Loose steering cause?

Hey all, been trying to pin down an issue for a while now and hoping somebody can give me some ideas.
My steering doesn’t have much vibration at all, but it does have quite a bit of play and on rough ground the steering will jerk side to side when hitting bumps/potholes/etc. I can almost feel it rattle back and forth.
Specs if needed:
08 Tacoma 4wd
3.5” lift Icon coilovers
SPC ucas
33x12.50s
I suspect it’s the intermediate steering shaft, has anybody else had a similar issue? Wheel bearings were done a few months ago as were tie rod ends. CV axles are also fairly fresh. Thanks in advance.

 

This sounds like it would be that upper steering shaft with that small U-joint in it, I would shoot some PB blaster in there and soak it down really really good for a couple days and hopefully it’ll loosen up for you

 

There is some good info in this thread including links to other threads where 'slop' is discussed towards the end of post 1

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/how-to-lower-intermediate-steering-shaft-fix.638653/

 

I'm dealing with this issue too. I've got serious play in the steering rack bushing. so maybe check that

 

Could be any number of things. Put the front end on jackstands and grab each tire. Push on it every which way and look for the source of play. Having someone behind the steering wheel can make it easier to detect where the play is.

Places to suspect, in the order I would check them:

- tie rod ends (inner and outer). even though they're fairly new, sometimes the aftermarket ones are shit and can go bad very quickly.
- upper control arm uniball
- lower control arm balljoint
- upper control arm bushings (harder to check without unbolting the UCA from the spindle)
- check torque on the mounting bolts for the wheel bearing to the spindle.
- coil over's uniball where it mounts to the LCA (play in the suspension can contribute to feeling loose)
- intermediate steering shaft
- steering rack itself. if you determine that is where the play is it, you have the decision as to whether it is the mounting bushings or whether it is the teeth in the rack itself.

If the truck has been wheeled, it's totally possible that it is the steering rack. Which sucks - because the aftermarket/rebuilt replacements aren't the greatest and the OEM units are expensive. Plus it's not a fun job to do.

 

Let us know if you get this sorted out!

 

Going to try what post #3 suggests and see if that helps first

 

Had same problem and intermediate shaft was kind of sloppy so replaced . Still had some knocking jerking . Had checked tie rods in air and seamed good no play . Checked while on ground and had friend rock steering and felt inner tie rod loose .Replaced tie rods and rack bushing all good now
So yea check what Mxpatriot sayed