Bumpsteer and twitchy steering

The steering in my truck is really getting in my nerves lately. The suspension is all stock to my knowledge, and tires are just slightly oversized to 265/70-17 (Terra Grappler G2’s at 34psi). There is no pulling to one side like it’s out of alignment, but when I’m on the highway I can take my hands off of the wheel and I can see it twitching left and right on it’s own. Slight little bumps or grooves in the road will make the steering wheel tug in that direction.

I’m just trying to figure out if this is normal or not. I know I just don’t feel as relaxed driving the Taco as I do in my Tundra.

 

That's how my steering is & I don't care too much for it. I bought my truck used @ 77K miles. It was like this on stock suspension w/a good alignment & it's like this after I installed Fox ~3" lift & got a good alignment. I'm used to solid front axle & not R&P steering. My assumption is this is the way it's supposed to be?

 

There is a right up on here member used some Wheelers poly bushings and replaced the ones on the rack and steering stuff

 

Could be a bad alignment? Maybe too little caster and camber/toe is off/mismatched

 

Maybe you need a little more caster.

 

I'm not sure what the OP's caster is but mine is now 3.9 DS & 4.4 PS (the difference is for the crown in the road).

 

He says he's stock (height?) but the caster angle may have been messed with in the past.

After lifting a couple inches, one of the best purchases for me was my UCAs. It really straightened out a lot of wander and added stability

 

I'd check air pressures, then I'd jack it up and check for any play in bushings, wheel bearing, ball joint, steering rack. If that all checks out, then I'd take it for an alignment to check toe and caster.

 

I asked about an alignment when I was having my tires balanced a few days ago and the guy said “if it’s not pulling it shouldn’t need an alignment”. What should the caster ideally be set at? The truck has 103k miles, no unusual noises or clunking, still has original Bilsteins.


It not too bad until I’m over about 65mph, then it’s almost like a ghost has their hands on the wheel steering it for me. High winds seem to amplify it.

 

Sounds like you might have some play in the tie rods inner or outer and or worn control arm/rack bushings. A good alignment shop will check all this for you when aligning.

 

Get a new alignment guy. What you are describing is an alignment problem, unless there is a problem with something worn in the front end. Toe out will cause the truck to hunt, but it is more likely a caster problem. Toyota specs 2 degrees caster for a stock truck, but higher is better. I have run different angles from to 2 to 4. The more lift you have, the more caster you need. These trucks seem to need a lot of caster.

It's amazing how often there are posts here about some crazy alignment tech. Everyone needs to find a guy that knows what they are doing, and keep them. Most of these guys are just trained to operate the equipment, but have zero understanding of what is actually going on. The best guys seem to all have gray hair. I have a GREAT alignment guy, and every time he does my truck, I pay him and buy him lunch. I can be gone over a year, and he will remember where we set the truck last time I was in,...and why!