Rocked front wheels back and forth and steering wheel moved side to side...

Hey guys,

Noticed something weird the other day when I changed out my lug nuts. I thought I would rock my wheels back and forth since I had the front end jacked up, to see if everything was kosher... Turns out something definitely isnt. When I rocked the wheels back and forth I noticed quite a bit of movement of the wheel and then heard my steering wheel moving back and forth as well. What could be the cause of this? Steering rack? Tie rod ends? Something more serious. Ive been noticing for a long time too that when I go over a bump or washboard dirt road that I can hear a knocking in my steering column. I suppose this is probably related.. Anyone else have this problem and a solution to it?

Thanks!

 

Can you clarify? What is the issue? You moved the wheels and the steering wheel turns? I think that's normal.

Also, the clunk in the steering column is a well known annoyance. There is a fix posted somewhere. I'm sure someone will find the link to it.

 

Yeah when I rocked the wheels the steering wheel moved and there was alot of play in the front end/steering. I have always heard that all that play is not good and is a problem. Getting an alignment on tuesday so maybe the shop can confirm if something is wrong or not.

 

Well if you turn the wheels then of course the steering wheel will turn too. I can't comment on the play.

 

Wheel bearing

 

Lug nut!

 

That's not the proper way to check for steering looseness. Leave both tires on the ground. Have someone wiggle the steering wheel back and forth, while you put your hand on each joint to feel if 1 side of the joint is moving and the other side isn't. Also feel if the rack is moving back and forth. With an 05, it's probably due for rack bushings.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/steering-column-fix.88077/

This helped me a lot. One simple zip tie in the rag joint. I thought something was seriously wrong with my truck when driving offroad, but this seems to have helped a lot. Your diagnosis in the last couple lines makes me think of what was happening to my truck. Dirt roads and bumps made weird clunking noises in my steering column.

 

Im afraid it may be the rack bushings. Last time I was getting aligned the tech said there was alot of movement in them and that they needed to be replaced. Went back in to get it fixed and then a different tech said they were fine. Who knows who was right but like you said, with an 05, Im sure Im due for new ones.

 

Will definitely be doing this ASAP! Thanks for referencing that post!

 

The difference that one small zip tie made surprised the heck out of me.