Steering/Handling Troubles--Need Help!

[Spang]

Here's my setup:

'05 Double Cab, SR5 4WD w/ TRD Off Road, everything stock except I've replaced the BF Goods with Toyo Open Country A/Ts in LT 265/75-16.

The truck generally does light duty with one exception: Once or twice a month, I tow an aluminum two horse slant, usually with one horse (Approx. 3800 lbs.); occasionally with two (approx, 5,000) for 50-100 miles. This is set up with a weight distributing hitch.

I've had the truck for 15months; it's got 18,000 on it.

The truck was running like a dream until about a month ago when, on a highway trip, I noticed some weird handling responses in corners and, after paying attention to it, it was noticeable in general at highway speed. The steering feels very light and "loosey-goosey". The truck seems to want to either plow ahead in turns, or (more frequently) oversteer, with the attendant feeling that the *** end is going to come around. Also, it may be my imagination, but it seems worse in left turns than right. On the straight, it feels light in the front end; a little wind or dips and ruts in the road accentuate this floating feeling.

Based on what I've read, I thought alignment problem, specifically a need for higher caster setting. The light steering, lack of stability, etc. seemed to match that description. I took it in and had the alignment checked (on the Hunter): it was already at the high end of the factory spec for caster (2.7 on my truck); nonetheless, I had the tech step it up to 3.0. This didn't seem to make much, if any, discernible difference. Everything else about the alignment (e.g. tire wear, no pulling, centered wheel, etc) seems right.

This has me freaked, so my next stop is the dealer, but I can already see them rolling their eyes when I show up with a vague "my truck ain't handlin' right" complaint. Any guidance on what to ask them to check would be greatly appreciated.

[Imdone]

Nail down the specifics of what it is doing. ie: catching and tracking a rut, feels like top end sway, unresponsive, understeer, oversteer, etc.

Describing things like this will help them understand what they need to look at.

You can also have one of the techs drive the truck too.


How many miles on the truck?
You may want to look into the Polyurethane steering rack bushings, this should also tighten up the steering.

[basura]

try asking that question in the Towing forum

if it only feels light in the front while towing, could be your
WDH setup. You could get to a scale & check all weights with & without trailer to verify.

[Spang]

No success as of yet. As I expected, the dealer is pretty clueless. They suggested it's tires. (It's not: The trouble began with the stock tires; it's still going strong after replacement with the Toyos.) They (2 different techs) drove the truck, and concluded there's nothing wrong. After driving and towing with the rig for 15 months, I beg to differ.

I've refined the problem with a little more observation and test driving. The truck seems to oversteer and then go into a "drift" where it seems there is a momentary loss of all steering under brisk (but not crazy) cornering. Not every time, but enough to give you some "oh sh**" moments. My wife described it as like being "on a ride at the fair".

This feeling of instability is definitely accentuated when towing, but is also clearly noticeable when unloaded. As far as the towing is concerned, I'm pretty sure my WD hitch setup is OK, having weighed everything out.

I've read that the ball joint issue may not be limited to those units covered in the recall (my truck, being an early '05 isn't subject to the recall) and that some '05 owners have had ball joint problems. Any possibility this could be the issue?

Thanks again for any help offered.

[DevinSixtySeven]

are your steering rack bushings getting worn?

wheel bearings/hubs in good condition?

tie rod ends, steering rack ends in good shape, no float?

is the steering rack going foul internally perhaps?