Is Caster the answer for Tacoma bump steer - usually?

Hi. I am a new guy here, old guy in reality. I will keep this short as I know folks get pissed off at same questions over, and over, and over. Just purchased an 06 prerunner, 4.0. 165k miles. Replaced inner and outer tie rods on both sides. Had it aligned. Had bump steer prior to alignment and still have it. Is bump steer just normal on Tacomas? I DO NOT have the numbers from alignment, sorry. Front end besides age and mileage appears sound, no obvious slop anywhere. Is adjusting the camber to a high level (in allowed range) usually a fix? I like the truck and was just planning on changing out upper and lower A arms on both sides as I plan to keep truck. If anyone is willing to chime in, I appreciate it. I am a Toyota guy, this is my third truck (93 22re) 2003 Tundra, 3.4 - 4x4 - Manual Tranny (yes they made them and I hate myself for selling it) John

 

Stock wheels?

 

Welcome to Tacoma World. Can you post your alignment results? And what do you have for front suspension - stock, or something else? Wheels, tires, and inflated PSI?

 

Yes higher caster and tight suspension. Arms will make it feel much better.

 

This information is critical to answering your bump steer question. Wheels with more negative offset than stock (tires stick farther out of the fenderwell) will contribute to bump steer.

FWIW, my Tacoma is all stock except for 265/75-16 tires, which are ~1" taller than stock. 110K miles and no bump steer.

 

Describe "bumpsteer"...
Not accusing you of it, but most people who claim bumpsteer don't know what bumpsteer is and are experiencing something else entirely(eg tramlining)

 

Good call. I considered mentioning it but didn't want to muddy the waters. At the risk of oversimplification, tramlining can often be attributed to larger (more specifically, wider) tires.

 

No, bump steer is absolutely not normal.

I've never had or seen bump steer on any vehicle except a solid front axle with bad geometry. Are you lifted at all over stock? Any aftermarket front end components? I think an alignment to specs would take care of any steering problem unless you have worn out components (ball joints and/or steering linkage) or a broken mount.

 

Read this and see if this fits your issue. HOWE TC Pump Steering Kit – JD Fabrication I have done this and it does make a world of difference, but I am running 285/75/17's on 17x8.5 wheels with 0 offset.
The other question is. Do you experience problems when the rear wheels hit bumps especially while going around corners?

 

Sorry for my delay. Yes factory wheels, no lift, stock tire size. So I describe bump steer as going over rough ground or say a speed bump and the steering wheel turns slightly back and forth. No death rattle on highway. Driving on gravel road, steering wheel tends to move back and forth. I assume it's just worn bushings and I intend to just replace all 4 control arms as preventative maintenance. Just didn't want to do that if there was some more obvious solution. Lower speeds, steering wheel is just slightly turning back and forth when going over bumps. Just feels sloppy. Not as noticeable at highway speeds. I appreciate everyone's time. John