Tighten the Steering

Hey folks,

I can't stand the level of power steering on my '11 and am wondering what the modification options are for stiffening it and what kind of difference each modification produces. EG. moving to polyurethane bushings for steering rack, control arm, modifying pump fluid level/pressure, etc..

I know this has been discussed countless times but I'm looking for recommendations and/or feedback from folks that have successfully eliminated the excessive play in the 2nd gen steering.

Thanks

 

I didn't notice any play in the steering at all. It's not as tight as a sports car but any time I move the wheel, the truck responds.

Are you looking for something with a tighter ratio, say instead of a full turn of the wheel, get the same amount of turn from 1/2 a turn?

 

Thanks,
Maybe "play" is not the best word.. I guess my issues are as follows:

1a) I find the steering very jittery on the highway.. Keeping it in a straight line requires constant [re]adjustment. Car and Driver cited this as a primary issue when they chose the Ridgeline over the Taco a few years back so it's nothing new.
1b) The level of power/assist on the Taco is much higher than anything I've owned. At both low and high speeds the steering is far too soft, similar to a 80's/90's cadillac.

2) The ratio. From what I've read there's nothing that can be done here short of retro-fitting a system from a similar/compatible vehicle.

Chuckled when I read your comment re: Sports Car - I'm definately a bit biased as my last vehicle was an M3 however I drive my father-in-law's S10 often and its steering feels much more solid and handles much less jittery on the highway.

Ultimately I'm just looking for anything/everything that can be done..

 

Agreed, the steering is softer than most vehicles I've owned. I'm curious to see what people have done. Maybe the X-runner group have figured out how to tighten up the steering since they'd be more inclined to have that sporty feel.

 

Gosh, my steering is a no-brainer, I never have to think about it on the highway and it doesn't need constant attention.
Perhaps tires and suspension mods are causing your steering issues? Have you tried someone else's Taco to compare?

 

I haven't tried another Tacoma short of the showroom model I test drove a year ago. I'm on stock suspension (TRD Sport) & stock rubber.. was on stock wheels until recently. Changing from polished silver to matte black did not make things better

I'm fairly certain the problem is universal. Car and Driver was on stock wheels/rubber/suspension when they wrote: "What really set back the Tacoma was its imprecise, wallowing suspenders and numb steering. It heels over in turns, plows like a Deere, and bobs up and down long after you've passed road undulations."

My intent isn't to argue the strengths/weaknesses of the Tacoma's handling.. just looking for improvement options.

 

Post #3 #1A.

Same issue there, I had an 06 and it didn't do this, 3" lift w/ 33s.

 

The tracking on the highway could be fixed with a little toe-in on the alignment. I would suggest you get the alignment looked at before anything else.

 

The problems mentioned by Car and Driver are not steering related, they're suspension related. Personally, I agree that the stock suspension sucked but with new coilovers, an AAL and new shocks front and rear, I have eliminated brake induced nose dives, truck roll in corners (still does some but it's expected on a truck) and the bobbing is non-existant although I didn't think that was a problem even with the soft OEM suspension. It sounds like you were focused on steering (and rightfully so based on your concerns) but if what you're experiencing is that same as Car and Driver described, I'd look at your suspension before the steering.