How should a UZJ100 drive?

[CruiserPek]

Its okay to give out but dont give up!

My thoughts are as follows:

First you need a front end shop to check....

Upper and lower ball joints.
Tie rod ends
Too much air pressure in tires
Sway bar end links - front and rear
Front bearings
Too little rake
Uneven wear on tires

Mine tracks excellent but i have the original steering rack and ball joints and am about to cross the 200k mark with factory sized michelins. Not sure why i added that but the lf can drive perfect on the interstate if your underlying issue is identified and repaired.

Once I get settled after the move I'll find a shop. Thing is, I asked Toyota and Lexus to look at all of those things. I was doing my brakes last weekend and noticed that the sway bar bushings in the front are bad. How could they not see this?! I'm used to dealerships finding every little thing so they can sell allllllll the repairs and make $$$.

 

[CruiserPek]

When they replaced the front axles would they have seen the condition of the bearings?

 

[DuckLN]

My experience with bearings is put the truck on a lift and grab the tire and wiggle to see if you feel any slack.

Surely the dealership would have noticed slack and they may have repacked your bearings while they were in there.

 

[Cruisera100]

I'm going to try another LC100, Asp. I don't think Toyota ever would let anything like this out on the road , and I don't see any reason why it shoulden't be able to handle like new. I've had mine for 10 years now (2000 mod , 150 000 miles) , and never had any other problems (well few small ones !). Takes the Family everywhere , even in the ditch ! But they don't want anything else. CruiserPek do you have AHC ?

 

[Cruisera100]

One thing that did improve things alot was replacing the front UCA. A lot of rubber on these bushings . So I replaced them all . But it dosen't seem to be a common problem, and everything I took off l@@ked ok. Right now she is tight as ever, but is soooo Heavy on the Wheel when making small corrections at highway speeds. I better get down to Toyota and demand a new alignment

 

[CruiserPek]

I'm going to try another LC100, Asp. I don't think Toyota ever would let anything like this out on the road , and I don't see any reason why it shoulden't be able to handle like new. I've had mine for 10 years now (2000 mod , 150 000 miles) , and never had any other problems (well few small ones !). Takes the Family everywhere , even in the ditch ! But they don't want anything else. CruiserPek do you have AHC ?

. I say that to myself every time I get on the highway...there is no way Toyota would sell a $53k SUV and it drive this way.

I don't have AHC.

 

[Dwight S]

Go ahead and adjust the torsion bars back down to give it the rake back and give it a test drive. If you find it is sorted out or at least showing improvements then go for a new alignment.

 

[erse]

Are you moving anywhere close to a dedicated landcruiser shop? Sounds like you could use some expert eyes on it that you are definitely not going to get at the stealership

 

[ton504]

When they replaced the front axles would they have seen the condition of the bearings?

Not actually seeing it but may be able to feel that its loose if they were paying attention.

Can you clarify if the vehicle is pulling or the steering wheel is just off centered?

As a Lexus tech Ive seen with customer saying the vehicle pulls but the steering was just off centered and veers left/right when they center the steering wheel. Pulling means drifting left/right when the steering wheel is let go when the roads are smooth and straight.

 

[CruiserPek]

Are you moving anywhere close to a dedicated landcruiser shop? Sounds like you could use some expert eyes on it that you are definitely not going to get at the stealership

Moving down to Tucson. Not sure if there is one there.

 

[CruiserPek]

Not actually seeing it but may be able to feel that its loose if they were paying attention.

Can you clarify if the vehicle is pulling or the steering wheel is just off centered?

As a Lexus tech Ive seen with customer saying the vehicle pulls but the steering was just off centered and veers left/right when they center the steering wheel. Pulling means drifting left/right when the steering wheel is let go when the roads are smooth and straight.

I have asked both Toyota and Lexus to center the steering wheel. When I center the wheel in goes right pretty hard.

 

[CruiserPek]

So, I'm taking my LC back to Lexus on Saturday morning to meet with the service manager! Hopefully I can get some answers!

 

[bucfl]

Why not ask the dealer to call Toyota and ask them?

 

[ton504]

I have asked both Toyota and Lexus to center the steering wheel. When I center the wheel in goes right pretty hard.

You sound like one of those customers...
So you are inducing the "pull" by centering the wheel? If so tell them to center it. If they can't, you inner tie rods might be toast.

 

[CruiserPek]

You sound like one of those customers...
So you are inducing the "pull" by centering the wheel? If so tell them to center it. If they can't, you inner tie rods might be toast.

It has been "centered" four times. Twice at Toyota and twice at Lexus.

 

[ton504]

It has been "centered" four times. Twice at Toyota and twice at Lexus.

So initially when you centered it, it goes left. Then I'm assuming they center it again, now it goes right?

I would check for play in the front end. I would look for movement in the inner tie rods and possibly the steering rack bushings.

 

[CruiserPek]

So initially when you centered it, it goes left. Then I'm assuming they center it again, now it goes right?

I would check for play in the front end. I would look for movement in the inner tie rods and possibly the steering rack bushings.

Yep, it was going left when this all started. It has a brand new steering rack. Hope the bushings lasted more than 3 weeks lol