Steering Wanders

I have a 17 TRD off-road and the steering feels like it wanders, alignment and tire pressures are good. I’m trying to find the parts for replacement steering rack bushings but can’t find them. Any help would be nice.

 

Word is the Gen 2 rack bushings are the same. I've been watching the video's on how to do these. Looks like it's worth having new rack bolt's on hand and you cut the bolt heads off to drop them out the bottom otherwise you are lifting the motor.

 

Totally stock suspension? I know you said the alignment was on, but They will wander if lifted without new upper control arms to correct caster angle.

 

How long have you owned the truck and what did you drive before it?

 

Yes all stock. Just replaced shocks and struts hoping the issue would be fixed along with the other issues I had with wore out shocks. Lol. And I still need to jack it up and verify that this is my issue but I’m just trying to find parts for just in case it is. Had it a little over a month but drove my buddies exact same model and year today and his felt really good. I think the previous owner did a good amount of off-roading.

 

I will try the second gen ones and pray I don’t have to cut any bolts. Thanks Fellas. Also if there’s anything else I should know, I’m listening.

 

here is a post from another site. Worth looking at the pics

 

What suspension did you replace it with? This can be a factor too. The stock offroad suspension on mine wandered all over the place till I upgraded.

 

Jeez I hope I don’t need to pull that rack.

And like I said. My buddy has the same exact truck and his is fine. Even has more miles on his.

 

Check the steering shaft u joint. If it’s worn steering gets sloppy.

 

does the steering column have a collapsing shaft (telescopic or otherwise) that can develop slop? My 1st gen had this issue bad and wondering if the 2nd/3rd gen have a similar design.

 

Had a similar issue with my 2001 tundra where it would hold a straight line down the highway if i let off the steering wheel. It drove me crazy...turned out it didn't that set of of goodyear tires. Bit the bullet, and installed a new set of bridgestone revo's and it was a different truck.

 

My 19 OR felt that way on freeway. After swapping tires and struts for lift I haven’t noticed it

 

I don't think that is true, both our lifted 2018s don't wander at all, stock uca, springs, just used 5100s. Mine slightly wandered when new but the alignment is where the problem is, imo.

 

I speak from experience. I bought a tacoma with a spacer lift and add a leaf that didn’t drive well and was a handful to keep straight down the road. Tried to get it aligned after doing some front end work and the caster could not be brought into factory specs. Removed the spacers and add a leaf to get it back to stock ride height, aligned it and it tracks straight. It didn’t wander so bad that it was undrivable, but was enough to make you tired if you were going any distance from constantly having to correct.

 

This. I'd like to see the caster numbers. Even though mine are "in spec" with my lift, they are definitely low for what they should be, and I can feel it on the highway. My 2013 which had slightly less lift due to the weight of the ARB bumper didn't have that same issue. I also see a difference when I have my BFGs on during the spring through fall relative to my Nokians I run in winter which have more a dedicated highway tread.

 

I just went into the dealership yesterday for the same issue ('20 TRD OR stock, 10,000 miles) dealer said it was in spec and that's just how the truck is. Attached is my alignment numbers when they checked it. I asked if they could make any adjustments which would help and they said no
I'm going to look for a local front end shop for some recommendations

 

Where’s the caster reading?

 

Did they include a sheet with Caster on it? That's the spec also matters here, quite a bit.

 

Total toe but not individual? No caster? Wtf kind of hack job alignment are they trying to peddle? If left toe is -2.0 and right is +1.25 total will still be "in spec", but it will drive like shit and want to pull left one second and right the next.