Hey guys, I recently purchased a 1998 4runner SR5 3.4 4x4 to replace my 1994 Land Cruiser (better gas mileage, lower miles, cheaper price!!)
Any way, the truck is in GREAT shape, just 150,000 on her, New Tires, runs strong, Timing belt and water pump DONE, clean interior, etc....
I got it for a great price knowing id need to fix a few little things.
I need new front Brake Rotors, New Shocks, and the problem at hand, I need to fix the steering.
The 4runner has a bit of play in the steering, and a slight pop when you move the steering wheel back and forth. On braking, I have a pretty good wobble, partially because the brake rotors are warped, and obviously, partially because I either have a bad Inner Tie Rod, or a bad Steering rack. The truck tracks straight, and drives good, just feels a little unsettled on the highway. The front shocks are blown all to hell..
Now I have been doing some reading to aid in my diagnosis, and this is what I know about my truck so far:
1. The Bushings that hold the rack to the truck are tired, I can see deflection when I move the wheel back and forth on the big bushing that wraps around the rack and pinion on the passenger side. Obviously, that's not a big deal, I can get a Bushing Kit for about $25.00 bucks, Poly or Rubber. What do you guys prefer? Poly bushings or OEM Rubber bushings? Raybestos makes a kit for $25.00 but Ihave seen tons of others as well. What is everyone's favorite?
2. The Outer Tie Rod Ends are brand new on both sides.
3. The Tires are Brand new Goodyear Tracker 2 265/70/16 All terrains and are properly balanced. Brand spanking new.. blue lettering and all....
4. WHen I lift the truck up and try to move the passenger side wheel back and forth, I don't feel any play, leading me to believe the Inner tie rod on the side doesn't have any issues.
5. When I do the same thing on the driver side, that is where I feel the clunk/pop/play. NOW, I cant tell whether it is the Inner Tie Rod, or whether it is that Bearing(I think it's a roller bearing), or whatever it is where you have the adjustment on the racks that I have seen in write-ups. I had found a good write up on Ih8mud I believe but my computer died and I lost it and for some reason cant seem to find it. ANYWAY, when I have someone move the wheel back and forth, and I pull the ITRE boot back, I can see the rod having play, and actually not only moving in and out, but up and down. Now, could this be adjustment with that big adjustment bolt? Or could it be the inner rod end? OR is do I need a full steering rack? My mechanic seemed to think I would probably need a rack. Video of this below.
6. My steering rack does NOT LEAK. I don't have any fluid in the boots, etc....
7. My front shocks are blown all to hell, so I am ordering KYB MonoMax Heavy duty Shocks for the Front and Rear. $220.00 from Amazon.
8. My Rotors are so warped that I would imagine they are throwing it a little off balance, but that fix is obviously no big deal
Ok, so I will be getting Rotors, Pads and Shocks obviously.
Now for the steering I already KNOW I need:
1. Steering Rack Bushings
2. PROBABLY new Inner Tie Rods (ill do both while im at it.)
What I am trying to figure out is if this play can be adjusted out, or if I need to buy a new assembly for that adjustment nut, or if I need to just buy a whole new rack.
Here is the video.
Any help is appreciated, I'm ready to order parts and get this thing fixed. Like I said the tires are brand new, so I want to make sure I don't destroy them
Thanks Guys,
Brian.
Any way, the truck is in GREAT shape, just 150,000 on her, New Tires, runs strong, Timing belt and water pump DONE, clean interior, etc....
I got it for a great price knowing id need to fix a few little things.
I need new front Brake Rotors, New Shocks, and the problem at hand, I need to fix the steering.
The 4runner has a bit of play in the steering, and a slight pop when you move the steering wheel back and forth. On braking, I have a pretty good wobble, partially because the brake rotors are warped, and obviously, partially because I either have a bad Inner Tie Rod, or a bad Steering rack. The truck tracks straight, and drives good, just feels a little unsettled on the highway. The front shocks are blown all to hell..
Now I have been doing some reading to aid in my diagnosis, and this is what I know about my truck so far:
1. The Bushings that hold the rack to the truck are tired, I can see deflection when I move the wheel back and forth on the big bushing that wraps around the rack and pinion on the passenger side. Obviously, that's not a big deal, I can get a Bushing Kit for about $25.00 bucks, Poly or Rubber. What do you guys prefer? Poly bushings or OEM Rubber bushings? Raybestos makes a kit for $25.00 but Ihave seen tons of others as well. What is everyone's favorite?
2. The Outer Tie Rod Ends are brand new on both sides.
3. The Tires are Brand new Goodyear Tracker 2 265/70/16 All terrains and are properly balanced. Brand spanking new.. blue lettering and all....
4. WHen I lift the truck up and try to move the passenger side wheel back and forth, I don't feel any play, leading me to believe the Inner tie rod on the side doesn't have any issues.
5. When I do the same thing on the driver side, that is where I feel the clunk/pop/play. NOW, I cant tell whether it is the Inner Tie Rod, or whether it is that Bearing(I think it's a roller bearing), or whatever it is where you have the adjustment on the racks that I have seen in write-ups. I had found a good write up on Ih8mud I believe but my computer died and I lost it and for some reason cant seem to find it. ANYWAY, when I have someone move the wheel back and forth, and I pull the ITRE boot back, I can see the rod having play, and actually not only moving in and out, but up and down. Now, could this be adjustment with that big adjustment bolt? Or could it be the inner rod end? OR is do I need a full steering rack? My mechanic seemed to think I would probably need a rack. Video of this below.
6. My steering rack does NOT LEAK. I don't have any fluid in the boots, etc....
7. My front shocks are blown all to hell, so I am ordering KYB MonoMax Heavy duty Shocks for the Front and Rear. $220.00 from Amazon.
8. My Rotors are so warped that I would imagine they are throwing it a little off balance, but that fix is obviously no big deal
Ok, so I will be getting Rotors, Pads and Shocks obviously.
Now for the steering I already KNOW I need:
1. Steering Rack Bushings
2. PROBABLY new Inner Tie Rods (ill do both while im at it.)
What I am trying to figure out is if this play can be adjusted out, or if I need to buy a new assembly for that adjustment nut, or if I need to just buy a whole new rack.
Here is the video.
Any help is appreciated, I'm ready to order parts and get this thing fixed. Like I said the tires are brand new, so I want to make sure I don't destroy them
Thanks Guys,
Brian.
