Hit a pothole now steering is getting looser

have a 1999 4Runner, 380,000 mi and was kept in a garage, it would go down the road, let go of the wheel and stay in a straight line with the steering wheel centered.

But 2? weeks ago at night after heavy rains a huge pothole opened up, going 45mph hit it, very loud and I was swerving, worst pothole hit in my 50+ years of driving.

now to go straight the steering wheel has to be 45 degrees tilted? cannot see the Fuel gauge. And noticed yesterday I had it the other way 45* to go straight? then noticed in turns, go to turn and it keeps on straight, then it starts to turn. something very loose that got worse in 2 weeks.

Its been 30 years since I last worked on suspensions. No tools really, no compressor, no lift, no gato. dont mind investing in some tools now and want to replace just about all of it but wanted to ask experts who have done it what you would recommend? Any diagram of it, what is good to replace, whats probably going to be needing replacement?

maybe I can get photos of each side and I understand a shop cant diagnose without going under there, but if a persons done the work I'm hoping its: replace this thing and that thing anyway, because if its bent this way, then that part will need to be replaced if the other is brand new.

Im trying to buy another vehicle because it doesnt seem safe even going around town

 

I’d take it to a shop let them tell you what’s going on. Then from there I’d decide whether to invest in tools. If there is a lot of damage it could be an insurance claim. I understand you probably don’t want to pay for a mechanic to look at it but Firestone will look at it for $50 and tell you exactly what’s wrong and what needs to be replaced. They’ve even allowed me in the shop so I can see for myself. From there I decide if I’m going to do the work myself or take it in. But I have tools and a compressor. My point is you could end up throwing a lot of parts etc at it and not fix the problem. In addition you need to buy tools.

 

Yes what youre saying is true. we have a place called Ken Towreys theyll do a free estimate, put up in the air, etc. Id have to have someone help do the work as im partly disabled and its miserable. And they have also let me in the work area and I like that. before moving, I had bought a nice creeper, sockets and alot and just needed a toolbox. one day noticed it looked emptier. 3 bicycles gone, the creeper, the tools, a heavy duty floor jack, 3 ton? and months later the landlord made some comment about the stolen tools from my garage, yeah so the thing is I never told him, I watched and waited. i had left a few tools in there as I was moving, to fix things, gone. I said, next day, what about those items? he says oh you must have put them outside on the porch. what a liar. But your saying this gave me an idea whom to ask to check it, thanks.

 

Sounds like it got knocked out of alignment. I would start by bringing it to an alignment shop and ask for an alignment. They should notice if anything else is broken while doing the alignment.

 

what about the steering box? what happens if some recirculating ball bearings are ruined and the preload becomes looser? seems like that would do what its doing, and the alignment is clearly off. had this 10 months, interstate driving, same streets same intersections go to turn and it doesnt go, have to turn more now. steering box, and it looks to be leaking. would like to get the manual but they run $400 or so on ebay?

 

Just take it to an alignment shop. It's what they do. Don't make this harder than it needs to be.

 

I want to find the rack and pinion steering box thats new or good, 1996 - 2002 4Runner with 3.4vs engine and then the ends, and besides replacing that rack, what else, or just buy all the rest of the replaceable parts

IDK the shop time to R/R the rack, and rather do myself then bring in to have an alignment after its all replaced.

if I just knew someone who did alot of these, even a TMNA plant 20 miles from here, should be some really good folks could do this in one day. for me, with a screwdriver and a few sockets. it would be block it, take wheels off, take hood off and expect it to be a month of finding how, go get that tool, try this. Toyota said I cant even pay to get the online service info. RR the steering rack Id like the shop info, get another torque wrench

 

How is replacing parts that you don’t even know are broken easier than getting an alignment?

 

Simple. Ive determined that a front steering component has failed. After hitting the pot hole the steering has become loose and doesnt turn the wheel, and finding out its this rack and pinion assembly not a steering box, there is no fixing a rack and pinion? its a disposable unit. maybe the sway bar is worn out? at least the steering rack has to go, maybe replace the pump as well and any hoses. I found out the insurance claim will take at least 3 months to process. and Im so arrogant nobody wants to sell me a car for cash, Ill have to pay someone to buy a car for me. even used car dealerships wont deal with me. sorry that car has been uhhh sold, yeah thats it thats the ticket. so just throw parts at this. but with no friends no shop no tools no place to work on it except my drive way and then if i do? the neighbors will call code enforcement theres no HOA but its as if there was and they are all sick snippy losers. I need a place on acres with a shop and show some younger person how and give them repair experience. I dont take shortcuts and go by the factory service procedure and that bothers some people

 

Good luck.

 

I had to read twice to make sure I wasn't the idiot here.

 

I must have misunderstood. I didnt realize you knew exactly what was wrong. Since that's the case, yeah, replace all the bad parts and you should be good to go! Good luck!