Wobbly/Straying steering wheel

Noticed my steering wheel was wobbly and would stray every time I hit a bump, did some digging and found this. Joint at the steering column is loose. Can anyone tell me what needs to be replaced here?

every other joint is firm and looking good ( pictures below ).

 

Your first picture is called a "Rag Joint" is is supposed to be loose on the rubber bushings so every little vibration don't go to your hands.

The second picture is the universal joint and should not have any slop in the bearings.

They appear to be in good condition.

Your issue is more than likely and alignment issue. Or it could be the tires, as some types of tires seem to want to wander the ridges in the road.

 

Oem Control arms maxed out? Caster issue? Definitely get an alignment check if you havent had one recently. Got any bent cam tabs?

 

Definitely start with alignment. Any funny tire wear?

 

I would also try the above, and consider the steering rack guide?

 

This is the steering wobble I’m referring to. Also affects control when going straight at highway speeds, also can hear a slight knocking from the steering column when corner or going over rough terrain. The shaft is looking good and also the joints, steering rack is also in good shape. Steering just doesn’t feel as firm as it should, maybe it’s the age of the truck .

I’m guessing something is worn and it’s this rag joint?

Control arms, tie rods, stabilizer bar links are brand new, alignment done to spec and everything torqued to spec.

tires are brand new so can’t tell yet if they’re wearing even.

 

OP, the factory spec on the steering wheel free play you are demonstrating in the last video is 30mm back and forth at the edge of the steering wheel. Looks to me like you are there and a bit beyond.

The slop in the rag joint you are demonstrating also seems way too easy to initiate IMHO. In the top video where you are using your left hand, look very carefully in the very center of the rubber piece. There is a plastic sleeve that wears and contributes to the slop and noise, often clunking.

So what to do? If this were mine I would (and have done) the following:

1. Replace the intermediate shaft with the TSB one. Here is the TSB.
T-SB-0057-12.pdf
Make sure you get the TSB shaft with part number ending in
xxxxx-04020 as the parts look up automatically defaults to the crummy
old shaft.

2. When you remove the intermediate shaft, check carefully for a tear in the rubber boot that is present in the firewall. It is under where your thumb nail in the first video drifts off to the side. Replace if torn.

3. You said it strays when you hit a bump. So check for something called bump steer. You will do this by measuring the length of the LH and RH tie rods. So locate the jam nut on the tie rod ends and use a piece of paper or something to measure from the edge of the nut to where the exposed threads end. They must be very close to even. The factory spec is 1 thread difference (1.5 mm).
But the bump steer may have other causes too. Read on.

4. With front wheels on the ground, check for wear on the inner and outer tie rod ends. Have assistant wiggle steering wheel while you observe.

5. With front wheels on the ground and assistant, check to see if there is play in the steering rack itself. A frequent culprit of clunking and slop is where the lower intermediate shaft enters the steering rack. If the shaft entering the rack turns but does not move the tires, there is too much slop where the pinon intersects the rack inside, the inner tie rods are worn, the outer tie rods worn, the rack mounting bushings bad, or all of the these.

6. Two bolts hold the steering rack to the frame. With wheels on the ground, have assistant wiggle the steering. Does the rack move back and forth a lot? If so the bushings holding the rack are shot.

7. Finally, visually check to see if the alignment cam fences next to the cam adjusters seem damaged. The cams often become rusted and frozen and the fences damaged when an alignment guy tries to force their movement and if flattened have a hard time holding alignment.

 

Yeah i would replace that steering shaft and rag joint assembly. Looks totally sloppy. somethings wrong with it.

 

Damn why have i never seen or looked into this. My steering wheel has been like this for like 60k miles. I think i will send it and do this. I found play in this joint a long time ago and figured eh its fine. Recently its gotten worse, chalked it up to age.

 

@SURFTACO where can I find this steering rack guide?

 

I’m guessing this the replacement I should be looking for?

 

No. That is not even a 2nd Gen. part. ^^
But if you look in page 2 of the TSB I linked the TSB shaft is 45220-04020.

 

Thanks I found it, but I’m looking at the same part here.

is this an upgrade to the original?

 

Yes, but only that part number. The dealer parts dept. defaults to the old and they will try to sell you that. Make sure it is correct. The best dealer prices I have found are online.

 

These things are $$$$$, any idea where I can get one at a reasonable price?

 

https://toyotaparts.bochtoyotasouth.com/oem-parts/toyota-shaft-assembly-steering-4522004020