87 T4R. 4wd pulling left on acceleration

[GAP3RKi113R]

Hey all I dally my 87 4runner that's still has ifs. The problem i I am having is my runner's Is pulling hard to the left when I accelerate so much I have to fight it. I live in tahoe and drive about 90 miles a day and its been snowing lately I found out I have this problem on my way to work unfortunately. I need to solve this problem asap any input would be great thanks.

[OVRAROK]

could be a lot of things being it has ifs, did it just start or progressively getting worse?. I would check tire wear, have you jacked up side of truck and wiggle front rotor/hub, check ball joints, wheel bearings, tie rod ends

[GAP3RKi113R]

Thanks ovrarok. It has new hubs, shocks, tierod ends, pitman arm, ball joints, and steering stabilizer it feels like my passenger side is working but my driver sides not. It will literally throw my car into oncoming traffic if I don't let off the gas. I didn't feel it get worse over time, there isn't any bad or unnormal noises that I can hear. I'm hoping it might be my alignment, but I don't know really other solutions to my dilemma if it's not

[daniresch]

If you really have to fight the steering wheel, sounds like you have 3 wheel drive. Something is likely not engaging, I'd start with taking the hub apart and making sure it is "locking" correctly.

[GAP3RKi113R]

thanks Daniresch for replying. I will give that a shot see what i can find   

[OVRAROK]

how are the front tires, in good condition?

[Cheesemaker]

Brake caliper locking up? 

[GAP3RKi113R]

Tires look fine, i didn't see a
Anything wrong with my hub assembly. Maby my driver side break isn't letting go all the way? Sounds good thanx cheesemaker.

[OVRAROK]

sounds like its toe out on drivers side, have you ran a string from like leaf spring clamp in rear, around rear tire, get it to touch front tire, it should hit both front and rear of front tire, if its hitting front of tire and not rear, its toed out to much

[GAP3RKi113R]

OK fellas I did my breaks New calipers, pads, and rotors. I also changed my Pittman arm, and idler arm that tightened my steering up so there could have been some play there that I missed   the runner is now at a shop getting realigned hopefully this is it. I plan on Rechecking there work when it gets back using the string method.  Thanks all for the input

[Cheesemaker]

That idler arm looks craptastic!! 

[GAP3RKi113R]

yeah Chssesmaker i got it from oreillys part # 20734 its made buy Rare Parts, its a lot better then what I had on there for sure

[Cheesemaker]

230,000 miles on my truck, and it has all original steering and ball joints.  I keep checking for anything wore out yet, but still all tight.

[GAP3RKi113R]

Oook Guys my Aliment was garbage winch was a good thing I guess. The runner feels much better steering wise, I put it in 4WD and the pull seems to be gone, I haven't tested at higher speeds we will have to see. The shop said they where unable to fix my caster will bad caster effect my tires? I also am wondering if there is away to fix this issue or if it is worth my time to fix.   

[emsvitil]

Caster will have no effect on tire wear.

Caster is close enough to lower spec, so you should be fine.

Why didn't they fix the steering wheel?  That should be part of the alignment.

[GAP3RKi113R]

Cheesemaker that's good stuff OEM is the best! I am the second owner of my runner she about to hit the 360,000 mark probably sometime next week but i didn't change mine till around 320,000.


Emsvitil thanks for letting me know that is great news. The teck did set the steering wheel in the right place so when I am driving strait down the road the wheel isn't all hooskered out. Not really sure why is says that on the sheet but i would have been not a happy customer if i got it messed up like it was.


I have to work tomorrow my commute is about 90 miles round trip mostly freeway i think im going to leave it in 4WD and see how it goes there and back 

[Cheesemaker]

Everything is adjustable in a front end.  It depends on the tech.  I've seen alot of tech's just do a Toe adjustment and charge you for a full 4 wheel alignment.  Hell, I've seen Ford's come from the factory with their front ends so out of whack, but the toe was right on tho!!

Heck, I don't even trust the factory setting for a alignment.  My van, I have them set the Camber at 0*.  At factory settings of 1.50*, it will eat off the inside edge of the tires in 6 months!  The steering is a little more sensitive, but you get used to it.  And I am not wasting money in tires. 

[GAP3RKi113R]

Hey fellas the the drive is soo good, I ran into some bad roads on the way to work I was confidently doing 40 mph this morning and was not fighting my car from going into oncoming traffic at all life is good    thanks everybody for the input 

Hey Cheesemaker the best thing about it. I paid 50 bucks for the aliment witch I thought was a good deal, and they had my runner for only an hour! I do have a 12 month aliment warranty in case I don't like it, but I am happy with the results. on a side note I personally like my steering sensitive.
   

[Mason85]