3rd gen tacoma steering wander/ bumpsteer

Replace the steering rack bushings with whiteline and upgrade the hardware as the supplied hardware allows slop between the bushing sleeve and bolt or buy the jd fab option.

https://jdfabrication.com/collectio...oducts/2005-toyota-tacoma-nylon-rack-bushings

 

i have these bushings in my current rack. And new hardware. Also note the uca bushings. I destroyed the axis bushings that come with the spc’s and contacted spc to get a more robust bushing (normal bushing that is used by every other manufacturer) and thats what they sent. The bushings have space between the uca and where it mounts. Seems to me that it would allow for movement. Spc says otherwise though

 

I had issues with my Spc X-axis and got new replacement arms which I sold and replaced with different uca’s. I love the adjustability of the spc’s but don’t want to deal with yearly replacements of bushings and ball joints.

 

Do you think my coil overs and uca’s combined could be the cause of the issue. The loud clunking worries me though. Like extremely loud

 

My spc’s made a loud clunk and this is a video showing it from outside the truck with the truck jacked up.


https://youtu.be/6pt9leN6GUY

 

my clunk is much louder. Sounds like something is binding then snaps

 

I've previously had a 1st Gen Tundra, and the rack failed, and started giving that ear shattering clunk, wandering, and loose steering feel. You may have broken a tooth in the rack while offroad somewhere. I would find a good replacement rack, and swap that out before going down this road of replacing all of the already new aftermarket parts you have now. They should not be causing this issue, and having another alignment done, is just a waste of money and time at this point. You've proven after multiple alignments, that your truck has a serious steering issue.

 

Because of the top hat spacers, did you put spacers on your bumpstops? See video In my last post.

 

no spacers on the bump stops but was looking to get some durabumps.

 

luckily i have a liftime aligment program at my local shop. Cost me free.99 to get an alignment. Drop it off before work and pick it back up. Should I purchase a used rack? Or one directly from my local toyota? Use on ebay is 350 40k miles on it. New is 850$

 

I’d figure out what is loose and causing noise before you just start throwing parts at it.

 

The shocks could be bottoming out without spacers on the bumpstops. You made em "that much longer" with the top spacers.

 

I tested that while offroading one day. They hit the bump stops still.

 

I cant find anything loose. And ive had it at the dealer +2 other shops and nobody has a clue. I have been refraining from replacing any parts. Been over a year of this problem still cant find it. Check every oil change. Shake and pry at every joint

 

So, you've had this issue for over a year now, I would be ordering a new steering rack from Toyota, they make the best ones for these trucks, but I would look into maybe upgrading to the one for the Toyota Land Cruiser that is larger and stronger. I know when they built up the 4Runner for an episode of Dirt Every Day, they did that specifically to handle the larger tires. I would use this as a time to upgrade my rig, to handle the hard abuse.

 

@ClassyTacos

 

Just ordered a new steering rack. Should be swapping it within the next couple weeks. I will update here when that is done

 

I would stop throwing parts at it and find what it actually is. Your acting like a dealer. Replace, replace until it goes away. Your just throwing money at it. Not going resolve nothing doing it that way. Just my thought.

 

I havent payed for it yet they are just bringing one in for me. Ill be jacking up my truck and looking again at least a couple times more throughout the time im waiting for the rack if i even pick it up.

 

about 2.5 inches of lift. Maybe a tad closer to 3 this is my second set of suspension with the same result as the last set.