Hi guys. Have a problem with my wife's 89 4runner. I rarely use it, but this is not the problem. I drove it the other day and the handling is terrible. The truck seems to wander all over the place, it has alot of steering wheel play. What can be the problem, you guys that have more savvy about steering linkages, etc.? How can I diagnose the problem? Thanks in advance

Read this article to see if that fits the bill for what you're experiencing.

Also inspect the ball joints and tie rods. If those tie rods go, you will NOT be able to control the vehicle; all three components are easy enough to change yourself.

Thanks, I was going to check the idler arm the first chance I get which is during the weekend

There's also a gear-slop-taker-upper adjustment you can make on top of the steering gear box (pert near everything japanese has this adjustment)

There is a stud with a slot in the top and a jamnut on top of the steering gear box. Lossen the jamb nut while holding the position of the stud intact. Turn the stud clockwise (driving it further into gear box) and retighten jamb nut.

I find it best to get most of the weight off the front tires first, not all but most, so that steering effort is very light. Go slow, maybe half a turn at atime then recheck steering wheel play. I turn steering wheel while eyeballing movement of the front tires.

Over adjusting slop stud doohickey is bad. Be gentle Grasshoppah.