Toyota Tacoma steering

pat sublett · Dec 17, 2015

Got a Toyota Tachoma steering pulls constanatly to the right, any road condition. I have had the front end realighned, twice and rotated the tires, both ways,and had them balanced.No change. Any suggestion would be apreciated.

Thomas(AB) · Dec 17, 2015

What year tacoma? My 06 had the same issue, it was the wheel bearing.

Deutz Lover · Dec 17, 2015

It could also be a sticking right caliper or pad dragging on the disc.

pat sublett · Dec 17, 2015

It is a 2014. I thought about a wheel bearing but I could not figure out how to check it. It dosen't have the typical spindle with a nut on it. When I spin the wheel It dosen't turn as many times as the other wheel.

UncleTom · Dec 17, 2015

Could maybe use and IR gun (lazer thermometer)that shoots the red dot and takes a temp reading.You could shoot the left side and then the right and compare temps. Maybe brake caliper hanging up or wheel bearing, How about a low tire on the side that it pulls too?

IA Roy · Dec 17, 2015

I had a 79 chevy van that did that about 25 years ago. I took it to an alignment shop and he said that there was something wrong with the power steering in the box. Must have been a valve of some sort sticking. He jacked it up, started it up and it turned itself to the right. I never fixed it, just lived with it.

pete 23 · Dec 17, 2015

One other thing if you cannot find the problem. Jack up the front so both wheels are clear of the ground and start it up and see if it turns by it's self. Also turn it both ways to see if centering in steering unit is working properly. No idea what kind of valve they use but this does happen on tractors and trucks.

JOCCO · Dec 17, 2015

If its a 2014 wouldn't it have warrantee? Try the dealer.

Steve@Advance · Dec 17, 2015

All good suggestions, especially about checking the temperature of the hub AND the rotor. If it's severe enough to cause it to pull, you should notice a significant difference just by carefully touching it.

If there is any strange tire wear, like edge wear, or directional wear across the tread (run your hand across the tread, side to side, if it feels easier to rub one way than the other, there is a problem) have the alignment checked again, preferably by another shop.

One other thing to check is the rear alignment. If it's a straight axle, a visual inspection for spring pad/ubolt slippage, spring mounts, bushings, etc., along with taking some measurements will tell if all is straight. If it's independent suspension, have the alignment shop check it. Also look for strange wear patterns on the rear tires. Have someone follow you, see if it tracks straight.

Ron-MO · Dec 17, 2015

I agree with check with dealer on warranty, unless you are now out of warranty due to mileage. Likely a spindle, brake, or half shaft. The wife has a 2015, and had an issue with noisy rear leaf springs (not uncommon with those). About 6 months ago they replaced both rear leaf springs. Only issue - they are getting noisy again. Dealer told her once they cover a repair, it is warrantied as long as she owns, so it will go back soon. She had a 2006, and they worked on those rear leafs several times and the noise always came back. Probably a big part is the gravel road we live on. I do know the power train is lifetime warranty on those.

Deutz Lover · Dec 17, 2015

Now that I know the year I would like to ask another question. Does your Tacoma have antilock brakes?

notjustair · Dec 17, 2015

That's so funny. I bought a 97 new and it didn't take long before that clutch would rip your head off. They had to replace the rear springs - they were allowing the back axle to flex too much. That thing had power for days but 100 pounds in the back and it would squat.

36Coupe · Dec 17, 2015

Now that I know the year I would like to ask another question. Does your Tacoma have antilock brakes?

Now that you know the year, you should know that it has ABS, Obviously!

Deutz Lover · Dec 17, 2015

Early Tacomas did not have them.
Unless ordained by law there are still some recent models that have may have antilock brakes only as an option. So it is not obvious to some.
I remember reading somewhere that sometimes a fault part can cause a vehicle to pull to one side.

guido · Dec 17, 2015

Hello pat sublett,

Have you had tie rod ends or drag link replaced? Sounds like the gear box is not centered. Turn the steering wheel all the way to one side. Now turn it the other way and count how many turns till it stops. Devide the total turns in half. Turn the wheel that amount, it should be looking - clocked straight ahead. Bet you it will be favoring the side it is traveling to. If you take your hands off the wheel and steers to one side, that is called traveling. If you are applying the brakes and it goes to one side it is called pulling,
Guido.
,

Guido.

36Coupe · Dec 18, 2015

(quoted from post at 23:53:41 12/17/15) Early Tacomas did not have them.
Unless ordained by law there are still some recent models that have may have antilock brakes only as an option. So it is not obvious to some.
I remember reading somewhere that sometimes a fault part can cause a vehicle to pull to one side.

All cars and light trucks starting in 2012 have ABS standard. It is not an option. It is required by law. So, YES, It is obvious! His truck being a 2014 would have ABS standard. You can't get it without ABS!

ASEguy · Dec 18, 2015

It could originate in the steering, tires or brakes. It would be good to see the readings. Not all alignment techs are the same. Brakes can cause drifting or pulling as well. Has anything been done to the truck just prior to this happening? Is it getting worse? Did the shop check for TSB's?

Leroy · Dec 18, 2015

I think both wheels should spin the same amount, sounds like one side is draging, could be bearing or brakes.

Aaron Ford · Dec 18, 2015

I have a nice burn on the back of my left hand from this. Right rear-cold Left rear-cold Right front-cold Left front-blisters Got lazy and paid dearly! And I have some brake work to do!

Aaron

Toyota Tacoma steering

pat sublett

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