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Loose Steering at Speed After Rack Bushings

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by Diagram14, Apr 9, 2016.

  1. Apr 9, 2016 at 1:01 AM
    #1
    Diagram14

    Diagram14 [OP] Member

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    I recently replaced my steering rack bushings as general maintenance. I took it out for a test drive and noticed that as I approached 50 mph a loose spot developed in the steering which increased to 2-3" of free rotation as I approached 80 mph. I had my regular shop perform an alignment but found the issue remained afterward. The bushing replacement is solid, the rack does not budge under steering load.

    I have seen vague mention, and no follow-up, of a progressive or variable power steering assist that may or may not increase steering firmness with increased vehicle speed. Is there any experience out there with this particular behavior and/or diagnostics.

    This problem occurred suddenly. I have been running my current suspension for 2 years with several alignments performed. I know the issue is not slip yoke or tie rod related because of its speed dependency and visual inspection.

    I appreciate any and all input.
     
  2. Apr 9, 2016 at 10:41 AM
    #2
    Digiratus

    Digiratus Adventurer

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    2002 XtraCab TRD 4x4 SCv6 AutoTrans With Lots of Mods ADS COs w/Compression Adjusters Camburg Uniball UCAs Whiteline Lower Control Arm Bushings Kartek 7" Limit Straps Plastics Guy Front Bumpstops Total Chaos Sprindle Gussets Custom Alcan Springs +800 lbs +3" ADS 10" Stroke Triple Bypass w/Resi Rear Shocks Custom Rear Shock Relocate All-Pro U-bolt Flip w/Timbren Bumpstops 4.88 Nitro Gears ARB Front Locker ARB Twin Compressor Black 17x8 Konig Countersteer Type X 285/70r17 Falken A/T3w Gunmetal 16x8 SCS Ray10s 255/85r16 Maxxis Bighorns Limited Edition (Relentless) Elite Front Bumper Smittybilt X2O 10K Winch Diode Dynamics SS3 Sport Selective Yellow Fog Lights in the Bumper Diode Dynamics SS3 Pro 4,000 Kelvin SAE Driving Lights with Clear Lenses on the Bumper Morimoto D2S Projectors XB35 Ballasts + 4300K Bulbs Badland Sliders FrankenFab Tire Carrier Swingout bumper w/kitchen BudBuilt Front & Bellypan Skids BAMF Rear Diff Skid Dometic CFX 55im Fridge/Freezer Alpha II Hardshell RTT Badland Custom Bed Rack Denso 210-0461 105 amp alternator Dual Northstar 24F AGM batteries BlueSea 7622 ML-ACR Battery controller Peak DBI Dual Battery Voltage Monitor Haltech IC-7 Display with Mako Dash Insert Haltech Elite 2500 Standalone ECU Magnuson MP62 Supercharger w/URD 2.2" Pulley Doug Thorley Headers Denso 650cc Fuel Injectors Aeromotive Stealth 340 Fuel Pump TransGo A340F Reprogramming Shift Kit OEM ECU Delete Full A340F Trans Control with the Haltech 2500 ECU 2.5" Magnaflow Hi-Flow CAT Magnaflow 18" Muffler w/Vibrant Resonator 13WL Brake Calipers with OEM Rotors & Pads Braided Steel Brake Lines Kenwood TM-71A Dual Band Ham Radio STI-CO Flex Whip VFH/UHF 1/4 Wave Antenna Midland MTX275 GMRS Radio w/Roof Mount Antenna Pioneer DEH-P9400BH HU Alpine Amps & Type R components (F) and coaxials (R) Wet Okole Seat Covers Weathertech Digital Liners Deck Plate Mod 1" Diff Drop Carrier Bearing Drop
    I have never heard of variable power steering assist in 1st gen Tacomas.

    Do you know the exact settings the shop got for your alignment? In particular, what is the caster setting that they achieved?

    More details on your truck would be helpful. Are you lifted? Is so, how much? Are you a 4x4 or a prerunner? What size tire?
     
  3. Apr 9, 2016 at 11:29 AM
    #3
    Diagram14

    Diagram14 [OP] Member

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    Sure thing,

    Truck: 04 DC 4x4

    2.5" lift on mid-travel kit.
    Front: King C/Os, LR UCAs, new Toyota LBJs.
    Rear: Dakar w/ Fox
    Tires: Cooper Discoverer S/T Maxx 255/85R16

    As I am currently standing in a river fly fishing I do not have the alignment sheet on me but can say that all the metric windows were green suggesting that a factory alignment was achieved.

    Did I miss anything?
     
  4. Apr 9, 2016 at 1:30 PM
    #4
    Digiratus

    Digiratus Adventurer

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    2002 XtraCab TRD 4x4 SCv6 AutoTrans With Lots of Mods ADS COs w/Compression Adjusters Camburg Uniball UCAs Whiteline Lower Control Arm Bushings Kartek 7" Limit Straps Plastics Guy Front Bumpstops Total Chaos Sprindle Gussets Custom Alcan Springs +800 lbs +3" ADS 10" Stroke Triple Bypass w/Resi Rear Shocks Custom Rear Shock Relocate All-Pro U-bolt Flip w/Timbren Bumpstops 4.88 Nitro Gears ARB Front Locker ARB Twin Compressor Black 17x8 Konig Countersteer Type X 285/70r17 Falken A/T3w Gunmetal 16x8 SCS Ray10s 255/85r16 Maxxis Bighorns Limited Edition (Relentless) Elite Front Bumper Smittybilt X2O 10K Winch Diode Dynamics SS3 Sport Selective Yellow Fog Lights in the Bumper Diode Dynamics SS3 Pro 4,000 Kelvin SAE Driving Lights with Clear Lenses on the Bumper Morimoto D2S Projectors XB35 Ballasts + 4300K Bulbs Badland Sliders FrankenFab Tire Carrier Swingout bumper w/kitchen BudBuilt Front & Bellypan Skids BAMF Rear Diff Skid Dometic CFX 55im Fridge/Freezer Alpha II Hardshell RTT Badland Custom Bed Rack Denso 210-0461 105 amp alternator Dual Northstar 24F AGM batteries BlueSea 7622 ML-ACR Battery controller Peak DBI Dual Battery Voltage Monitor Haltech IC-7 Display with Mako Dash Insert Haltech Elite 2500 Standalone ECU Magnuson MP62 Supercharger w/URD 2.2" Pulley Doug Thorley Headers Denso 650cc Fuel Injectors Aeromotive Stealth 340 Fuel Pump TransGo A340F Reprogramming Shift Kit OEM ECU Delete Full A340F Trans Control with the Haltech 2500 ECU 2.5" Magnaflow Hi-Flow CAT Magnaflow 18" Muffler w/Vibrant Resonator 13WL Brake Calipers with OEM Rotors & Pads Braided Steel Brake Lines Kenwood TM-71A Dual Band Ham Radio STI-CO Flex Whip VFH/UHF 1/4 Wave Antenna Midland MTX275 GMRS Radio w/Roof Mount Antenna Pioneer DEH-P9400BH HU Alpine Amps & Type R components (F) and coaxials (R) Wet Okole Seat Covers Weathertech Digital Liners Deck Plate Mod 1" Diff Drop Carrier Bearing Drop
    Two thoughts.

    As you lift the front end, the stock (green) caster range is inadequate. This is a by product of lifting an IFS suspension. One of the symptoms of low caster is a feeling of loose steering at highway speeds. Your LR UCAs are capable of being set so a higher caster number is possible. Check your alignment sheet to see what it says. For good driveability, I like my caster higher than +2.5 degrees. +3* or higher is even better if you can get it.

    The other thought I had on why all of a sudden. I suspect, it isn't. I suspect that your worn our steering rack bushings were masking the issue. Now that the steering rack is no longer moving around, you are now able to feel this other stuff much better.
     
  5. Apr 9, 2016 at 1:45 PM
    #5
    Diagram14

    Diagram14 [OP] Member

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    I was thinking the same thing as I'm trying make sense of it. Some how the old blown bushings must have been dampening the slop.

    Do you have any technical reference material to explain the role of caster at highway speeds for lifted applications? I'm not doubting your advise, I'm a mechanical engineer and like to understand why.
     
  6. Apr 9, 2016 at 2:21 PM
    #6
    Digiratus

    Digiratus Adventurer

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    Vehicle:
    The RedHead
    2002 XtraCab TRD 4x4 SCv6 AutoTrans With Lots of Mods ADS COs w/Compression Adjusters Camburg Uniball UCAs Whiteline Lower Control Arm Bushings Kartek 7" Limit Straps Plastics Guy Front Bumpstops Total Chaos Sprindle Gussets Custom Alcan Springs +800 lbs +3" ADS 10" Stroke Triple Bypass w/Resi Rear Shocks Custom Rear Shock Relocate All-Pro U-bolt Flip w/Timbren Bumpstops 4.88 Nitro Gears ARB Front Locker ARB Twin Compressor Black 17x8 Konig Countersteer Type X 285/70r17 Falken A/T3w Gunmetal 16x8 SCS Ray10s 255/85r16 Maxxis Bighorns Limited Edition (Relentless) Elite Front Bumper Smittybilt X2O 10K Winch Diode Dynamics SS3 Sport Selective Yellow Fog Lights in the Bumper Diode Dynamics SS3 Pro 4,000 Kelvin SAE Driving Lights with Clear Lenses on the Bumper Morimoto D2S Projectors XB35 Ballasts + 4300K Bulbs Badland Sliders FrankenFab Tire Carrier Swingout bumper w/kitchen BudBuilt Front & Bellypan Skids BAMF Rear Diff Skid Dometic CFX 55im Fridge/Freezer Alpha II Hardshell RTT Badland Custom Bed Rack Denso 210-0461 105 amp alternator Dual Northstar 24F AGM batteries BlueSea 7622 ML-ACR Battery controller Peak DBI Dual Battery Voltage Monitor Haltech IC-7 Display with Mako Dash Insert Haltech Elite 2500 Standalone ECU Magnuson MP62 Supercharger w/URD 2.2" Pulley Doug Thorley Headers Denso 650cc Fuel Injectors Aeromotive Stealth 340 Fuel Pump TransGo A340F Reprogramming Shift Kit OEM ECU Delete Full A340F Trans Control with the Haltech 2500 ECU 2.5" Magnaflow Hi-Flow CAT Magnaflow 18" Muffler w/Vibrant Resonator 13WL Brake Calipers with OEM Rotors & Pads Braided Steel Brake Lines Kenwood TM-71A Dual Band Ham Radio STI-CO Flex Whip VFH/UHF 1/4 Wave Antenna Midland MTX275 GMRS Radio w/Roof Mount Antenna Pioneer DEH-P9400BH HU Alpine Amps & Type R components (F) and coaxials (R) Wet Okole Seat Covers Weathertech Digital Liners Deck Plate Mod 1" Diff Drop Carrier Bearing Drop
    I can't explain it in technical terms but as I understand it, 0* of caster is a veritcal line between the upper and lower ball joints. Positive caster is when the upper BJ is 'behind' the lower bj. In other words, its when that line between the two BJs is tilted back.

    But I know its waaaay more complicated than that. I am sure there are folks on here that can explain it technically on why it feels better. What I am sure of is how it feels and what adding caster does to that feel.

    FWIW, low caster will not cause unusual tire wear. Its all about driveability.
     

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