.