Steering/Front end play

Hello from Calgary
I just bought a 2015 TRD Sport Prem,DC,SWB,6spd, with a dealer installed 3 inch spacer lift,285-70-17 and have what feels like a small amount of steering play while driving on gravel or rough roads, I will be taking it back to the dealer on Mon, has anyone experienced this or know what it could be? Thanks in advance!

 

Wish I could answer your question.I am experiencing the same problem with a 2010 that I bought a couple months ago.Seems to handle fine on smooth level roads.Get on a rough,uneven road and,it's all over the place.Constantly fighting,correcting the wheel.Have had it checked twice and can't find anything wrong.Worst handling vehicle I have ever owned.Hope somebody has an answer.

 

One word...

Caster..

for better tracking and a tighter feel, getting the caster some where around 2 to 2.5 will do wonders...

did you replace UCA? some times to get the proper caster this needs to be done, also helps with droop rubbing...

 

I think he's talking about the knocking that you get when you drive on gravel or washboard. Tacoma people seem to think its normal, but I've never felt it on any other type of truck. The play comes from the joint in the steering column that's supposed to collapse in the event of a wreck, I saw a writeup somewhere where a guy tack welded it to get rid of the play, I'm not sure how that would effect the safety aspect of it though.

There's also a TSB from Toyota to fix the issue. Mine does it, but the stupid tech at the dealership wouldn't take it on a gravel road to sort out the source of the play. Supposedly the TSB doesn't really fix it anyway.

 

Sorry for the long delay folks but finally had this problem addressed by the dealer and they replaced the intermediate steering shaft, this took most of the play in the steering out of it and I would say its about 85-90% now. Thanks for your help guys, I now have a clunk when driving over rough pavement and or speed bumps coming from the rear end, Toyota says this is normal with the 6 speed and that its the play in the driveshaft, for a truck with less than 8K on it doesnt seem normal at all!!!

 

Congrats on your new Tacoma and welcome!

 

Thanks Matt, sweet truck!! How do you like it now that its supercharged? planning on doing this myself once I replenish the piggy bank again.

 

Just emailed the dealership to get the truck evaluated. The clunking noise I hear and play in the steering wheel definitely does not seem normal. Here is a link for some helpful information and possible diagnosis. Hope this helps.