steering wheel shake and rattle..

Great conversation folks. Thank god for search button
I have s 2002 4wd Xcab 2.7 with General AT2's 265/70R16 (new with less than 4000 road miles on them).
I have always had some vibration (steering wheel but no rattle) while driving on the highway. My mechanic noted that two of my wheels were bent (and that I might notice a some vibration) and so I just though this was the issue I have been having.
Would new wheels fix the issues?

I also have a wa-wa sounds when turning left.
My knowledge about this issues, sux. But this site is very good at helping me figure some stuff out.
Thanks!!

 

I would guess your wheels are not bent and the Mechanic is full of shit because he doesn't know how to balance a tire. Just my experience. I would try try and find a shop that knows how to do it but good luck, most of them suck. They are out there though

 

May not necessarily be the rack... This is a very common problem and the fix is easy/inexpensive. Pull the upper steering shaft assembly out (only takes a few minutes), do a quick tack weld (or install a roll pin), put it back together, and problem solved.

Here's a link to the first page of a thread where they find the solution, but they don't track down the source of the problem until a few pages later so keep reading... there is a lot of good info here:

http://www.tacomaterritory.com/forum/showthread.php?t=11145

 

I've read this but how do you get the shaft out as you describe?

 

I haven't done this fix yet, but from what I've read, the attached PDF shows where to do the tack weld (or roll pin) and how to get the steering assembly apart. Have also read that you can get to this part of the steering witout any special service tools, as the FSM calls for.

 

Originally Posted by woody1235
Something else on the subject. I suggest that all of us who have had this problem, or do in the future, file complaint with the National Highway Transportation Safety Admin. Its easy to do on line through www.nhtsa.dot.gov (I think). Since the steering is a safety issue, if they get enough filed compaints, maybe they will look into and pressure Toyota to correct. Can't hurt.

 

Wished I had seen this info days ago, I tore into mine cuz the slack was so bad. And what I found is what that diagram shows, it is a crush zone and where it is put together it has a teflon bushing that was wore out. I just welded it up and now its great.

 

I also just pulled mine out and had it welded this past weekend... No more rattle or play in the steering wheel, and it drives SO much better on the highway. I took a bunch of pictures and will post them when I get some time. Not a hard fix to do at all, and it's not necessary to remove the steering wheel or airbag (unless you want to play it safe and not work near the airbag).

 

Is the removal of the column on a scale of 1-10 ...10 being difficult,how difficult of a job is it, I have a welder and tools, very leary of messing with the air bag, can't see it de-ploying with the battery disconnected. My steering feels a little loose when I go over some bumps, but it more like the shocks are worn, rather than a steering wheel shake,or rattle, but I do feel it in the steering wheel.

 

Very interested in seeing the pics and a how to. Thanks

 

It was real easy, just looks intimadating. Like someone else said, just leave airbag ,wheel,and tilt sytem and save a lot of headache.

It is pretty much just take a few bolts and unclip some harness and drop out, once out you have a few springs and a couple more bolts to get a sleeve that is covering it off and then its just tack weld and reassemble.
If you have any mechanical abilitys you should be fine, and if you are doubting it while looking at it, take pics before and while you are taking it apart so you will have something to reference if you have a prob.

 

I agree... Looks harder than it actually is. I'd give it a 1 or 2 on a scale of 1-10. I am hoping to do a write-up with pics this weekend.

 

I posted a write-up with pictures about the weld fix here:

 

finally!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! im definatley doing this on my next day off. this has always been one of the very few things i dont like about my truck. the write was awsome and now i cant wait to resolve this issue

 

I did it today and it worked wonders!

 

did you take the whole steering wheel/airbag off? i think some were able to access the problem without taking them off

 

I left steering wheel intact and did this.

 

Be prepared to start hearing a little squeaking in about 3-6 months from now if you wheel. Not bad, but it will make itself known from time to time when you wheel.....

 

Wow, I wheel the shit out of my truck & I haven't had any issues with rattles,vibrations,racks feeling like there falling out...I feel like I should have some of these problems , maybe they just haven't reared their ugly heads yet ... hmm, go figure ..

 

my 01 double cab has 127,000 miles on it and i did this mod today here are some pics.
it cost me $5 at the local muffler for these tac welds... just like in the write up



but this is what my dash looked like when i took it apart... not like in the write up