Steering column fix

Just got done with this. About ten minutes to make an aluminum shim and install. World of difference. This was kind of a trial run, gonna mill out a more professional couple of shims tomorrow and reinstall. Damn what a nice change on gravel. Thanks OP.

 

Milled shims? More info on selling some? Might be cool instead of zip ties... lol I have lots of zip ties though..

 

Probably not for sale. The cost of milling and aluminum stock would most likely outweigh the invaluable worth of zip ties and duct tape.

 

Lol I figured. Oh to have the tools and equipment that you have.

 

+1

 

Would be interested to know if there is an updated TSB for the new shaft??

 

bump

 

Tsb yet? My zip tie is holding strong since 2009

 

Thanks Toyota_09 for this great idea. I, too, traced the source of my very minor (but still annoying) clunk to the rag joint. A small zip tie cured my ills, and I am hoping that it holds up to rough driving! See my full build here:
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/new-members/308438-new-colorado-tacoma-owner.html

 

subd

 

Just called my dealer here in Canada and they are going to cover it no problem (I'm just under the warranty period luckily) The TSB covers 2005-2012.

Update: had the truck in to get the steering shaft replaced and it is sooooooooo much better now.....no slop in the wheel at all. I am very happy!

 

BEST. THREAD. EVER.

So doing this when I get home!!!

 

Is there now a second revised TSB part as has been suggested in this thread?

T-SB-0119-10 was issued May 3, 2010 and introduced the first TSB part upgrade for the steering intermediate shaft (the upper one). The shaft for this TSB is Part No. 45220-04020 and the one I put in my truck.

So does anyone know?

 

sub'd

 

I had a little slop in the wheel and since I just bought new tires, I knew that wasn't the problem. I looked underneath and sure enough found a the slop in the joint. I didn't have much and in fact had to sand down the zip tie to get it started. Took it out for a test drive. Night and day!

Thanks for the great tip. This is by far one of the best yet.

 

So, I got my 2014 back in November and immediately noticed a steering clunk on rough roads. I tried the zip tie mod in less than a month, and it took most of the play out of the shaft. I recently was able to get a second small tie in 90 degrees from the first. The shaft has no movement--not there or under the hood where I used to be able to move it and feel it clunk. I am still getting a loose feeling off road. On the road it is solid--especially after I moved the tilt/telescoping adjustment on the wheel 1/8 to 1/4" away from the extreme positions against the stops. I think what I am feeling now is feedback through the column because everything is so tight. I can't tell if it is worse than it originally felt because I don't want to take the zip ties out. I seem to remember the original movement was more of an alarming clunk. This just feels like vibration. Anybody else getting the same sensation--even after the mod?

 

Passion4Outdoors, try jacking your truck so the front wheels are just off the ground. With the engine off wiggle the steering wheel a bit to check for free play in the wheel. If there is some slop look at the bottom of the lower intermediate shaft where it enters the steering rack while an assistant wiggles the steering wheel. If there is back and forth movement there without moving the tie rods, there is your answer. Mine was about 50% there and 50% in the upper intermediate shaft where everyone is putting the zip ties.

Rant: the intermediate shaft TSB has been out since 2010. Will someone please tell me why Toyota is still putting the non-TSB part in 201` `1trucks?

 

wow...it's been 3 1/2 years since i made this thread. glad to see it's helping so many members.....bottom line: TOYOTA SHOULD BE ASHAMED THEY HAVE NOT FIXED THIS YET...!!

 

I'm not sure if my shaft is the non-TSB part. Does anyone have photos comparing the two shafts? I am pretty sure that trucks past the TSB year range have the new parts--no matter what the TSB is.

So, I didn't jack the truck up, but I did have someone move the steering wheel while I was down on the ground holding the shaft. I can feel a slight clicking there and also when I feel the tie rods, too (while there is resistance against the stationary tires moving with the engine off). I went down to the dealership and talked to the Service Manager about it. He could feel it, too, but new trucks on the lot did the same thing when we checked. I'm not sure if that slight click is the origin of the problem. I am just wondering if 2011-2014 Tacoma owners are getting a steering vibration on rough surfaces? These would be trucks newer than the May 3, 2010 TSB.

 

2014 DoubleCab TRD here. Didn't have the loose steering feel until I took it in the rocks at about 1400 miles. Now it does and made me think the tie rod ends did not seat properly after I put the lift in it. Checked them and all was well. Just stumbled across this thread, checked into this joint and sure enough the slop was there. Ran a couple small tie wraps through and the fix is in. I like $0 fixes that's for sure! I agree that a small bushing, perhaps bronze or stainless, would be a more permanent fix, but this will do for now. I will give it a good test this weekend as I head back to the mountains for a little R and R.

Thanks for this quick, easy, cheap fix to a piss-poor design!