Insane bump steer on stock suspension

Dealer just replaced the UCAs and front shocks on my ‘22 pro to solve some squeaks. They fixed the squeaks, but now the steering feels sloppy at highway speed and I have frightening bump steer on anything other than smooth pavement.

Initially I only noticed a slight wandering/sloppy feeling in the wheel on the highway. I took it back to the dealership and they checked/made some slight adjustments to the alignment that did nothing to resolve the issue. Last night I drove it through a gravel parking lot (very slow), which is when I noticed the crazy feedback in the wheel. I’ve never experienced anything like it. The wheel shakes violently. No rattles/thunks/squeaks that I could hear.

When I got home last night I looked under the truck and noticed that the tie rod on the pass side is twisted at a noticeably different angle than the drivers side. Looks like it’s twisted back (toward the rear) as far as it can go on the ball joint. Also the ends of the rack arms on both sides, just inward of the threaded portion, where you could slip on an open ended wrench, are chewed up and rounded over.

Think the issue is caused by the pass side tie rod being twisted hard over, or something else? I’m obviously going to call the dealer tomorrow, but have a trip planned for later today. Trying to decide if it’s safe to drive.

 

Sounds like your alignment is way off, like you have negative castor. Obviously take it back to the dealer.

Just my opinion, but if you have doubts about the vehicle being safe to drive, then it isn’t. It is one thing to bang up your own truck, but I’d hate to live with myself if I hurt someone else and it could have been prevented. Not worth the risk.

 

Upload a photo of what you’re seeing.

 

Pictures of the alignment and drivers side and pass side tie rods. I misspoke about the direction of twist on the tie rods (looks different in daylight than it did with a crappy flashlight last night), but you can see they are at different degrees. I’m going to skip driving it today. Thanks for the quick responses!

 

Verify your tire pressure is set correctly. I have the same UltraTerrain tires and they handle and ride best when set around 30psi cold.

 

That alignment doesn’t look bad to me. What’s you tire pressure at?

 

Did you also change wheels and/or tires (or add wheel spacers) by chance?

 

Tire pressure is good, 32 all around. No spacers. Did not drive it today. With it under warranty, going to let the dealer figure it out. Appreciate the quick replies.

 

What did you replace the OEM parts with?

 

Just new OE parts. All under warranty. Said something about a bad valve in some of the Fox shocks. Said it was a known thing for the 4Runner. Less common on the Tacoma.

 

I wouldn't believe them too much on that. They don't know. They just changed anything that could squeak.

Your tie rods look fine. There's a ball and socket joint on both inner and outer joints. You can grab it and twist it back and forth and not affect anything. You should actually grab it and feel if there any play in it.

True bump steer is from when you raise or lower a suspension beyond it's design range which creates excessive toe change. You don't have that so something must be loose that they replaced.

Your before and after alignment numbers look fine. Alignment wouldn't create the wheel shake you're getting on gravel either.

 

I’m having the same issue. When I go over small bumps my steering wheel moves with it. Not sure where to start looking. Did you find a solution to your problem?

 

Between family and work, I ran out of time for dealing with a crappy truck and sold it. Problem solved.

I felt like the dealer had exhausted all available options and were washing their hands of it. That was after they had replaced the front shocks twice and UCAs once. They did document the steering rack was leaking, but said leaking was normal for the Tacoma and they would have to keep an eye on it (they couldn’t replace it for leaking under warranty). So, maybe something with the rack itself? Maybe the rack bushings? I replaced the tires twice. In the end, nothing worked for me except getting rid of it.

For context, this was my second 2022 Tacoma. The first one, a TRD OR, never had this issue.

 

They’re suggesting I replace the rack and pinions as well as the tie rods which is an expensive fix but might be our issue. Not sure if I’m going to do it or not

 

Do you know when the issue with yours started? Was it a gradual onset or more immediate? Any theories on what caused it?

On mine, it felt like the rack. I have zip to support the following theory, but I suspect one of the two techs working on my truck damaged something with the rack while trying to diagnose/fix the initial squeaking problem. I still can’t think of what else it could have been. I just couldn’t get them to confirm an issue with the rack and I wasn’t going to pay out for a replacement myself. I’m not envious of the decision you have to make. Let us know what you decide and how it works out.

 

It’s always kind of been like that ever since I bought it. They didn’t say it was 100% sure the rack but based off the way, the play is on the steering wheel It kind of has to be the rack. The steering wheel goes left and right and crazy over all sorts of different bumps, but not over potholes. I think it really does just have to be the rack the bumps and the way it pushes the pinions which I feel through the steering wheel. Not sure if I’m gonna go through with fixing it because the labor cost are really expensive and it’s not the end of the world for the steering wheel but definitely something to keep in mind. I will keep you updated.

 

do you have any videos of what it was like when driving your truck? For me it’s the worst when the truck is just rolling and the pavement is cracked. It’s not even bad in potholes

 

Unfortunately I don’t have any videos. Have you tried driving yours on gravel? On gravel, mine felt as if the rack bushings were made of metal and the tires were aired at 150psi. The wheel would shake violently. I don’t recall having trouble with it on paved surfaces. Don’t recall anything specific about potholes.