Unstable handling at speed

When I go over bumps at speed it's like it loses all traction and the steering wheel jerks. I was on the highway the other day and went over a decent sized pothole and the whole car jerked to the left. It was pretty damn scary. Same thing happens around town going about 40. You hit a bump and you have no control over the steering for a second.

I just bought it, it's an 03' Prerunner that looks like it's had front end work on it. The guy said it has never been in an accident but the key had a front end shop keychain on it, and there's some frame pieces with "replacement part" stickers on them.

Is this something that can be fixed with an alignment? Or is it doomed?

 

A few things.....

1) Welcome to TW

2) It's a truck, not a car

3) Many of the Taco's with over 100k miles could use front end work (i.e. steering, bushings etc) and exhibit similar properties to what you are describing

4) Run a carfax if you are concerned about previous work. If you think that the front end isn't straight, have a shop take a look at it (body shop, alignment shop etc)

 

Check tie rods, lower and upper ball joints, lower and upper control arm bushings, coilover/shock top and bottom mounts. All these have to do with your problem. I would take it to an alignment shop if i were you.

 

Mine does that, think it’s the combo of stiffer springs and 285, ... and it’s a truck not a caddy. I like the thrill

 

And if you think the work was reported to insurance or some other entity that feeds the Carfax machine.

If it was fixed in the driveway, a cash deal at a shop, etc etc it will never show.

GIGO still reigns.

 

I'm wondering how much of it is due to it just being a truck. Guess I'll just take it to an alignment shop and see if there's anything fishy going on. I've drove suburbans and a stock height Nissan Hardbody and they didn't handle like this. This is my first time driving/owning something with this much of a lift and tires this size.
Something just seems off...

 

dont hit potholes but when i hit a bump the truck rocks left to right. i know its a truck and all, gonna see what can be done bout that

 

Just being a truck doesn't make it swerve dangerously or a small bump.

But how much lift are you talking about? Are the "frame pieces" actually frame or are you talking about the lift? A badly installed lift will do all kinds of bad for your handling.

 

The lift and/or worn out shocks could be causing the problem as well... what kind of lift is it?

 

Trucks shouldn’t be bumping lanes on the freeway, because they’re trucks.

Something isn’t right. Glad you’re fine riding in a death trap?

 

Let's see some pics of this bad boy!!

 

I stated the fact that it is a truck and not a car because he posted this...

I realize that a pre-runner is essentially a lifted Camry, but it still bothers me when people refer to them as "cars".

 

yes, something isnt right. Maybe the rack is going out also.

 

.. oh.

 

Take it to a good alignment shop and they should be able to point out what's wrong. Might be the steering rack or bushings. Is the truck lifted?