Steering vague

[alexvk2 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close alexvk2]

I have a 2014 D4D with TJM bar & winch (Dyema) Bilstein/King suspension mod with 2" lift - Poly Air Bags and BFG AT's 12000k on the clock. Steering and ride seemed great on Cape trip but noticed a bit of vagueness/wandering in the steering on the way back particularly on freeway conditions which I didn't notice on the way up-- Toyota service agent said nothing wrong- all caused by the AT tyres. Does any one have experience with this problem? thanks for any suggestions.
PS did not do any damage on the Cape trip.

[AJ120 Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close AJ120]

Could be front shocks, that's what mine was like as they neared the end of their life, new shocks and it was a whole different driving experience.

Cheers Andrew

[AussieAndy Find all posts View Profile Close AussieAndy]

Also possibly wheel alignment, a cape trip could knock it out of whack. The first thing I would get checked is the alignment if you haven't already

[alexvk2 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close alexvk2]

Also possibly wheel alignment, a cape trip could knock it out of whack. The first thing I would get checked is the alignment if you haven't already

I thought that would have been the first thing Toyota would have done.. Bilstein shocks should be good with only 10000 K on them.
I'd like to take it to a local suspension specialist in Hornsby area.. Not sure who would be best... Unfortunately the mod was done in Toowoomba... a bit out of the way!

[fido666 Banned Find all posts View Profile Close fido666]

I thought that would have been the first thing Toyota would have done.

I don't know that many (if any) dealers would have wheel alignment facilities on-site. When mine needed doing they sent me to an outside tyre joint at their expense.

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

alexvk2,

As Fido stated, Toyota do not do that.

Pick your own, should be a few up your way, but pick someone that is recommended if possible, not just any old store.

I took my 80 series Cruiser to Pro-axle for years, they always did an excellent job, however, after I had the suspension upgraded on the Prado (TJM bar - no winch - TJM gold suspension, Poly bags), I took it a Pro-axle store near me in southern Sydney (as the other store had moved some distance from me), but the new store told me they were unable to align the Prado for some simple reason (cannot remember now)

Ended up taking it back to Jax tyres, where I purchased the new tyres after the suspension change, and they did the alignment, no problems since that was done in 2011.

[AussieAndy Find all posts View Profile Close AussieAndy]

Really, a dealer that couldn't do a wheel alignment???

I guess things are a bit different down that way.

I doubt the dealer would have checked the wheel alignment though, even if they did have the gear to do one. I recomend checking the wheel alignment after any of those sorts of trips, tyres are just too expensive to chop out.

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

I've noticed that my wheel alignment can be out after a weekend of off road driving.


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

Really, a dealer that couldn't do a wheel alignment???

I guess things are a bit different down that way.

They might organise one somewhere, but then they charge you for the time to take it there, waiting time for the process, and return time, plus the cost of the alignment.

I would prefer to take it to someone of my choice.

[alexvk2 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close alexvk2]

I dont know if they could do it but the "expert" that works in the office said it was the AT tyres and I should put the OEM tyres on and it would be OK ---I suggested that the Prado was sold as an off road capable vehicle & road tyres are not up to it-- needless to say that did not inspire any confidence so I didnt push it and decided to pursue other avenues -- am taking it to the tyre specialist for an alignment on Friday.
thanks for advice

[Ian Reid Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Ian Reid]

Steering vague

i have had this problem on my 90 series with a cheap brand of AT tyres. The side walls weakened and after about 20000km it was like driving on tram tracks with half flat tyres. Replaced with D697's and problem disappeared
I wouldnt expect it from a fairly new set of BFG's but possibly running at low pressure to the cape weakened the side walls. If alignment doesn't help maybe borrow a set of wheels ( with tyres) just to eliminate the tyres.



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[AussieAndy Find all posts View Profile Close AussieAndy]

They might organise one somewhere, but then they charge you for the time to take it there, waiting time for the process, and return time, plus the cost of the alignment.

I would prefer to take it to someone of my choice.

That might be the case down your way, but I can assure you the local toyota dealers (yes, the 3 closest dealers) all have wheels alignment machines on dedicated 4 post hoists. I can guarantee this as I have friends that either have or do work at them. They are bigger dealers though, with multiple manufacturers, so that may be the difference.

[alexvk2 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close alexvk2]

i have had this problem on my 90 series with a cheap brand of AT tyres. The side walls weakened and after about 20000km it was like driving on tram tracks with half flat tyres. Replaced with D697's and problem disappeared
I wouldnt expect it from a fairly new set of BFG's but possibly running at low pressure to the cape weakened the side walls. If alignment doesn't help maybe borrow a set of wheels ( with tyres) just to eliminate the tyres.



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thanks for the tip -the Cape did involve quite a bit of low tyre pressure driving so I'll look at this possibility if the wheel alignment doesn't help

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

What tyres are you running?
A tyre without a solid centre rib can often give a slow or vague feeling on changes of direction or cornering.

Regards, Jason.

[alexvk2 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close alexvk2]

What tyres are you running?
A tyre without a solid centre rib can often give a slow or vague feeling on changes of direction or cornering.

Regards, Jason.

Jason
BFG AT's
Cheers Alex