Steering column firewall cover

I’ve been battling the loose clunky steering wheel feeling like most people on here. I’ve gone through my front end and checked the lower intermediate shaft. I replaced the other intermediate shaft with the rag joint. Still nothing. Did the zip tie mod. Nope. So while straightening my steering wheel from being a tooth off after the shaft replacement I decided to dive into the firewall seal just to see. Cause we’ve all seen the remnants of this dust seal(?) on the steering shaft when looking at it. This is what I found….here you can see where the rubber piece fell apart at the seals. If you notice my new shaft. I used rubber splicing tape covered in electrical tape to close the gap and try to seal it up myself. For a few miles my truck drove like new until it my makeshift seal said nah bro you need the real part here I’m not made for this shit. So my local dealership is making sure the big rubber piece comes with the new cover since there’s no good photo or description of the part to show it. Im supposed to call tomorrow morning and figure out it’s just the stamped cover or if it includes the rubber and if so I’ll be buying and replacing and I’ll let y’all know if it’s a cure for this problem as well.

 

I just ordered everything for this. STEERING COUPLING BOOT 45025-04040 is the part with the rubber bushing in it.

 

Thanks I got mine yesterday as well and installed it. I need new tires and an alignment but I feel it did help the steering feel a tiny bit

 

Have you done the steering rack bushings yet?

 

I replaced the whole steering rack. I got lucky a fellow member was cleaning out his garage and had one new he never installed with new bushings. It wasn’t a Toyota part but it’s been fine. I’ve changed upper and lower control arms and bushings tie rods and ends. Rag joint. The only thing I haven’t changed is the lower intermediate shaft with the u joint but it’s tight and smooth as can be.

 

found the fix boys! take a pool noodle with a hole in it, cut a 2" disc and then slice vertical, go in from the top drivers side and push that baby down around the steering column and it fits perfectly in the boot and provides support and air stoppage. $2 fix. that boot ain't doing nothing to keep your column from wobble, shits placebo. use the noodle to stop the draft and provide support. over and out