2002 Tundra steering debacle

Hello fellow 1st gen enthusiasts. This is my first post. I bought my uncles tundra and have been going through pretty much the entire front end. Upper ball joints, wheel bearings, sway bar end links, and sway bar bushings. A couple weeks ago I replaced the lower ball joints myself and immediately after I noticed the steering was much stiffer and when turning the vehicle would stay turned to which ever direction I had it turned. Had inner and outer tie rods and alignment done the very next day by an Offroad shop in my area and the issue still remained. Took it back to them after that and advised them of the issue and they claim the alignment is good and they don’t see anything wrong with it(I call bs). I then jacked the truck up and pulled tie rods loose from the spindle to check for any binding when turning both wheels by hand and everything checked out alright. Issue still remains and I’m starting to go insane. I could essentially be in an empty parking lot and turn the wheel all the way in either direction and the truck will continue to follow the input I gave it. No idea what else it could be at this point. Truck seems to drive ok going down the road. Just doesn’t feel right when turning. Need some help to figure out best course of action.

 

Sounds like excessive toe in. Alignment issue. Could be other things though. If it’s alignment issue, it will eat your tires in short order. Like weeks.

 

Is RCD the same as Rough Country? I'm suspension and acronym ignorant.

I only ask because we get a bunch of fly-by-nighters here at the forum with all kinds of problems after installing lift kits they sell specifically, with all kinds of (sometimes permanent) problems caused by their lift kits. From my perspective, everything they sell is practically garbage, and most people trying to save a few bucks by using it end up having more problems and/or doing more damage to their trucks costing them more than they save on the kit.

6" is pretty high. Without pics of everything, I'm not sure it'll help much. Sorta like this guy, it was all guessing until he posted pics. Also Rough Country. One of many.

https://www.tundras.com/threads/yikes-need-help.106033/

 

RCD makes the best bracket lift kit for the 1st gens. Pretty nice kit.

 

Gotcha, thanks for being gentle. I get super damn confused Tuff Country (TCL), Rough Country (RC), RCD, etc.

I'm lift ignorant. But I know pics would probably help. Any time something that's supposed to pivot ends up sticking, binding or similar interference comes to mind, or possibly some imbalance (excess toe, for example) that's pulling things to favor a side.

 

New full length I-beam style spindles. Bilstein shocks. Other than using lift blocks in the rear, pretty legit.

 

Yeah it’s the RCD kit. It’s been on since 07. My uncle was the original and only owner and never had any issues with the lift. The shop I took it to is very reputable and they checked the alignment twice claiming it was where it needed to be. Even after they drove it the claim it feels normal for a Toyota lol whatever the hell that means.

 

My 2000 Tundra drives like a Toyota Camry. Very well behaved.

 

Two more questions and a poke about pics...

Did the shop give you a printout of the before/after specs like this?

If yes, can you share, so some of the more savvy guys can give you feedback on whether it's good for our trucks? There's been a few times when reputable shops have given bad advice for our trucks simply because they don't work on them much, or specialize in another brand like Ferd or Dudge.

Also, seriously, turn the wheel as you mentioned, then snap a shot from the angle of the driver's door, to show the suspension, then vice-versa, then straight-on. Take a few pics and post. Everyone here loves pics more than reading long-winded posts like mine with lots of words. Pic is worth a thousand words, give us a million.

 

Sounds to me like there is something wrong with your newer ball joints or something else you replaced recently. I would take them off and send them back for a replacement. I have a 6” rcd lift kit with moog lower ball joints , no problems so far, you might have a defective part or something else needs to be replaced, post photos so I can see what ya got

 

They never gave me a sheet of the actual alignment. I should have asked for one. I’ll take some pictures when I get off work but for now I’ll send some pictures I already had of the truck just chillen on a job site lol

as for the lower ball joints I also went with moog. Love their stuff, never had issues with any of their previous products I used on my Tahoe. I also thought I maybe had gotten a bad part but I’m not sure if I’m still within warranty. Ordered them from rock auto a few months back and sat on them until I had time to replace.

 

FYI I always used Moog everything in my previous trucks, but you should know there was a big recall on the moog BJs: https://www.tundras.com/threads/fyi-moog-recall.101454/

EDIT: May not apply to your earlier model year.

Truck awesome btw. And RE: that front license plate, I actually bought my truck in Auburn

 

Get it up in the air, and then pop one or both of the tie rod ends. Turn the wheel from side to side with you hands. If it's too stiff or seems like it's binding, it's likely your lbj's. Especially if your lift kit has the lbjs twisted into an unnatural angle. Pics please...

 

Yeah after hearing they have recalled those brands I’m definitely leaning towards the LBJ’s being the source of the problem. The problem occurred immediately after I installed them. I most likely will go with OEM ball joints just to have that peace of mind.

thanks man! I have quite a few plans for the truck in the future (spc uppers, solo LCA’s, solo rebuilt rack and pinion, lockers, bumpers and so on. My main concern has just been to update all the main components with factory style parts. The truck has just 137,000 on it so it’s in great shape

 

I already did that shortly after the problem occurred and everything felt fine. Not sure if anything changes once it’s under full load. I’ll send pics once I get back to my truck

 

Accidentally posted all these twice. My apologies

 

Have you greased the ball joints? I'd still replace with OEM since our trucks are so finicky with ball joints, but greasing can help narrow down the issue.

 

Yeah I did grease them up pretty good once I finished installing. Might have over greased as I had some grease ooze out

 

Well, I'm at a loss. I second what everyone else said since it started with the LBJ's try replacing them. If that fixes it, you know they were defective and can send back to rock auto for warranty.

Also, bad alignment makes the truck drive weird, but I wouldn't think it would make the wheels stiffer when turning.

Sorry, I'm just shooting in the dark now.

 

I appreciate the help man. It’s also worth mentioning, if you look in those pictures you can see the the driver side alignment cam is set way off from the passenger side. Obviously I know things can differ a little from side to side but I never seen it look like that

 

@Rcdlifttundra Ball joints are the one place on these trucks to absolutley go OEM. Why save $60-80 or more maybe on a part that if it fails could injure you or at least leave you stuck somewhere? The moog joints are known to be junk (I know you're new here so I understand). Get OEM's and replace those home depot lookin bolts that are holding them on too. Hope this solves your issues.

Here's the part numbers for my 01, should be similar for your 02

 

Looking at your pics you could have a compound issue. Stiffer ball joints with low caster would cause the wheel to not 'return to center'.

Your adjusters are approximately centered. Usually when aligning these trucks you want the rear adjusters maxed outwards and the front anywhere from 1/2 or 3/4 to all the way in.


Ask the alignment shop for your specs, if they have them on file. If not, when you get them redone ask for:

-.1 to -.3 camber
2.8 caster
.15-.30 total toe-in

 

Just picked up a set up OEM’s and bolts will report back with outcome

 

I just got my set of OEM’s so I’ll make sure to get the alignment sheet once I get it realigned after install

 

Update:
I swapped those moog LBJ’s out for OEM and it fixed my steering issue! Upon inspection the moog joints were so stiff they we’re keeping g the steering from returning back to center like it should. Glad to have things resolved. Still needs some upgrading to get it riding like I want be at least now it’s safe again