Vague Steering

[dhough]

Hey Everyone,

Interested to get some experienced members thoughts here. My 2002 Landcruiser (210k miles) has become increasingly more difficult to handle on the highway. Likes to pull to the drivers side, wanders a bit, and is becoming more “vague” handling wise and less “tight.” Need to pay more attention than I’d like to keep it tracking straight. Jacked up the front and did the 3-9 and 12-6 wiggle tests. See video below. Are these within specs? You can hear a faint clunk during the 12-6 test and there’s a limited amount of play side to side, but not sure if this is the cause of my issue. Everything checks out visually, so no obvious culprit. Appreciate any and all thoughts!

 

[leveeguy]

First question would prob be when was the last time the wheel bearings were serviced and by who if they have been serviced recently. If you recently had front rotors replaced this could also help determine cause as that could lend to wheel bearing issues when that service is performed by someone not familiar with this wheel bearing setup.

 

[Jack90210]

The "vague steering" thing is often an accumulation of wear throughout multiple systems: control arm bushings, steering rack wear, worn mounts, bearings etc.

That being said, I found that replacing worn rear control arms (worn bushings) helped noticeably with the vehicle tracking straight down the road. The uppers wear out faster than the lowers, from what I've seen.

 

[excessive]

get a big( like 36") pry bar out and check all your front end bushings for play

 

[Dirt J]

If you want to load up the parts cannon, here's every steering-related moving part I can think of between the steering wheel and front wheels. Wear/play in any of these will contribute to wandering/vague steering. A new rack helped the most for me. It got to where the truck required constant course correction. At 210k, its not unexpected for steering components to start needing replacement due to wear.

• Upper steering linkage
• Lower steering linkage
• Steering Rack
  • Steering Rack bushings
• Inner Tie Rods
• Outer Tie Rods
• Upper ball joints
• Lower ball joints
• Upper control arm bushings
• Lower control arm bushings

Worn tires can contribute to wandering too.

Here's a video regarding what @excessive mentioned but specifically for the ball joints.

 

[Live to Ski]

also check your caster. Take the fsm caster adjust section when you go to the alignment shop as most shops don't understand lc alignment adjustments.

 

[Jack90210]

If you want to load up the parts cannon, here's every steering-related moving part I can think of between the steering wheel and front wheels. Wear/play in any of these will contribute to wandering/vague steering. A new rack helped the most for me. It got to where the truck required constant course correction. At 210k, its not unexpected for steering components to start needing replacement due to wear.

• Upper steering linkage
• Lower steering linkage
• Steering Rack
  • Steering Rack bushings
• Inner Tie Rods
• Outer Tie Rods
• Upper ball joints
• Lower ball joints
• Upper control arm bushings
• Lower control arm bushings

Worn tires can contribute to wandering too.

Here's a video regarding what @excessive mentioned but specifically for the ball joints.

Can confirm. The first drive in a Hundy with a new rack and you'll be surprised at how much stiffer/tighter the wheel is.