First gen. steering wheel play

tricky as in how?

 

Kinda hard to explain but I found the center bolt area was tricky to get back in place as well as the location on the drivers side. The new bushing makes where it mounts a little tight so I used a big C clamp between the rack and the crossmember to draw it into place.

Also, that center nut is welded to the frame so don't try and take it off like I did lol. loosen the bolt from the top but not so much that you can't get the ratchet out. You'll see what I'm saying when you do it.

 

My Taco wonders a bit to the left on the hwy

 

just do a search for this and use the write up. the one i used has pics and everythng. so pretty much a step by step. but wrestling the rack back into place is the toughest part. good luck

 

Here ya go

http://parksoffroad.com/tacomamods/kristacoma/rackbushings/rackbushings.htm

 

oh yeah and be sure to have a torque wrech with a long handle , ur gonna need it because the ft. lbs. on the bolts are really high. imo

 

I just used a long breaker bar to tighten. Yes the torque is kinda high

 

thanks guys - the shop wanted $475 to do it...just bought the bushings for $23...i think the only other thing i need is a 22mm socket...so yea!

 

Go for it!

 

x2

 

I have the same steering wheel play problem on my 2004 Regular Cab. On the highway, my truck often wanders from side to side, and off road, it rattles very noticeably when rolling over small bumps. Have been doing some searching and found a thread that seems to have the real answer. Apparently this is a common problem and there is an easy fix. Here's a link to the first page of the thread, but they don't track down the source of the problem until a few pages later so keep reading... there is a lot of good info here:

http://www.tacomaterritory.com/forum/showthread.php?t=11145

If the link doesn't work, the thread is titled "Clunking steering column/shaft?" at TTORA.

People reported having replaced racks and entire steering columns only to have the problem come back after some time. Again, read this thread linked to above for much more detailed information, but in a nutshell, all that has to be done to permanently fix the problem is pull the upper shaft assembly out (only takes a few minutes), do a quick tack weld (or install a roll pin), put it back together, and problem solved.

Several others reported that this completely took care of the problem after having put up with the steering rattle for years. The fix makes perfect sense and was diagnosed by a Toyota technician (screen name Gunny at TTORA) on his own truck. Other posters had very good info to add also. Check it out!

 

EVERYONE!!!! I just fixed my clunk!!!!!

HERE IS THE THREAD! it's a lot easier than it looks, i did it today, and it eliminated all of the clunking when I go offroad and the wandering on the highway. DOO IT!

 

maybe we can sticky this or something, it fixed everything for me!

 

Old Thread, I know, but figure updating this for anyone else in similar situation would be nice.

Thanks to rab89 and rout1286 for posting those links up with all the pictures, I was able to take a short cut route without taking much off. Took me about 2 hours or so, If i were to do it again, would take half that time.

-Just remove the column cover, lower dash panel and side kicker panel.
-Unplug the wiring and move out of way.
-Unbolt the two 6mm hex/allen bolts on the upper steering wheel joint (left and right side) and unbolt at the very bottom where the lower u joint is from the firewall (be sure to make a mark with a sharpy as this will act as your alignment for reassembly).
-Remove the two main springs on top.
-Option if you want to remove the two smaller springs for the tilt feature of your steering wheel. I did so the wheel wouldnt lock up when tilted.
-After all of the above, pull the steering wheel out and the column shaft will follow.

-Just word of advice, when reassembling, be sure to get the lower ujoint put together first before bolting the upper steering wheel joint.

I dont have pictures, step by step, but I did take pictures while working on it. Refer to the above links in the previous posts for detailed pics of what im talking about if your not sure.
Steering wheel and column shaft out.



This is where the left and right free play in the steering wheel occurs at, like others mentioned, either weld it or put a pin through it.


I have a Tig welder, so I Tig welded a couple of good tacks on.





Pictures of the of driver side dash area with wheel removed.




Also in case your wondering, before I did this tonight, I had replaced my rack bushings with Energy bushings, replaced inner and outer tie rods and still had the excess steering wheel movement. After doing what I did tonight, no free play/excess steering wheel movement what so ever. Steering wheel feel is nice and crisp. Actually turns the truck left and right with the slightest touch.

Hope this helps.

 

Yep did this a while back myself and made a big difference. I didn't have any play except a previous repair which was the rack bushings. But still had the notorious 'clackity' steering wheel when offroading. But it did make the steering more responsive too on the road with the slightest movement like you said. Definitely a worth while 'mod'. Which should be made into a separate thread itself and stickied if you ask me.

 

Mine has 150,000 and no steering problems so far. I did replace the rack bushings with Energy suspension a while back but it really didn't need it. They were just slightly loose. It's been "mildly" off roaded fairly regularly since it was new. Not constantly though. It's gotten most of it's abuse since I bought it from my dad who "babied" it and I don't "thrash" it at all although it does see a lot of dirt roads. At very s,ow speed under 20 mph.

How are you using your truck?

 

Thread revive but I did this a week ago and it fixed my steering wheel play and highway wondering. It also fixed my steering wheel rattling when on gravel roads

 

Did you end up using the spot weld method?

 

Yeah, ended up putting on 3 tack welds.

 

Do the tack weld fix and you will love your life.