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5 lug taco steering stabilizer?

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by Mosderek, Nov 16, 2016.

  1. Nov 16, 2016 at 10:16 AM
    #1
    Mosderek

    Mosderek [OP] Well-Known Member

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    hey guys so I have a 95 taco reg cab 2wd 5 lug I just got my truck aligned after raising it from the last owner smh. And after my 200 mile trip the other day i noticed if I let go of the steering wheel it will stay straight but the steering wheel will teeter back and forth depending on the road condition. I feel I need a stabilizer of some sort. I've always felt like Toyotas are bad about over steering due to ease. Possibly bc I've only owned reg cabs and they are light idk. Anyway thanks for the help in advance.
     
  2. Nov 16, 2016 at 11:37 AM
    #2
    COMAtized99

    COMAtized99 Well-Known Member

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    The Bed is stock...ish
    No steering stabilizers on Tacomas. You got other issues, like warped rotors, or tires out of balance maybe...
     
  3. Nov 16, 2016 at 12:25 PM
    #3
    TacoDell

    TacoDell Truck ~n~ Tow

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    Commonly the caster settings at both sides are not set equally
    in order to compensate for the crowning of the roadway (center higher).

    So possibly on roads having less crown...
    steering in one direction may be more sensitive then the other.

    Steering stablizers are designed for solid axles
    so as to reduce/minimize steering wheel kick back.

    Not a correction for loose or worn components.

    I do not understand "teeter" nor what road conditions means ?

    Steering wheel ocillation - shimmy back and forth ?

    Possibly the alignment tech was lousy at his job...
    or some component is loose or worn.

    Often the steering rack mount bushings are shot
    or the inner tie rod ends are sloppy and need replacement.

    But I'd think a qualified alignment tech could determine that.
    And diagnose if something is amiss or worn.

    Maybe you should take it back to the place whom aligned it...
    and discuss with them what you're feeling.

    Possibly the alignment settings did not hold...
    or there is something else going on or has become worn.

    I would suspect the inner tie rods are worn...
    if the steering movement changes when manuevering
    or making lane changes and the like.

    But it's just a guess on my part...
    because I cannot drive your vehicle
    and ascertain what yer describing.
     
  4. Nov 16, 2016 at 4:26 PM
    #4
    Mosderek

    Mosderek [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Just replaced upper and lower ball joints before the alignment and while I was under there I checked the tierods and ends and they had no play at all. I will check the rack bushing and make sure it's not warn. Yes, sorry I used different terminology to describe the movement....yes I suppose it could be described as a "shimmy" and by "road conditions" im talking about patches and such in the road.
     
  5. Nov 16, 2016 at 8:31 PM
    #5
    TacoDell

    TacoDell Truck ~n~ Tow

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    A shimmy is either caused my mis-alignment... or worn components.
    Occasionaly a bad tire that won't balance properly.

    In my understanding of your "road conditions" describing "patches and such" on the road surface.
    I might consider sloppy inner tie rods as being most suspect.

    ITRE slop... would tend to cause wander or pull in the direction of the road surface irregularity.
    But that wander would be less - hardly noticeable on a smooth road surface.

    Curious as to how you know for sure it's not the ITRE's ?
     
  6. Nov 28, 2016 at 9:37 AM
    #6
    Mosderek

    Mosderek [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Well besides there being absolutely no play...I had a friend steady the wheel just to make sure as I pushed and pulled on the rod (not the outer tie rod end) and it provided no play inside the joint. Would that suffice?
     

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