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2018 TRD Pro "squirrely steering"

Discussion in '5th Gen 4Runners (2010-2024)' started by mdsurf, Aug 14, 2019.

  1. Aug 14, 2019 at 10:24 AM
    #1
    mdsurf

    mdsurf [OP] New Member

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    I have searched for solutions to my "squirrely steering" problem. What I found was to have it re aligned setting the caster as close to 4 while keeping everything else in spec. Well I did and they were able to get the caster to 3 and it was steering much better until the dealer at my 10,000 mile maintenance rotated the tires. Now, its worse than it was in the beginning also pulling to the right now. Any suggestions welcomed. This is an expensive vehicle to handle/steer this bad. Thanks in advance!
     
  2. Aug 14, 2019 at 10:48 AM
    #2
    Trident904

    Trident904 Freelance Mammographer

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    Brian
    Treasure Coast, FL
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    22 TRD Offroad Premium
    King 2.5 with resis, C4 Hybrid Front, TC Uppers, Victory Rack, Smitty 12k winch, 17x9 -38 SCS F5’s with 295/70 Ridge Graps
    Narrow track width and shitty tires from the factory don't help. I widened my track with a set of SCS F5's 17x9 with 3.5BS and 275/70 AT's and my caster is at +3 with JBA uppers and ADS coilovers and front swaybar removed. No more issues.
     
    4buggy and Barcelona Trail like this.
  3. Aug 14, 2019 at 12:11 PM
    #3
    Barcelona Trail

    Barcelona Trail New Member

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    Colorado in Winter - SoCal in Summer
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    Bilstein 6112 & 5100 - Built Right UCAs - AFE Intake, TBS, & Exhaust - Pedal Cmndr - Icon Rebound - 285 BFG KO2
    How are those JBAs treating you matched with the 275s?
     
  4. Aug 14, 2019 at 12:25 PM
    #4
    WallyT4R

    WallyT4R New Member

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    That's sounds like an alignment problem to me. Also should probably rotate the tires every 5000 miles unless I am misreading your post. I did have a little more wandering stock before I lifted mine and put on some JBA upper control arms. The caster is right at 4 now and it definitely drives better.
     
  5. Aug 14, 2019 at 12:31 PM
    #5
    Trident904

    Trident904 Freelance Mammographer

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    Brian
    Treasure Coast, FL
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    22 TRD Offroad Premium
    King 2.5 with resis, C4 Hybrid Front, TC Uppers, Victory Rack, Smitty 12k winch, 17x9 -38 SCS F5’s with 295/70 Ridge Graps
    Love it. Going to upgrade to 285’s or 295’s soon though.
     
  6. Aug 14, 2019 at 12:33 PM
    #6
    j cat

    j cat New Member

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    spacer lift front 1inch
    I had a wander problem on my 2016.. the front springs take a set.. front drops.. so the toes goes OFF.. tires pointed out , not in.. so I adjusted the toe in and problem solved.. if you have a drift problem take hands off steering wheel on flat road and vehicle goes left/right than the camber is also off..

    the toe was also causing the runner steering wheel not in the exact center when going down a flat road.. hands off wheel no drift .. so that is why I only had a toe alignment issue because of the front springs.. the pass side spring drops more than the driver side weaker spring pass side.
     
    WallyT4R likes this.
  7. Aug 14, 2019 at 2:49 PM
    #7
    mdsurf

    mdsurf [OP] New Member

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    Thanks Trident. I had a Tundra with a 6 inch lift and 35's, awesome vehicle except for the gas mileage and roughness of the ride in town. Yeah it seems like these trucks have a narrow stance. could you widen the stance with spacers? I'm considering the Toytec 2.5 lift kit for the TRD PRO and going with a 33 x 11.5 tire. In the meantime I may take it back to the alignment shop.
     
  8. Aug 14, 2019 at 2:53 PM
    #8
    Trident904

    Trident904 Freelance Mammographer

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    22 TRD Offroad Premium
    King 2.5 with resis, C4 Hybrid Front, TC Uppers, Victory Rack, Smitty 12k winch, 17x9 -38 SCS F5’s with 295/70 Ridge Graps
    You could, however, running a larger tire on the pro wheel created a whole different ball of balancing fun. I had the pro wheels and 1.25” spacers and sold them. I’m just not a fan of wheel spacers.
     
  9. Aug 14, 2019 at 4:35 PM
    #9
    mdsurf

    mdsurf [OP] New Member

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    Again thanks!
    So, maybe different wheels with a more positive offset?
     
    Trident904 likes this.
  10. Aug 14, 2019 at 4:36 PM
    #10
    Trident904

    Trident904 Freelance Mammographer

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    Brian
    Treasure Coast, FL
    Vehicle:
    22 TRD Offroad Premium
    King 2.5 with resis, C4 Hybrid Front, TC Uppers, Victory Rack, Smitty 12k winch, 17x9 -38 SCS F5’s with 295/70 Ridge Graps
    No worries. The more backspace the better, wider track = better stability.
     
  11. Aug 15, 2019 at 6:35 AM
    #11
    j cat

    j cat New Member

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    spacer lift front 1inch
    your issue is the springs took a set so get an alignment .. crawl under the front end and check for any damage prior to the shop work then before you leave the shop crawl under and check that they did some damage .. boot rubber damage common sloppy workers..

    I would not buy new tires a total waste of $$$.. also tires can cause improper balancing vibration issues. tires still good , run them down , then get new.. you have fat wallet no problem ..
     
    WallyT4R and 2016Pro like this.

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