SUSPENSION / STEERING WHEEL FEEL DRIVING ME NUTS

Help me so I don't buy a Frontier !

My truck ('08 DC SB TRD SR5 71,000 miles) is driving me nuts.

My story is:

The steering wheel wobbled back and forth, when turning, so I took it to dealership and they said I needed a new steering rack so I put one in.

But after, when driving on the highway, the truck still felt like it's in a crosswind and when the road crown changes or driving over uneven road surface, the steering wheel jerks excessively and the truck darts in a new direction and I feel like I'm fighting it back and forth.

At lower speeds, hitting a bump also causes the steering wheel to jerk excessively.

And when turning all the way to the left or right, the steering wobbles when returning back to center.

I took it in and replaced all 4 shocks, 2 wheel alignment, balanced all tires.

Still feels the same.

Now I'm wondering if I should try:

- replacing the steering rack bushings ... but are these bushings replaced/included when I replaced the steering rack?

- do the Steering Shaft TSB 011910?

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks guys.

 

Wild guess- perhaps your power steering is not operational? Is the wheel very easy to turn when the truck is stopped, or do you have to crank it?

 

The steering wheel turns fine when parked.

 

Try the zip tie mod on the steering shaft and see if that helps any.

 

info?

 

I'll find it for you later tonight or in the morning when I have time to get on my laptop. The tapatalk search function is kinda useless.

 

Found it...
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/88077-steering-column-fix.html

 

Well,

I think I'm going to try replacing the steering rack bushings with the kit from "Energy Suspension"

http://www.energysuspensionparts.com/products.asp?cat=Toyota+Tacoma+4WD+2008

Anyone have any experience with this company?

Would this bushings kit be redundant since I had a new steering rack installed?

i.e. Do new bushings come with a new steering rack?

 

A new rack and pinion should come with new bushings. I believe it comes as an assembly. From what I've read, replacing worn bushings with the energy suspension bushing make a huge difference. It's definitely worth a try.
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2n...tacoma-steering-rack-bushing-replacement.html