The center point of my steering wheel changes when I turn! Help!

So I just installed a brand new steering rack (OEM) along with bushings and went to get it aligned. The alignment dialed in good but now I have this issue where if I turn left the steering wheel tracks straight but if I make a right turn then go straight the steering wheel has to stay at 30 degrees to the right to keep the truck going straight.

Has anyone had this issue?

I should also mention I just replaced control arms, and ball joints a few months back and it was fine until this rack was installed.

 

The only thing I can think of is that your outer tie rod ends might not be attached right to the knuckle? If one of the otre's is floppy, it could toe in the tire as you turn back straight.

 

Thanks for the reply. I did torque them down but I’ll double check (they were also replaced)

 

So I went out to inspect the OTRs and realized while having someone else move the steering wheel that the rack is actually shifting back and forth.

it has all new bushings and I torqued everything to spec. Anyone know what else could be causing it to move?

 

This is interesting
My whole rack was moving but this was because the bushings were wore out that hold the rack to the frame.
If it’s all new bushings and everything is torqued it should be solid.
I know the torques are high in the 120-140 foot pounds depending on what fastener it is.
Can you recheck your torques again?
Is it possible that one of the bushings are damaged?

 

So I think I may have figured it out. Apparently Toyota switched the center bolt on the steering rack to a slightly larger diameter around model year 2000. But the current OEM rack they sell is good for all years of 1st gen Tacoma. My 98 has the smaller bolt and the steering rack likely has the larger center bushing to accommodate the later larger bolt! I’m going to try and get a new OEM bolt and see if that fixes it. I suspect this is exactly what’s happening. I found this info on adventuretaco (https://adventuretaco.com/guide/ste...ement-on-a-1st-gen-tacoma-or-3rd-gen-4runner/)

 

If that is the problem, expect to replace the bushing rather than the bolt as the nut it connects to is only going to fit the bolt you already have. The bushing isn't available OEM except for with purchase of a new rack, so you will need to look aftermarket for it.

 

It's odd tho, as currently Toyota has the same part number for the bolt for the entire first gen in their catalogue now (which I assume is the bigger one) part number 90080-11298

I also just looked at a new TRW bushing kit I have and in fact it even comes with two sleeves to accomodate either side bolt depending on which your vehicle has. (see attached) this size difference correlates to about the amount of back and forth movement I'm seeing on the rack so I'm 90% sure this is the issue.

 

Just which Toyota Dealer did you buy the Rack From??

Will that sleeve work in your installed rack bushing ?

Did you not notice the loose fit when you installed the bolt.

Interesting no one else mentioned this problem in all the Steering Rack replacements.

 

That's so weird and I'm glad you found the problem. Never thought they'd change the bolt size midway through a gen like that

 

There are many differences between the 1st gen trucks. Early 95.5 to 98 (or there abouts) had shorter leaf springs. 03.5+ have different parking brake attachments which change the backing plates, etc.. throttle bodies were updated to early "fly by wire" systems. Evap canister moved from the engine bay to above the gas tank, etc... Even amongst the steering racks, they updated the guide bushing. The designers certainly kept updating things throughout the years.

 

Lithia Toyota in Eugene, OR. I did not notice the loose fit when installing the bolt but the top bolt isn't even visible so it is really easy to miss. especially with such a minor difference. It makes sense tho as Toyota only has one part number for the steering rack now for all years. It only makes sense they would use the bigger bolt hole otherwise we would have ppl complaining that the bolt won't go through. But us with the smaller bolt will still mount up but can slide. It is possible other people's bushing hold it tight enough to not slip or something and it's not as noticeable.

Yes, I will post pics when I have it removed to show the difference. The bolt hole is only about ~1/8-1/16" off but it's enough to tilt your steering wheel 20ish degrees off center.

 

Hey All, want to update you that I discovered my theory of the bushing was true! I replaced the bushing with the sleeve that had the smaller inner diameter and it works perfect now altho need to get an alignment to recenter the wheel now but it stays perfectly put and the steering is super tight and solid now!

Here is a pic of the original bushing with the bolt. You can see it's a huge hole compared to the bolt.

 

Thanks for the update !!

Glad it was a simple cure!

 

Year ago I ordered the kit for 95-00 bushing kit from energy suspension....

What they sent me was completely wrong.

The center one was too tall........and the end bushing under the u-bolt was for larger diameter.....

So I had to burn the center out of the old center one and reuse it.....and then shave the two halves down to fit...

The end one I had to chop some out....and cinch it down......
definitely mickey mouse.......

I have rwd 5 lug....and I ordered the correct kit.....