Replaced the steering rack bushings!

So I spent my MLK day replacing my steering rack bushings. I replaced them due to excessive play in my steering wheel and the knocking I felt in it when I hit speed bumps or went offroading. Wow what a difference they made! I was like a whole new steering system... bad news though, still slight knocking feeling in steering wheel, correct me if I'm wrong here guys, could this be a blown shock??

 

There are so many threads with so many posts of ideas as to what it is, all of our trucks do it and so far i haven't heard of anything to remedy it, but sounds like you are impressed with the new bushings, did you take some pics? do a write up!

Rab89

 

No need for me to do a write up bro, someone already did it for us! In fact here is two different links on it..
http://www.keystonekrawlers.com/Mods/Toyota/SteerBushing/TacomaSteeringBush.htm
http://www.4x4wire.com/toyota/maintenance/steering_bushing/

 

thanks for posting that for us

rab89

 

Can anyone tell me the symptoms of problematic rack bushings?

I've got two issues I experience.

At highway speeds, truck always feels like it's in a crosswind. That is, I think when the road crown changes, truck darts in a new direction and I feel like I'm fighting it back and forth.

At lower speeds, hitting a bump can cause the truck to dart in a different direction and the steering has a generally disconnected or loose feeling.

Shocks/struts are new and I've checked ball joints.

Under the truck, when I grab the steering shaft and turn (with the truck off), I can see at least 1/8" of side-to-side and/or front-back movement in the steering rack. Excessive?

 

1/8th isnt excessive at all..............beofre the dealer replaced mine under warranty....i had a good 2 inches on both sides that the rack would move. but...............the bushings are rubber and mush around alot. a set of energy suspension bushings will make the steering alot crisper. i got a set that im gonna put on(didnt thingk the dealer would do the rack under warranty)........but since i got the new rack....gonna install them later on. have your idler arm and front steering components checked for excessive wear.

alot of what you are feeling is bump steer...due to the amount of castor built into these trucks. no biggie....other than annoying as hell.

 

That's 1/8" with a hand turn on the steering shaft. I'll need to have someone move the wheel and see how it moves. Truck has 200K on it, so I can't imagine the bushings aren't shot. I may just change them for peace of mind.

 

ah.........1/8th on steering shaft...............yep, them bushings are gone man. try for purchasing the bushings....good price and customer service.............ask for Jason if you call.

 

yup definitely a cheap upgrade that can do no wrong! Once you get the old ones off you will be amazed of how they look..

 

The way I checked mine..... Lift the truck off the ground and grab a wheel.
Wiggle the wheel side to side (left side/right side in & out) while looking at the steering rack. You'll see the entire rack wiggle (but not the actual gearing of the rack) Did that make sense?

 

Sounds like a bad Tie-Rod... and these racks can go bad on the inside too... not a cheap fix (need a new one) also I have clanking in my steering, I think it maybe in the Tilt section of the shaft running to the rack....