surf 3.0L steering vague 7 wandering

[kelvinrumsby]

I have just bought a very nice surf 3.0L diesel auto.... apart from the steering is very vague. There is play on the steering wheel and if the wheel is held tight and straight, the car is wandering.

Is this a steering box needing adjustment or does it need a new idler arm or ?

The car is really nice, but I am disappointed with the steering and it does feel unsafe!

Please can someone help!

[Hazzo]

There's a toyota recall on certain surfs and I think roughtrax sell the parts also, search for steering recall on here and you'll get the numbers to phone etc. Hazzo

[Growler]

More details on your tuck would be helpfull i.e. 2nd or 3rd gen what year.

All this will help people to give you a more detailed "have a look at this" info

Recall was on the 2nd gens

[kelvinrumsby]

vague steering surf 1995 diesel auto

Thank you Growler.......

My truck is a 2nd gen 1995 3.0l diesel auto

The steering is very vague... If I hold the steering wheel tight in a straight line, its still steering and what I would call floating...... It does feel unsafe, although it has just passed an MOT from the garage where I bought the truck!

I was wondering whether it is the steering box or the idler or something else

Thank you for any help.

[Hazzo]

If I was in a similar situation I'd be inclined to take it elsewhere and have it checked for my own piece of mind, especially as yours is most likely a recall one. Lots here have had this done by toyota and its free, once you go through the channels, get it looked at as if it goes kaput, you or some innocent pedestrian could end up in a box. H

[Growler]

Thank you Growler.......

My truck is a 2nd gen 1995 3.0l diesel auto

The steering is very vague... If I hold the steering wheel tight in a straight line, its still steering and what I would call floating...... It does feel unsafe, although it has just passed an MOT from the garage where I bought the truck!

I was wondering whether it is the steering box or the idler or something else

Thank you for any help.

I'd start by chcking the bushes in the steering Idler on nearside, these can be a cause of free play at the steering wheel. You can either replace the bushes or get a replacement from roughtrax/milners. Aso check the ball joints for free play/wear.

[puddlesurfer]

take it for an MOT test - they'll soon tell you what bushes/joints need changing!

[Apache]

The recall is on the steering relay rod on some 2nd gens. It shouldn't affect the 'feel' of the steering.

Potential causes of vagueness or wander are :-

1) Idler
2) TREs
3) Balljoints
4) steering damper (though more obvious over bumps)
5) Nobbly tyres - muds can make steering extremely vague!

If you cant find any play in any of these things (Idler is easiest to spot), I'd ask what car you drove before you got the Surf - the Surf *does* feel vague compared to a 'pointy' car.

[Albannach]

The bit that's replaced for the recall won't cause vague steering, will it?

[Apache]

I thought I said that...

Or are you dishing out some 'no-one listens to me' sarcasm?