Steering wander - lower control arm bushings

I have had a persistent problem with steering wander on my 2014 tacoma. It appears there are gaps where the LCA bushings are supposed to be tight, and perhaps even missing bushings. Any insight you can give from these photos? Surely there shouldn't be gaps...

 

Thats how those bushings are from the factory. Its normal to have that gap.

What are your caster number (really all alignment numbers)

 

Depends on what day you check it. Toe, caster, changes from alignment to alignment; sai was out of spec once. Caster generally .3 to .6 difference between sides.

 

Wouldn't the gaps allow the Lca to move? I am not just talking about no bushings existing on the front - also gaps on the rear side. Don't these need to be snug?

 

my steering feels like that too. it shakes a lot when driving on rough roads

 

This shouldn't be an issue with a 2014, but new rack bushings really tightened up my steering.

 

Zip Tie mod.........titened mine up..... made all the differance

 

Are your LCA bolts torqued to 155 foot pounds?

 

So instead of dealership/manufacturer fixing the defect you wedged plastic in the steering column? Did you try for a resolution with dealer?

 

6 lug LCA bolts torque to 100ftlbs.

OP the bushings in the stock LCA's are bonded, that is the center sleeve is bonded to the rubber so its all one piece. They will move forward n back a bit by nature but not anywhere close to the gap. And they way they are oriented with the big gaps facing eachother on the inside the lca cant move forward or back unless it compresses the big rubber.

 

are you still under Toyota care?
Take it to the dealer if so.

 

Having very low caster numbers like you are stating you do, will result in wandering at highway speeds.

 

I thought the OP had a 2wd

 

I have a 2WD Prerunner sport. The bushings should not be separated, correct? And they are aligned or stacked improperly? (Explain: "And they way they are oriented with the big gaps facing each other on the inside the lca cant move forward or back unless it compresses the big rubber.")

Thank you!

 

The caster numbers being over .5 off side/side is something that on its own will cause steering wander, from what I understand. And I have that.

You can try to align around it to hide it, but when .5 or greater difference from side to side there will always be problems - is that correct?

Can anyone verify these are the right specs?

Does anyone have recommended specs?

Thanks guys.

 

Dealer is giving me the run around. No help. They know they screwed me and are sitting tight.

It makes me want to ram a zip tie somewhere: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/steering-column-fix.88077/

 

Find another dealer if it is.
If it really is alignment I've gotten mine fixed under Toyota care

 

Here are various alignment reports. Toyota 2014 alignment.pdf

The car has been aligned 5+ times but it always reverts to the same wandering, dangerous condition. So caster is an issue, as are the lca bushings, and the lca bushing location? Thank you thank you.

 

Two more looks at the lca bushings and configuration. Can't be right. Help me explain what's wrong. Gracias.

 

Any further thoughts? Thanks.