Sloppy steering, alot of new parts

Hey all so within the last year I have replaced the following in my truck: Lower ball joints, Lower control arms, shocks, and outer tie rods. However, my steering is still fairly loose. I was wondering how to test other components in order to find the culprit.

 

I had my son do a visual while I cranked the wheel back and forth. In both of my PreRunners it was the steering rack bushings. I replaced them with urethane bushings (took about 1.75 hours to swap).

Mark

 

Worn steering rack bushings like @mluckey mentioned is a good possibility. Another one could be a worn steering rack guide. There was an upgrade to the guide in later model 3rd Gen 4runners and 1st Gen Tacomas Another one could be play in the steering shaft. I've got some videos that will help you out.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/YywcR0E9bM4

https://www.youtube.com/embed/r4Hhl225E8A

https://www.youtube.com/embed/xsOptgpfshg

 

This is what you are looking for: Do it, super easy and your problem will go away. Did mine in an hour, had my buddy who's a welder pop on some tack welds. At least you have alot of new parts!

 

That's quite the write up, will have to try this!

 

That is a nice write-up. @Timmah! video linked above titled "Steering Play Fix" covers the same procedure and is also real good.

 

I think i'm gonna replace the steering rack and sway bar bushings first to see if that does the trick. I went under the truck and especially the sway bar ones look pretty toasty . I don't want to do the tack welds just for safety reasons in a crash. Thank you all for the advice I'll post my conclusion after I get this job done.

 

Also, when I was down there I noticed that my steering rack has a slow leak on the passenger's side near the boot. Any stop leak products really work? I don't want to buy a new rack right now.

 

When I bought mine, the steering wheel was loose and it felt shitty turning, replaced the power steering belt and its a lot tighter now.

 

A couple of light tack welds are not going to hold compared to the ball and bracket, imo.

 

Things that can contribute to "loose" feeling steering:

control arm bushings (lower AND upper)
tie rods (inner AND outer)
steering rack bushings
worn out rack
the joint thingy that goes into the rack
ball joints (upper and lower)
loose steering column (tack weld mod)

I would have an assistant move the steering wheel back and forth slightly, so you can get under there and inspect all the movey bits to see if you can see some parts moving, and others not. i.e. slop in a bushing or joint. You might have to hold your hand on the joint to feel any slop, rather than see it.

Shocks don't have any effect on "loose" steering.

Although, depending on your mileage, you are probably due to replace all/most of that stuff anyway.

 

I am asking this as a total noob, so please take that into account with your answer.

When I bought my 1st gen the steering was loose as hell, the wheel itself mainly, but some feel was off when I actually took a sharper corner as well.. The dealer replaced the power steering belt and none of that other stuff, and its like 90% better now. I still have some, and its my UCA's, which I will be replacing.

You don't mention it as one of the potential problems, and I'm wondering why. Does this power steering belt not do what I am thinking?

 

IMO I'd try the tack weld on the rack first just to get it out of the way. Super common problem in our first gen trucks, so it most likely will need to be done now or later. It's easy and free or little money to do. But if you have the cash to spend on all the parts then I guess it's fine.

I have to agree, those tack welds will not compromise saftey. Maybe if you welded the around the whole thing.

 

I'll get under the truck this weekend and see if anything looks loose. I appreciate the feedback and yeah I think I might just go ahead and do those tack welds. I'll grab my cousin who knows how to weld for a free lunch

 

I can't see that as really being a solution to loose steering, no. I think that was all in your head, my friend.

Now, if the belt was completely destroyed, and you had NO belt, that would at least nullify the power steering system, and potentially cause a loose steering to feel a little worse just because you're working harder to turn the wheel, but I don't see how replacing an otherwise intact belt could help.

 

Ok so I noticed play in my upper ball joint that have cracked boots, as well as bad inner tie rods and a leaking rack n pinion. All is getting replaced with a detroit axle rack and oem ball joints.

 

You might want to look further into that choice to go with an aftermarket steering rack. Lots of guys have gone aftermarket and regretted it.

 

I know however, this axle comes with a lifetime warranty. I also didn't want to spend over 500 bucks for an oem one.

 

Yup, OEM for life. Cheaper option search for DENSO parts, the manufacturer's of genuine toyota parts

 

Well, one big thing people forget is the cost of labor or their time when letting a "lifetime warranty" sway their buying decision. If the rack fails a premature death, now you either have to pay a shop again to do the swap or you have to do all the same work over again. If this rack ends up being a piece of crap, you will be a loser in the end on this deal.