Surf...and where are ya going now!!!

[angusglover]

Well I put a post up cos the surf was wandering all over the $$$$$$ place. Toyota reckoned that the drivers side track rod (the bit with the knuckle on) was duff so I got a new one and they put it on. It does not seem to have done the trick.

She is fine on a flat road...but as soon as you hit the ruts in the road where the trucks have been in the inside lane...she goes everywhere...

I need help guys. I am mechanically inept so please keep it simple..lol

She has had a lift..(Not sure which type and I have no idea how to tell..) has had the tracking done...had new discs and pads..

WHat cud it be??? Toyota reckoned they had it but it still sucks...

Anyone in Grantham I cud show this to??? It may just be me imagining it...so if you live near and fancy a ride in me truck so you can tell me I'm not imagining it...let me know...lol

Thanks guys..

[TonyN]

She is fine on a flat road...but as soon as you hit the ruts in the road where the trucks have been in the inside lane...she goes everywhere...

Most trucks with reasonably wide tyres will do this. If its fine driving normally then you're probably stuck with it.

Check all the usual stuff, pitman arm, idler arm, steering stabilser, etc. Basically, anything with a ball joint or bush needs to be reasonably tight.

[angusglover]

Thanx mate...not even sure what tyres I have...will check tomorrow..lolol

[toyotav84x4]

If you have wide bias ply tyres (off road sand type) they will steer the truck depending on which edge is being dragged by the road ruts.
Radials (most tyres) are much better. All wide tyres do this by their nature.

I have 12.5 wide Radials BFG Radials which are very acceptable.

[geordie john]

i,ve got 275-70-16 yokahama a/t s on, mine does the same in the ruts, but no problem on normal roads so just put it down to state of roads.

[angusglover]

Just been to check..

I have 275 \ 70 R16 Michelin on the front. They say "Synchrone" on them so no idea what they are like.

On the back I have Dunlop Grandtrek.

How does this sound as a set up guys?

[BUSHWHACKER]

Just been to check..

I have 275 \ 70 R16 Michelin on the front. They say "Synchrone" on them so no idea what they are like.

On the back I have Dunlop Grandtrek.

How does this sound as a set up guys?

As they are both road biased, I don't think it's the tyres. Have you tried driving in AWD? see if that cures it.

[angusglover]

No, what would that prove? Just thinking that if I drive in AWD and it cures it, what could the issue be or what would it prove it was n't?

[AndyLala]

careful... if its a 2nd gen... only in a straight line on normal roads....

Try swapping the rear tyres onto the front... see if that makes a difference... just to prove the point.

[angusglover]

Its a 3rd gen...so AWD is no issue...

[AndyLala]

vehicles details in your profile... may assist...

[BUSHWHACKER]

No, what would that prove? Just thinking that if I drive in AWD and it cures it, what could the issue be or what would it prove it was n't?

Dunno, just clutching at straws!

It's because the distance between the near and off side wheels is narrower than the lorries, so your truck 'falls' into the ruts. Happens to all of us with wide tyres.
Just drive in the middle lane.

[da SLUG man]

She is fine on a flat road...but as soon as you hit the ruts in the road where the trucks have been in the inside lane...she goes everywhere...

doesn't that answer your question??

just that the ruts are deeper nowadays!

[da SLUG man]

It's because the distance between the near and off side wheels is narrower than the lorries, so your truck 'falls' into the ruts. Happens to all of us with wide tyres.
Just drive in the middle lane.

if you drive a truck, the wheels are handily the exact same width as the ruts!!

it pulls a bit when changing lane, but once you're in the ruts... cruise control on, hands off wheel and have a kip!!

[DitchCrawler]

No, what would that prove? Just thinking that if I drive in AWD and it cures it, what could the issue be or what would it prove it was n't?

I've got the same symptoms on my 3rd gen, and running it in 4wd helps lots, you still get the odd bit of wandering but nowhere near as bad as in 2wd.

I'll be changing the tyres on mine soon in the hope of improving things, original imports are fitted at the moment (Bridgestone Duellers)

Paul