Any way to tighten steering

When replacing tie rods, do you recommend Toyota parts?

 

Yes. Once upon a time many aftermarket parts were made superior to the OEM stuff, but that was then, this is now. I've been burned so often by aftermarket parts that I have resolved to only use OEM on safety items like steering and the like. I just don't have the patience any more to try and save a few dollars by buying junk parts.

 

So......i took my truck to my mechanics. He checked out tie rods and said they're fine, but the cv axle needed replacing. He showed me where it was pulling out more than what it should. Does this sound plausible to you? I'm not mechanically inclined, so.......

 

Have you done the ECGS bushing on the drivers side? I assume thats the one he showed you was loose?

Also, this has ZERO effect on the steering wheel being loose.

 

Its the CV axle......my mistake.

 

Yep, it's for the CV axle on the front. The bushing in the diff replaces the needle bearings that are known to call noise and vibration in the front. it can make the CV axle seem like it has some movement up and down at the diff.

if you have movement elsewhere then that may be a different problem.

 

My mechanic said that the CV axle would affect the steering. I'm confused now....

 

Unless the CV axle is catastrophically bad and causing significant bind then it will have no effect on the steering.

Your tie rod ends, your control arms, your steering rack, ball joints, and your steering shaft can all effect steering.... CV axles? no.
Edit: Wheel bearings can effect steering too

 

Would spacers affect the steering?

 

Yes, by putting more force on the steering components because it moves the contact patch out. It puts more wear on the wheel bearings too... (I have 1.5" spacers on mine)

are you sure it's not the wheel bearings?

 

Yes, we've checked the bearings. Should I take the spacers off?

 

Spacers themselves wont cause the issue. You have something worn out. And the CV shafts are not the cause.

 

I had to replace the steering rack at 140k on a stock SR5 4x4, oh sorry it is the SR5 dirt road edition

 

So.....i ended up letting Toyota look at it. It's the steering shaft......