How hard should it be to steer if there was no malfunction of the power steering system? I can drive one-handedly, including parking & more complicated maneuvers etc, but the effort required is much harder than on my 2005 tundra, to give an approximation. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
99 4Runner - hard to steer
- Thread starter radwulf
- Start date
SOAZ
Tim and Kelsey get lost..
sounds like a similar issue I have. Its been like that for well over 12,000 miles for me, but in typical toyota fashion it never stops working.
I think it may have something to do with the power steering pump because it is by NO means as tough as driving a truck with no power steering, but its NO where near as easy as any of my friends 4runners or tacomas.
Keep us updated if you find the source. :victory:
I think it may have something to do with the power steering pump because it is by NO means as tough as driving a truck with no power steering, but its NO where near as easy as any of my friends 4runners or tacomas.
Keep us updated if you find the source. :victory:
WhereTheHellIsJames?
Explorer
I'd say check your ball joints, but they typically get looser rather than tighter as time goes on. So instead, I'll suggest that you check your steering damper. More than one time I've seen a steering damper (once on a 4Runner and several other times on other cars) with just a very slightly bent shaft that will make the truck just a bit tougher than normal to steer. I'd be especially suspect of the damper if you have a slight returnability issue with your steering- ie, you have to help the wheels a little bit to straighten out after making a turn.
To test out your damper, just remove one side (or heck, remove the whole thing if you like) and feel the action- does it stick at all? If so, you've likely found your culprit. Good luck.
To test out your damper, just remove one side (or heck, remove the whole thing if you like) and feel the action- does it stick at all? If so, you've likely found your culprit. Good luck.
seanz0rz
Adventurer
96+ 4runners do not have steering dampeners, rack and pinion steering (at least in this package) prevents that.
id like to say the pump might be low on fluid? check the dipstick on the reservoir and see if its up to the level it should be. add fluid where necessary (but NEVER power steering fluid. toyota uses ATF for the power steering system.)
id like to say the pump might be low on fluid? check the dipstick on the reservoir and see if its up to the level it should be. add fluid where necessary (but NEVER power steering fluid. toyota uses ATF for the power steering system.)
WhereTheHellIsJames?
Explorer
Doh! Forgot about that! For the last week since I got my '87, I've had 1st-gen on the brain.