Taco Bump Steer? Where to Start?

I just crawled under it and checked again. Looks like one of the bushings on a lower control arm has a LOT more play than the rest. Like 3/16". I'm guessing that is a big problem so I'm going to replace that and then take it to get it realigned with higher caster. What do you think I should tell them to shoot for with the caster number?

 

Anybody know of a good writeup on replacing LCA bushings?

 

I'm pretty sure I read a thread that said that the lca bushings are a pain in the ass. Did you actually see the lca move? You can wiggle it around?

 

Make sure what you think is "play" is not how the stock bushings actually look like.

 

Yeah I can see it move quite a bit, its night and day compared to the other side. It is moving a really noticeable amount.

 

Well then, that sucks. It shouldn't move at all.

 

Yeah, just got a quote for $900 to replace all 4 C/A Bushings

 

This was a write up but the pics don't load for me: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/diy-lca-bushing-replacement-2005-tacoma-4x4.176250/

 

My vote is for more caster and replacement of steering rack bushings. Rack bushings can be a pita to install but doable. Replaced rack, sway bar and my LCA's with Energy Suspension bushings. Not to crazy bout the LCA bushings as they can be somewhat harsh at times. My E rated General Grabbers dont help.

I would say my steering has definitely improved from stock form. Very precise and got rid of my bump steer.

 

I'm thinking about replacing my bushings with the Energy Bushings. Have they started to squeak? A shop in town said the Poly bushings tend to be really loud.
Did you have to reuse the inner sleeve to install them?

 

The rack bushings wont experience any squeaks mainly by there design. I replaced all of my bushings over a year ago and am squeak free.

The hardest part of the rack was getting the OEM bushings removed. I usex a pneumatic pickle fork which help tremendously. No inner sleeve for the rack bushings only the LCA's.

My only problem after replacement of bushings is my traction control goes nuts once in a while when making a wide right turn. Have resorted to using my ABS delete more often. Have tried the Yaw sensor recalibration but problem still persist. Funny thing is it didnt do it after the lift and LCA bushings. It started later when I replaced the sway bar and rack bushings. Go figure.

 

Forgot to mention. I have 2 sets of wheels and tires. General Grabber AT2's 235-85/16 on stock steelies and Nitto Terra Grapplers 265-70/17 on stock Sport wheels. The Grabbers track straight and true while the Nittos tend to wander more. Only drawback to the Grabbers is the E rating. Very stiff side walls for such a light truck. Not very happy with the performance of the Nittos. Wont buy them again.

 

Thanks for all of the support guys. I'm going to have to wait until this weekend to install the bushing. I got a Moog bushing set off of Amazon. Hopefully that cures the problem. Now that I realize where the play is it makes sense based off of what I am feeling in the steering.

Once I get the new bushings in and C/A back on any suggestions for setting the alignment to make it to the alignment shop? I'm just going to take it straight to the shop and take all back roads driving under 40 mph to get there. Should I be safe doing that? I'm new to independent front suspension so sorry for any newb questions.

 

I would try to get your caster in the high 2's and camber and toe close to zero.

 

Thanks!

 

I just dropped the truck off at a family friends place who is a mechanic so we will see what he has to say. After that I'm going to an alignment shop to get my caster set differently. I'll let everybody know if this fixes my problem.

 

Had the mechanic look at it, I guess there aren't any worn bushings and the ball joints/ Tie rod ends, inner tie rods, sway bar end links, rack bushings are all good. I did the zip tie fix and that actually helped quite a bit. I'm hoping that when I go get it aligned with higher caster my issue goes away. Its starting to look like I might just be picky haha. Still I'm glad I know now that everything is good in my front end.

 

What numbers are desirable? I’m having this issue.

 

Did the higher caster work?

 

I don't agree with this. If you don't have a bunch of extra weight in the rear, a 285 does not need more than 32 PSI to hold the ass end of your little truck up. This has nothing to do with your bump steer.
I'd bet money that if you did a chalk test, you'd see that the outer lugs on those back tires are barely even touching the ground. This is just my opinion.