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First gen steering wheel clunk FIX

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by rab89, Aug 2, 2010.

  1. Aug 2, 2010 at 9:09 PM
    #1
    rab89

    rab89 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Ok here is the true fix to your clunking steering wheel and wandering truck on the highway. I did this today and it worked perfectly. it's much easier than it looks, don't be afraid to do this one.
     
    Poncate likes this.
  2. Aug 2, 2010 at 9:42 PM
    #2
    Digiratus

    Digiratus Adventurer

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    Give credit to TW member route1286. He's the one that did the write-up on TTORA.
     
  3. Aug 2, 2010 at 9:57 PM
    #3
    steve o 77

    steve o 77 braaap

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    awesome! I have this problem bad and it is starting to get annoying.
     
  4. Aug 2, 2010 at 10:05 PM
    #4
    rab89

    rab89 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    yea I sure was tired of the clunking, do it up steve!
     
  5. Aug 2, 2010 at 10:07 PM
    #5
    steve o 77

    steve o 77 braaap

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    haha, I am off till Thursday so maybe I can get it done. Too bad we just ran out of gas for the welder, I'll just use the flux core and have some booger welds up in there lol.
     
  6. Aug 2, 2010 at 10:12 PM
    #6
    rab89

    rab89 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    yea I had some random sketchy dude do my welds, doesnt take much though. and I did the whole mod, by myself today with no troubles.
     
  7. Sep 11, 2010 at 1:51 PM
    #7
    shitroc

    shitroc Master of War

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    did this mod today and im glad i did, it seems to have improved the handling of my truck alot plus no more clunk. only took maybe 2 hours and wasnt hard at all to do.
     
  8. Mar 30, 2017 at 7:27 PM
    #8
    LearningToFly

    LearningToFly Well-Known Member

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    Is there a way to access this joint without removing the column from the truck?
     
  9. Mar 30, 2017 at 8:35 PM
    #9
    frizzman

    frizzman Well-Known Member

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  10. Mar 30, 2017 at 9:45 PM
    #10
    ThunderOne

    ThunderOne Well-Known Member

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    No, you don't have to remove nearly as much shit that the original post in that thread says. Scroll through the rest of the thread. Basically you need to remove the plastic around from behind the steering wheel and then you'll have enough access to everything to remove the shaft.
     
    LearningToFly[QUOTED] likes this.
  11. Mar 31, 2017 at 4:32 AM
    #11
    LearningToFly

    LearningToFly Well-Known Member

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    Thanks. There were a couple of guys having problems with their steering being too stiff after reassembly. That's making me a little hesitant to take it out.
     
  12. Mar 31, 2017 at 7:21 AM
    #12
    ThunderOne

    ThunderOne Well-Known Member

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    I think that's because they didn't grind down their welds and it was hanging up. Make sure your weld is flush.
     
    LearningToFly[QUOTED] likes this.
  13. Apr 1, 2017 at 3:28 PM
    #13
    LearningToFly

    LearningToFly Well-Known Member

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    Got this done today. No more rattle and no slop whatsoever.
     
    cruiserguy likes this.
  14. Apr 1, 2017 at 4:23 PM
    #14
    ThunderOne

    ThunderOne Well-Known Member

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    Awesome! I need to get mine done. Just need to find someone to do the tack weld for me.
     
  15. Apr 1, 2017 at 4:40 PM
    #15
    mechanicjon

    mechanicjon They call me "Jonny Stubs"

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    I used an 1/8 inch roll pin. Don't have a welder at my house. Picked up the roll pin at homedepot. Ised an oroginal hole in the shaft. Just drilled it out a little bigger.
     
    cruiserguy likes this.
  16. Apr 1, 2017 at 5:52 PM
    #16
    ThunderOne

    ThunderOne Well-Known Member

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    Only thing that worries me about a roll pin is eventually it will loosen up again.
     
  17. Apr 1, 2017 at 7:54 PM
    #17
    LearningToFly

    LearningToFly Well-Known Member

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    Do you have any technical schools in your area? They could probably do it on the cheap.
     
  18. Apr 2, 2017 at 12:21 AM
    #18
    mechanicjon

    mechanicjon They call me "Jonny Stubs"

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    Its a pretty tight fit. Could it loosen up.... maybe but it will be a long time. There's actually 2 holes you could put pins in.
     
  19. Apr 2, 2017 at 7:22 PM
    #19
    jsabowabo

    jsabowabo Well-Known Member

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    Did this today. Took 20 min to pull, then took to a friends house for a 5 min weld. Ground the welds flush and reinstalled. Probably a bit over an hour start to finish. The steering is tight now, it really is a significant improvement.
     
  20. Apr 17, 2017 at 11:14 PM
    #20
    dboatrig

    dboatrig New Member

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    Why did Toyota design a column that introduces so much slop? I think I read somewhere it's a safety thing...allows column to collapse in front end collision maybe? I can't remember now. If I weld it or pin it, is the truck then less safe?
     

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