Who finds there 150 steering too vague, light & all over the road ?

[jpmoonta Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close jpmoonta]

Hi all
I put it out there I have concerns about the way my 2010 auto diesel 150 steers. Done 70,000 Km.
Soon after I bought the car new I found the steering vague, too light, all over the road, can't relax
driving, don't even think about seeing what radio channel your on. I'm on my second set of tyres,
first duellers A/T now Kuhmo highway tyres, no difference. Numerous wheel alignments & suspension / steering
checks.. I've asked other owners who agree something's not right with this model to the point where it's dangerous.
Any ideas. It really bugs me
Thanks in advance
john

[Toyo Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Toyo]

Personally, i dont think its really that light. Its heavier that a lot of other cars i've owned.
You dont know what is a light steering until you drive an Audi or a Honda . . . You can steer those cars with your pinky finger, no joke!

Anyways, back on topic. The 150 steering DOES feel vague, unconnected and above all inaccurate. I really think the steering is inaccurate, even going in a straight road requires you to do tons of minor adjustments in order to keep going straight, unlike my other cars (Audi and BMW) which are extremely accurate and could go in a straight road forever without a single adjustment.
I dont think its the tires or suspension, it's just that the feeling is so vague, unconnected, artificial that it's hard to "feel" the car.

[Guest Close Guest]

Do you have a lift? A 2" lift tends to limit caster adjustment to not very much which will give the vague feeling.

[fido666 Banned Find all posts View Profile Close fido666]

I have to admit I do find the steering on the 150 to be sloppy compared to the 95 series I had before, even after having it 10 years it was still nice and tight with good feedback to the driver. Yes I have a lift but the steering felt sloppy before that too. I've only ever had ATs on the car so don't know if HTs would make any difference.

[Symo Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Symo]

Check your toe in and alignment, I have the 2014 model which improves this exact problem. The front geometry was changed slightly (maybe just a different alignment spec) and the dampers were changed.

The first 10,000kms I found the steering to be dead straight with no adjustment necessary to follow the road, there was heaps of weight left and right from dead centre, and lots of self centring force could be felt.

When the first service was done, Toyota decided to rotate the tyres and the feeling went to shit. It was vague and the steering wheel was off centre. i put up with it and noticed my front left shoulder wearing fast.

At the 20,000km I told the dealer and they agreed to check it, and found it to be up the shit. Someone stuffed with it then at the 10K service. But now, its back to where it is meant to be. Solid centre feel with strong feedback off centre. Its a joy to steer again.

If the Previous models where vague I'm not sure how you put up with it because the new ones is great.

[jpmoonta Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close jpmoonta]

Hi tojo My feelings as well, I describe the feeling is like you were using a steering wheel connected to a video shown onto the windscreen hence no direct mechanical feel.
john

[jpmoonta Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close jpmoonta]

Hi fido666
My original tyres were duellers A/T now Khumo H/T. The Khumo H/T steer better IMO.

[Rusty62 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Rusty62]

I too believe the 150 steering is too light. Brother has had two 150's and both are the same. Way to light even when in standard trim. I nearly put the thing into the road a bout the first time I drove it, this is compared to the 120 series. Like a lot of things you get used to it.

Rusty.

[chimma Member Find all posts View Profile Close chimma]

Personally, i dont think its really that light. Its heavier that a lot of other cars i've owned.

Anyways, back on topic. The 150 steering DOES feel vague, unconnected. I dont think its the tires or suspension, it's just that the feeling is so vague, unconnected, artificial that it's hard to "feel" the car.

Agree with Toyo. It is the most heaviest I had driven as well.

[Nightrod111 Member Find all posts View Profile Close Nightrod111]

Put wider rims and a more agressive offset. It helped mine alot..
I feel like i have a better feel of the road

[jimmyb Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close jimmyb]

My 150 is definitely much lighter to drive than my previous 120. Have only had the 150 a couple weeks now, but am still not used to it.
I'm hoping that when I install the TD Adjustable lift and tighten everything up it feels a bit nicer on the road

Good to read the feedback above though! I was starting to worry mine was out of the ordinary

Jimmy.

[madmax1982 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close madmax1982]

Mine has light steering until change stock 17" rims and tires to 18" VX oem rims, then feels better, maybe is the profile, wider tires or heavier unsprung weight, who knows...

[Checkers Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Checkers]

If you think the 150 is vague try a Hyundai Terracan. After one of those the 150 will seem like the tightest, most accurate steering 4wd ever!!

[fido666 Banned Find all posts View Profile Close fido666]

If you think the 150 is vague try a Hyundai Terracan.

There not known as the "terror can" for nothing :-)

[madmax1982 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close madmax1982]

Terror can hahaha, few years ago drove a terracan, were six adults, I didnt go past 90km/h felt like was going to loose control, and was almost a new car. The prado with the same people is under control all time.