steering rack repair question

yep, just a "dab'll-do-ya" on the tack weld mod.

 

Here's one not mentioned. Dribble a bit of rubbing alcohol on the OEM rubber bushings then pry, wiggle and push them out while still wet. The alcohol will make the rubber a little slick and takes a good deal of the fight out of them.

If you seem to have play on the driver side rack end and not the pass side you may have a worn "rack guide". Pull the driver side rack boot back and observe if the play is from the inner tie rod end or the rack shaft itself. If the rack shaft itself moves up and down then a worn guide is the likely culprit. If there are no leaks or other issues with the rack then just the guide can be replaced/upgraded
Search around for "rack guide" threads for all the poop on the "new style" guide. The part was upgraded by Toyota around 01-02. A 99 original rack will have the "old style roller" guide that can develop play in as little as 30K miles. The upgrade is a 1/2 hour job tops without pulling the rack.

Old style on the left, the roller develops end play. New style on the right.
If the adjuster, the big "plug" looking thing on the driver side of the rack, has an exterior hex head it is the old style. The new style has an inside hex like a giant Allen socket.



Where and how the roller guide wears. The PTFE (or something) coating on the thrust surface of the roller bushing just gets mushed away.

 

This is good info from Dirty Pool. I adjusted my rack guide and took the play out of my rack. But a little adjustment makes a big difference. Don't go too tight. My total adjustment was from 12:00 to 1:00 o'clock. If you go too much, you will bind the rack and your steering will be very stiff. The steering should move very freely.

 

Thanks - I will have to file that away for future use. I do notice the same amount of play from each wheel, though.

Maybe I need to look at another Tacoma and see if it's normal.

 

I used a small spring pin, it should be fine. Plus I still have an air bag.

 

FWIW no amount of "adjusting" will cure a worn old style guide. It can temporarily mask the problem and will put a hurt on the control valve pinion gear.

 

Not adjusting an old style, mine is an 04 with the new style. Should have made that clear.

 

JLee50, let's try to narrow your problem down. With the wheels off the ground (use jack stands), rock the wheel (tire) back and forth at the 3:00 and 9:00 positions. You aren't trying to turn the tire, just feel for play. This shouldn't move the steering column. It is easier if you have a friend do it and you lay under the truck and look.

If you have play, then check the outer and inner tie rod ends. On the left side (drivers) you could also have a worn rack guide.

As mentioned before, check the steering column by reaching under the dash and hold the steering shaft. Take your other hand and rock the steering wheel to check for play.

Have you done these? If so, what did you find?

 

Yea, with play on both sides you may have another issue or a combination.

 

Good stuff. I will add that for the worn slip joint test, hold the steering shaft down near the floor with a pair of vise grips then try turning the steering wheel back and forth while holding the VG's. The vice grip "handle" provides much better feel for play in the slip joint and/or tilt pivot ball.

 

I did that, and could watch the tie rods (inner/outer) move with the wheel. The other wheel moved slightly as well (transmitting movement through the rack) but did not appear to move as much, which seems to indicate play in the rack. I also held the steering wheel hard against the lock with the wheels straight so it would not turn, and there was still some play in the passenger wheel (did not check drivers side that way).

I suppose it is possible that tie rod ends are failing, but there's less than 10k on the outers and maybe 20k on the inners.

 

Another suggestion is have you removed the steering rack boots when checking for play? The inner tierods could be sloppy.

 

Hello all, I just put in new bushings per your suggestions and the steering is improved. There is still play in the column, though not nearly as much as before, so I will have to do the tack weld repair. That will have to wait until spring when I can work on my truck without my hands going numb from the cold. This tacoma community rules! You have no idea how many conversations I've had with mechanics about steering play. So relieved to find the right answer. Thanks

 

Awesome! Thanks for posting back with the outcome!