Loose steering - wander - common complaint

Thank you. I will get me a set and change it. Thank you again

 

Just curious if anyone has had their frame replaced and if this is something that would be changed out.

 

It is not included in the frame swap. You get your original rack and bushings back with the frame swap.

 

I think its pretty involved to change them out. I probably would not have done it if it wasn't for the recall. I would get an opinion from someone that has put them on without the frame recall done at the same time before I pulled the trigger on them. I had multiple newer suspension parts put on at the same time as the bushings that might also have worked to somewhat correct the wandering issue.

 

What was the frame recall for? rust?

 

Yep, the frame rust recall.

 

I think this is funny cause I'm going through this right now, I've had the camber and toe adjusted which help a ton but it's still not quite right. Highway driving makes me nervous when I'm in between 2 vehicles, I have to have both hands on the wheel and really concentrate. I am buying a set of used 245 70 17s on rims tomorrow to try out just to make sure it's not my tires that are the problem.

 

Oh I am in the same boat. Thats how I feel when I drive. I hold my steering tight but I still feel truck floating.

 

did you ever get them in? My rack moves probably +- 3/16ths from resting in either direction when you move the steering wheel at the top maybe +-45* from center.... my truck LOVES to wander and alignment is good... me thinks my bushings at 116k miles are donezo.

literally exactly what i have been experiencing in my truck as of late. I swear im gonna get pulled over one day for DUI when im completely sober the way the truck likes to wander from outside influences.

 

I had my steering rack bushings replaced during my frame replacement and it made little or no difference.
Someday I may figure it out...

 

My steering rack moves about a half inch or 3/4 inch in and out before any movement of wheels start , is this the same problem ? I got steering wheel wobble down the road .

 

1st gens this was an issue big time. Not so much 2-3rd gens.

The rack is supposed to flex and move, if it didn't you'd have way too much feed back in the wheel. Then there would be other complaints.

 

My steering was sloppy until I changed out my rack for one I got from CVJ or CJV ....The people who do the OEM half shafts in Colorado. Went to change to Energy suspension bushings and my steering boot was full of fluid, Never leaked a drop, ended up doing the whole rack, Hardest thing I done to this truck yet, not because its really difficult, but its like doing one of those mind teaser puzzles. For those that know, Yes, I cut the bolt, and it is now upside down.

 

Just an update, so I pu some snowtires on what i believe are the older Tundra rims, 245/70/17 to see if my 265/70/17 were the problem and guess what, I believe I found the problem, it drives like it should, I can actually drive with 1 hand and actually look away from the road for a few seconds without ending up in the next lane. Plus I don't think it looks half bad.

 

I got them in twice since that post. Lol. Worth every penny brother. Just make sure you crank those rack retaining nuts tighter than you would stock because of the stiffer bushings. You don't want the lateral play the OE racks are capable of from the inherently large tires potentially causing the rack to force the retaining fasteners to loosen up to allow slop in the wheel while turning. Ask me how I know.

 

OEM torque specs shouldn’t be changed because the nut/bolt clamp on the metal sleeve, not the poly bushing.

btw, what earned you the 30 day exile??

 

And FWIW, the wandering can also be a symptom of bad lower control arm bushings, which are definitely prone to wear out faster. Easier to replace too. Would suck to wrestle out the rack just to learn that it wasn’t causing the problem and some deflection is intended to keep down NVH, that’s why old Yota put rubber there in the first place

 

Ahh yeah, that's right. It's just been so long since I did it, regardless OE tq spec was something ridiculous but I can see why and you need a giant old breaker just to get it as tight as it calls for.

 

Bumping an old thread.

My pickup wanders on the road and most noticeable above 30mph. As others have stated, two hands on the wheel and feels like I'm using the whole lane at times.

2014 DCSB Sport 4x4
69k miles - Original owner
Tried new Geolanders 20k miles (no change), put on Cooper Discoverers HTP 20k miles (no change).

Had a very reputable shop align twice, they said "good to go" both times. I'm not a steering/suspension expert. Am looking for some DIY inspection tips. Thanks!

 

why not look at the column

it is separate from camber and toe being set at the LCA bolts and tie rods