Twitchy Steering?

No, the issues you mention here are more slop that twitch (twitch meaning super sensitive, the opposite of slop). The aftermarket coils and shocks make them wonderfully responsive and provide great road feel, but as your speed increases, the tracking (tendency to go straight) goes away, and you need constant minor input to stay straight, or in your lane. The truck responds very well to input.

Insufficient caster makes the truck feel like it is up on its toes at higher speeds. I also noticed increased understeer. That, too, has gone away with increased caster.

 

I suspect this depends on the truck and, more importantly, the tech. Mine was able to achieve 0' (left and right) Camber, 2.4' & 2.5' (left and right) Caster, and -0.01' & 0.02' (left and right) Toe on my truck, though it took a couple of visits...

Take a look at your alignment numbers - you MAY be pleasantly surprised...

BTW, I don't have any problems with my steering despite still having stock UCAs.

 

That's the first thing I look at before I leave the shop. Your numbers a great, with less caster on the driver side to keep it out of the gutter, and mine are all good, but they are...uh, in the garage right now. But dialed very well within spec.

But now I am interested in the allegation about camber. I believe caster is the last thing they set, and I don't see how increased caster could affect camber and cause cupping. I thgout that usually cam from excessive toe-in. Of course, it's not like I have ever perfromed an alignment, so WTF do I know other than what I read and feel...

 

Did your tech give you the final results for all three settings?

Edit: NVM, it helps to read all the way thru.

 

MIKE! What the heck! I didn't recognize the new avatar. Haven't seen you post for a while.

 

Yeah, its a self portrait...




























































A lot like your is...

 

Nice! awesome. yeah we are def talking about the same thing if you feel it more in crosswinds. I was starting to think that the extra wheel well volume was allowing the wind to blow me around since the 881 install.

 

Naw, it's the caster. Granted, just the lift and having more under under the truck has an effect too. My cap makes crosswind and semi-truck blow-and-suck effect even more noticeable.

 

I love how the truck rails through turns with the 881/90004 combo. If I can get the bump steer to go away ill be so happy.

 

I love it. I'm constantly on the modify path, however price and time have really affected this. I also have the "bump steer" issue. I opted to go with the less tire wear and deal with the bump steer. That's just me though. If I was driving long trips, i would probably opt for better steering, and just rotate the heck out of the tires by doing full removal and swapping sides, as apposed to just front/back swaps.. Just me.. Hope this helps.

Chris.

 

Yeah, I rotate them in cross-pattern myself religiously, so if it does cause more wear, it shouldn't to the point of irregularity.

What is this extra wear you speak of, anyway? A little more edge wear from turning because they are farther forward of the steering axis?

Anyway, if lifting it reduces a degree of caster from stock height, adding that back in after lifting shouldn't cause any more wear than standard height, I would reason.

 

The chef I work with is taking automotive tech classes and Im at his school trying to work out the alignment dealio. They have s hunter engineering digital imaging alignment station. I'm going to see if I can get him or is instructor to put 2.4' of castor in the left and 2.5' in the right.

 

That should be ideal to compensate for road camber.

 

Not trying to thread jack, but I didn't want to start a new thread. My truck wanders all over the road right now. Wind is terrifying to drive in and I am constantly correcting my steering. If I'm getting an alignment, should I get all 4 wheels done or save about 50 bucks and just do the front? I have no lift and run 265/70/16 in winter and 265/75/16 in the summer.

 

265/75/16 is fine. It's the largest you can wear without lifting.

These trucks don't take a 4-wheel alignment. The rear is on leafs, and there is no adjustment. If it is out of whack, you have bigger problems than an alignment shop can correct.

ffirg, do you have steering play/slop, or is it truly wandering? With the cap, you're going to catch wind. Have it aligned, and make sure they get the caster within spec, which is 1.5 to 2.5. You could also have bad toe that is causing this. Also also, are your tires the correct presure, and not overinflated?

Also also also, if all your suspension is still stock, it could just be worn out, and this makes it even more susceptible to crosswinds, etc. Mine used to wallow and sway at highway speeds, and it scared the piss out of me, so I went off on the suspension. To start, if your shocks are original (or leaking), replace them first to see if it helps.

 

My suspension is still all original factory stuff. I'm still at less than 55k miles, though I know they are worn because everything is sagging, lol. But yes there is slop/play in the steering. It does not go straight when I let go of the wheel and the wheel is off center when I'm driving straight. I've never had an alignment before, hence the questions. I was planning on replacing suspension and lifting 2 inches this summer, but with these icy/snowy roads I really don't like getting blown all over the place. Might have to do the lift around Christmas instead, and just get the alignment then.

 

Sounds pretty dangerous for your conditions up there. First, your wheel is not centered, and obvioulsy it doesn't want to go straight. Does it always pull to the same side when it doesn't go straight? I'd get that alignment now for two reasons:

1. It isn't safe the way it is, especially on ice. Safety first.
2. You should know if anything is wrong before you do a lift, because the lift can just add new issues and make it harder to figure out something else that was already a problem.

We're talking like $50. Basic maintenance. I'd do it now. Make sure you get to Christmas, first.

 

Very sound advice!

 

Mine is nice and tight with a nice weight to it imo it's perfect for a steering wheel the only one that I like as much maybe better than the Tacoma's is my Dad's Porsche.

 

The majority of the time it pulls to the right when braking, but at highway speed it wanders left or right. I'll try to make an appointment to get it done next week if my professors/boss give me a break Thanks for the advice, I didn't really think of the lift causing other issues.

I guess I have one last question. Getting an alignment now with my smaller tires on won't cause any issues when I put my slightly larger summer tires back on, will it? I don't think it will, but just wondering.