Is this normal
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Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2010
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Is this normal
I have a 2004 ex with an 8" all spring lift and 37x13.5 Toyo's on it. It was bad about wandering and I thought it was the steering box. I tightened the box and removed the play. Everything in the steering is tight. There is no slop at all in the steering but driving on the interstate requires constant steering correction. It feels if you look away for a second you may end up in a different lane. There are sway bars front and rear with the correct links. I had someond turn the steering back and forth while I watched and I could see no slop anywhere. I have also tried different tire pressures all the way to 65psi but I can't get rid of the wandering. The whole truck feels kind of marshmellowee if that makes any sense. Is this just the norm for a lifted Ex?
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2007
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From: Nova Scotia
I've had great success with camber /caster shims... you likely have one of the trucks with a small degree of caster from the factory... the alignment spec is huge and so a caster reading of 1.5 degrees won't show as bad. The spec goes up to 5 or 5.5 degrees iirc and the shims will increase your number up at least 2 degrees from where it is now.
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2007
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From: Nova Scotia
Aftermarket... they are the only way you can adjust your caster. Your alignment shop will be able to get them for you.
There are two types. The non adjustable ones which come in different degree increments and the adjustable, that are able to be set to varying caster angles while keeping the camber settings in spec. They install in the upper balljoint location...
There are two types. The non adjustable ones which come in different degree increments and the adjustable, that are able to be set to varying caster angles while keeping the camber settings in spec. They install in the upper balljoint location...
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Well I took my truck to an alignment shop. They had the bushing in stock. I told him to install the bushings and set the caster as far positive as he could. He came back and told me it was set at 4.6 on one side and 4.8 on the other and he also said the camber was good so he was not going to adjust anything. He did point out that the steering was tight and with the engine off and the front end off the ground it was very hard to turn. He said that was my wondering issue. If there is no slop in the steering and I am going down the road with the steering wheel straight, how can the steering box cause wandering if there is no slop? He said it was tight because it is wore out and someone tightened it to remove the play. I understand that but if and movement to the steering wheel results in the tires moving, how can they move if the wheel is straight? What do you think?
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Elder User
Joined: Jun 2002
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From: Woodbridge NJ
I had the same thing goin on with my truck when I put the lift on.....damn even before the lift.
My fix was all new ball joints and a dual steering stabilizer and trip to the local 4x4 alignment shop.
My fix was all new ball joints and a dual steering stabilizer and trip to the local 4x4 alignment shop.
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Elder User
Joined: Oct 2007
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From: Nova Scotia
Well, looks like your caster is set real good from the factory....
... nice to hear you've got an honest shop that didn't just try to sell you parts you didn't need.
If your box is too tight then you aren't allowing the positive caster to have it's designed effect, which is to naturally bring the steering back to center. Back the adjusting screw off a 1/4 trun to see if that improves things... ultimately you may be looking at a new box in your future. Redhead has the best rebuilt boxes... they replace bushing with bearings and restore the boxes back to better than new condition.
If you're ever considering hydro-assist in the future, West Texas Offroad also rebuilds boxes and taps them for running a hydraulic cylinder. While they don't rebuild them to the same specs as Redhead, they are still well built.
... nice to hear you've got an honest shop that didn't just try to sell you parts you didn't need.If your box is too tight then you aren't allowing the positive caster to have it's designed effect, which is to naturally bring the steering back to center. Back the adjusting screw off a 1/4 trun to see if that improves things... ultimately you may be looking at a new box in your future. Redhead has the best rebuilt boxes... they replace bushing with bearings and restore the boxes back to better than new condition.
If you're ever considering hydro-assist in the future, West Texas Offroad also rebuilds boxes and taps them for running a hydraulic cylinder. While they don't rebuild them to the same specs as Redhead, they are still well built.
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