Light steering feel

[rosco5 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close rosco5]

Hi All, looking for some Prado Point wisdom please.
I have recently upgraded from my 120 after 9 years to a 3 year old 2012 150 series.

I am finding that the steering is ridiculously light and very touchy compared to the old model. Having searched around it seems that this was a common complaint and that later models had this fixed due to customers feedback.

So for those with the earlier model what are my options here to change the steering feel. Interesting I notice that new model Hyundai Santa Fe that my mate has, has a dashboard setting that allows you to set this yourself which is kind of cool.

I understand that it is electrical steering if I am correct. I have found a non Prado related article about adding resistors to the circuits to change the feel.

But is this right for Prado? Is there another way?.

Basically I just want to make it a bit heavier to generate more steering feel.

Any experts out there who can offer some insight?

Thanks

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

I found my 150 steering felt vague & "floatie" with the standard Dunlop tyres. Changing to the BFG's made a vast improvement to steering & stability of the vehicle.

[ozimacca Member Find all posts View Profile Close ozimacca]

When I picked up my new 2015 one it was floating around, I discovered they had put 48lb pressure in the tyres. As the max pressure is 51 I have no idea why they would put 48 in for an unloaded Prado.

I dropped them down in stages and I am now at 37 for highway which gives a much better ride and feel so I would suggest you try different tyre pressures first, cheap and easy

[rosco5 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close rosco5]

I currently run Bridgestone Dueler AT's. Had them previously on my 120 and never had an issue like this.

Tyres run at 38PSI so I really don't think this is a tyre thing. I don;t want to go any lower as previous Prado's tend to scrub out the tyre quickly when they are below this pressure.

I have heard that Toyota made a change mid-model cycle on the steering for the 150's to fix this but not sure exactly what that change was.

[sweetpea Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close sweetpea]

I currently run Bridgestone Dueler AT's. Had them previously on my 120 and never had an issue like this.

Tyres run at 38PSI so I really don't think this is a tyre thing. I don;t want to go any lower as previous Prado's tend to scrub out the tyre quickly when they are below this pressure.

I have heard that Toyota made a change mid-model cycle on the steering for the 150's to fix this but not sure exactly what that change was.

My first 4WD was a BJ73 Landcruiser Mid wheel base that was purchased second hand with great big Duelers that made it look macho and aggressive.

Being a novice I joined the LandCruiser Club and all the experts at the club said I needed to run 42 psi around the city and 48 psi in the country.

It was uncomfortably and almost uncontrollable.

In the end I went to Bridgestone in West Melbourne and their expert dragged out the big book and said for the weight of the vehicle these tyres were too big. He extrapolated the graph down to match the axle weight of the BJ73 and suggested that 20 psi would be more appropriate.

It was amazing the difference it made.

I'd suggest that you find out what your vehicle actually weighs and then ask Bridgestone what your pressures should be. If the correct pressure doesn't fix the problem you could try a wheel alignment.

I drive a 2009 150 SX three door with only a dual battery. With the standard tyres at the recommended pressures or up to 2psi higher I find that the ride is very comfortable and it does not exhibit any of the symptoms you mentioned and I have seen no sign of tyre scrubbing.

S.

[Corigator Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Corigator]

At 20psi you will feel very comfortable, but you will find that the tyres will wear out the edges very quickly. - Just what your Bridgestone rep would love. You will be back for some new ones pretty soon.

Its always a trade off comfort and grip vs longevity. For me 40psi on the highway, 38 in the country, 25 off road, 15 in the sand (just a rough guide)

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

While i do think the Prado 150 steering feels numb and vague, i do not really think its light. I have a MY2015 Prado VX and the steering weight is actually pretty good. Not too light nor too heavy.
If you want to feel a really light steering, go test drive a Honda or an Audi. They have the lightest steering on the whole milky way. I can turn those things without much effort with my pinkie finger!

[Guest Close Guest]

If it is touchy and light, then there is not enough caster dialled in.

[kenny5000 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close kenny5000]

My first 4WD was a BJ73 Landcruiser Mid wheel base that was purchased second hand with great big Duelers that made it look macho and aggressive.

Being a novice I joined the LandCruiser Club and all the experts at the club said I needed to run 42 psi around the city and 48 psi in the country.

It was uncomfortably and almost uncontrollable.

In the end I went to Bridgestone in West Melbourne and their expert dragged out the big book and said for the weight of the vehicle these tyres were too big. He extrapolated the graph down to match the axle weight of the BJ73 and suggested that 20 psi would be more appropriate.

It was amazing the difference it made.

I'd suggest that you find out what your vehicle actually weighs and then ask Bridgestone what your pressures should be. If the correct pressure doesn't fix the problem you could try a wheel alignment.

I drive a 2009 150 SX three door with only a dual battery. With the standard tyres at the recommended pressures or up to 2psi higher I find that the ride is very comfortable and it does not exhibit any of the symptoms you mentioned and I have seen no sign of tyre scrubbing.

S.

While 20 psi is great in the appropriate conditions off road, 20 psi will destroy your tyres on black top!!

[sweetpea Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close sweetpea]

At 20psi you will feel very comfortable, but you will find that the tyres will wear out the edges very quickly. - Just what your Bridgestone rep would love. You will be back for some new ones pretty soon.

Its always a trade off comfort and grip vs longevity. For me 40psi on the highway, 38 in the country, 25 off road, 15 in the sand (just a rough guide)

I think you misunderstood what I was trying to say.

I was NOT suggesting you run 20 PSI in the Prado 150.

I was saying that the tyre manufacturers know what pressure their tyres should have for a particular load. The tyres I had on my BJ73 were too big for that vehicle and the load vs pressure graph did not go down far enough.

I didn't keep the BJ73 long enough to see what happened to the tyres in the long run as you can't get a new baby into the back of a two door Landcruiser.

40 PSI in my Prado at highway speed makes the steering too light and vague to be comfortable for any length of time.

YMMV

S

[Jacket Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Jacket]

I tend to agree with the OP. Our 2013 has a similar on road driving experience, and I'd describe the steering as "light" as well. Particularly if you are making a higher speed turn (such as on a mountain highway winding around curves at 80km+). My tires are a comfortable 37 psi, but I like the idea of checking caster. Mine is stock height but there could be some room to add/adjust for more. You guys with lifts might be suffering a bit from lower caster numbers.

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

Good point re caster adjustment. I forgot the fact that I also had a suspension shop do a wheel alignment straight after I changed the tyres.