Topic: 4runner pulls to the left after driving over rail road tracks

[4Runner_guy]

Hey guys, I was leaving class and came across a rail road track that I drive over every other day. I was driving around 30-35 mph when I drove over it and as soon as I drove past the rail road track, my truck all of the sudden pulled to the left. I felt the change and immediately slowed down to regain control. I stopped the truck and checked things out but could not see anything wrong. I drove it again and it drove fine, no noise, no pulsation, and nothing I can see physically to the truck but still pulls to the left. Could it be an alignment issue? Stabilizer bar? Idler arm?
I had the truck for almost a year now and still finding new things about the truck so if you guys have any suggestions, that would be great. Thanks in advance guys.

[sirhc0306]

Sounds like an alignment issue. I would have the alignment checked because if it is off then you could start wearing the tires out way faster than you will like to. Let us know what happens

[4Runner_guy [OP]]

Upon further inspections, when I drive the truck up to speeds of 35-40 mph, the steering wheel shakes a bit, kinda like it is pulsating and when it pulsates, it mildly jerks the steering wheel a bit and still pulls to the left.

[toyyota]

You could try backing over the RR tracks, or double check tire pressures. I would probably check with a wheel alignment shop, for a second opinion.
Bob.

[Bigredwelder]

Definitely check your alignment (including checking all adjuster bolts and tie rod ends) and make sure your steering box bolts are tight.  You have something loose in your steering system if all it takes is going over railroad tracks to knock it out of whack.  I wouldn't be driving it until I found the source of the problem.  Sounds like your whole front end could use to be gone through and given a good look-over.

[sirhc0306]

Also check your balljoints and if you have a steering stabilizer check that as well. talk it off and move it in and out. if there are any spots where it drops or pulls real easy then replace that to. Just do a shake down of the whole front end. anything that moves check it.

[toyotech]

IFS and less backspacing will cause the truck to wonder more when driving on uneven roads. 
seeing as it is driving fine now and hearing that the steering wheel moving back and forth at certain speeds is mostly likely a tire balance issue.  balancing off road tires can be a challenge.  i would rec looking into those beads you can pour into the tire so they auto balance at all times.  im looking into doing this for both my trucks. kinda pricey but imo worth it, since you never have to balance ever again it it will always auto correct.  up to you but without actually having me test drive it, i can only go off what you post. i would start with a tire balance if the truck drives good now

Dyna Beads
http://www.innovativebalancing.com/?gclid=CKS27LTbj6gCFRFOgwodD2KDDQ

[jimbo74]

another thing to check..... make sure the suspension is tight...... doesn't say what year your runner is, but if it is a solid axle, check the spring center pins, check the u-bolts, things like that.. as well as other nuts/bolts in the front end.....

if it is ifs, also check things like the balljoints, and control arm bushings



how hard did you jump the railroad tracks?!

[4Runner_guy [OP]]

Thanks for the reply everyone. I was about to replace both of my ball joints to my 88' 4Runner but the prices of the ball joints from the dealer is horrendous! So I ordered a set of Moog ball joints along with 1.5 BJ spacers.
I fixed the problem with my truck. The crossing of the railroad tracks jarred the crap out of my truck, I mean, it wasn't even a hard bump too. Anyways, I had a donor cv axel and installed that to the truck. The broken axel I pulled was really bad, the joints immediately popped off the second I pulled it, which explains the pulling and the steering wheel jerking. I replaced it and took it for a drive for 10 mins and everything checks out. Thanks everyone for the input on getting my truck back on the pavement!

[toyotech]

good to hear. how did the cv axles cause the jerking? dont you have manual hubs which disables them. i guess they still turn... hmm

[Bigredwelder]

Awesome.  Glad to hear you got it figured out!

[4Runner_guy [OP]]

good to hear. how did the cv axles cause the jerking? dont you have manual hubs which disables them. i guess they still turn... hmm

I really had it pin down to the BJs but I guess it wasn't. Just came back from Oakhurst picking up some parts and the truck did great, no issues.

Awesome.  Glad to hear you got it figured out!

Thanks man.

[sirhc0306]

Glad everything turned out good.