Bump steer

Anyone else with a 3” lift experience the steering wheel moving in your hand a lot over bumps, cracks in the road. The wheel is really jerky, not sure if that is normal for lifted Tacoma’s. I’m on 285’s as well with SPC arms. I might just be tripping IDK

 

What’s caster and cross caster set to?

 

I doubt OP has a specific cross caster on an aftermarket lift... Bump steer is more often than not caused by improper toe indicated throughout the length of travel. Easiest way to do it at home is with a bump steer gauge (like an Intercomp 102014) and bump steer shims.

Before you shim, lengthen, or shorten your tie rods, make sure the truck is properly aligned with the caster set to the lift manufacturer's spec. Set your camber to factory spec and ensure that your tie rods lengths are properly set and jam nuts tightened on the rod ends.

3" lifts are floaty, but you should never feel like the wheel is moving like that without input...

 

My caster is 2 on passenger 1.7 on the driver side. Is this a tie rod angle issue? I’ll have the alignment checked again as well

 

Shouldn't your caster be around 4*? atleast that's what most people post on this site

 

Increase caster to 3.5 to 4 in that range cross caster within a 1/4 to 1/2 degree...this will make the steering wheel feel heavier and eliminate much of your complaint.

 

Thank you very much!!

 

Welcome...I have SPC uppers as well the ball joint is indexed to position “D” which give 2 degrees of caster and the arms have 2 degrees built in. It’s been awhile but if recall my caster was at 3.9 and feels perfect to me in the wheel. The steering is not lite or hard but feels firm and responsive in all road conditions.

 

You will need to flip the tie rod ends to reduce bump steer after a lift. Most people just live with it.

 

I bought a ToyTec lift with SPC UCAs with my new TRD Off-Road. I bought through the Toyota dealer and had them install as they said they would honor the full Toyota warranty on all parts they installed as well. Well on to the alignment... I took it back after their first attempt as it was pulling and has bump steer, especially at small bumps and on gravel roads. I called ToyTec before returning to the dealer and they recommended 4 degrees of caster. I gave these specs to the dealer and they said they can't get there. They said the truck did not drive right with those specs. However, with there readjustment (they didn't give me the numbers), I still have bump steer with road inputs. I am searching for a new alignment shop in the area that will work with me and Toytec's numbers, but any idea why the dealer would say 4 degrees is improper?

 

Man I wish I knew. Sucks these trucks are so temperamental. Good luck! I’ll realign mine soon and request 3 on the caster and see what happens

 

You should never take a modded vehicle serviced by dealership unless to touch non-modded systems.
They follow a manual and Toyota gives a spec range for caster. Even firestone will go with the range if you don’t tell them what caster you want.
With dealership, they will always stick to the manual as it’s liability purposes and also what they are trained to do. When you get an aftermarket UCA w/lift aligned you need to go to a mom/pop shop, a cool firestone, or a dedicated off-road/aftermarket shop. When you get the spec sheet (which they should provide), it’ll even show you as red (means bed) when you have caster over 2.9 cause in their data system that Toyota gives to shops, it’s out of the factory spec range.

 

Do you know the difference between camber tramlining and bumpsteer?
Do you have high negative offset wheels?

 

No I don’t

 

I’m experiencing the same exact issue with the steering whee moving around like crazy. I have freedom off-road UCA’s. Just got aligned with 4.0 caster and nothing changed. Please help!! I have a 3/2 supreme suspension lift with 285/70/17 BFG ko2 method 17x9 -12 wheels.

 

The KO2 tires are your problem. I had mine road force balanced and it has helped. The KO2 is almost impossible to balance, I will never get another set

 

Sent you a PM in response to the message you left on my profile page...
Also, high caster will make camber jacking a thing. When the tire turns, in your case from bumpsteer, camber is affected more.

 

I have a buddy with same identical set up and he hasn’t had this issue. Maybe I need to go with different tire? What would u recommend.

 

I'm having the same problem. Trying to figure out if it's my tires. I have bf goodrich tires 285/55/20. Would anyone know what kind of lift is on my truck? Wanna bring it back to stock.

 

Cheap spacer lift. You can take the puck out and it will be back to stock height.