New 2004 With Some Issues - Wandering and Bump Steer

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hkeller

hkeller

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Jan 12, 2004
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Central Virginia
Have a new 2004 LX 470. 67,000 miles Previous owner had it dealer maintained.

I am still sorting out an oil pressure issue and another involving the nav system.

The biggest issues is one of drivability. It can be hell to keep this thing in the lane. I am constantly correcting from side to side with the steering wheel to keep it straight. There is a bunch of bump steer. And, if the right front wheel gets in a rut, the LX is going that way unless I crank had to the left on the steering wheel.

Our 2000 is nothing like this.

Thoughts? I have searched.
 
Jack up one wheel (under lower control arm) and check for play. My guess is you will find play rocking the tire at the 9 and 3 position. Look at all suspension/steering - specifically tie rod ends. Also look at steering rack mount, and steering rack play. If the rack moves, bushings need to be replaced. On my 99 - tie rod ends plus replacing D ring bushing on the steering rack with polyurethane took out about 3/4" of slop. Next culprit would be the ball joints (pry suspended tire up and look for ball joint play).

If everything is tight, check your alignment.
 
Further searching found my answer. The key word to search is "wandering." There are many threads with folks having similar issues to mine. Sorry for the duplicate thread.
 
Toe is going to be the biggest factor with straight line stability. Toe also can wear out the outer or inner edge of the tire. How is the tread depth on the outer vs inner tread depth? Castor also plays a roll in this. Most alignment shops do not touch camber or castor, they just adjust the toe and call it a day. A worn steering rack will also produce wandering, but that is only under hard acceleration, TRE's that are worn can play a large roll as well.

I would start by checking the degree of the toe. Then move to tie rod ends, then have the rack inspected. The "D" Bushing holds the entire passenger side of the rack down, if that is worn or cracked, the rack can shift.

Here is a quick video of a worn out "D" bushing on the rack and how much it moves.

 
It's strange that you asked that. Yes, every lifted 100 I've driven has pulled slightly passenger. I'm not sure if it's the way the steering rack sits in the frame, or just nature of the beast. Some have been minimal, some drastic.

No, a proper alignment and poly bushings has eliminated most, if not all if the pull. However I still have a slight pull after countless alignments and 5 steering racks.

Your tires will show any alignment issue after some time. Inspecting the rack bushings will also rule out any steering issues.
 
X2 what 2000 speaketh,

I'm drifting just a tad bit to the right and my bushings are worn and will be replaced soon.(assuming that vendor actually responds).
 
My 100 series truck has also pulled to the right under acceleration for the last couple of years. I have an approx 2.5 lift, total chaos UCA's, and the rake front to rear was set up properly- I had it aligned several times, with no satisfaction. As part of a major front and rear end service to install 4.88's this last week, I had the three bushings replaced in the steering rack with poly, and the wheel bearings cleaned, greased and tightened back up, and new rotors, caliper hardware and pads installed. All of the pull is now gone, and even when I get on it (supercharged) it is not pulling to the side anymore. I think the poly bushings and retightened wheel bearings solved my issue.
 
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