Steering pinion shaft play

My 06 has a slight amount of vertical play in the steering input pinion shaft.. to the point where it is causing a slight clunk over bumpy roads.

I know I can adjust the guide nut.. tightening it down slightly should remove that play.

But does anyone know.. how do you adjust that inner nut? Is it some kind of special spanner wrench?

 

Are you sure that is the source of the clunk and not the well known rag joint clucking on washboard roads?

Check this thread:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/steering-column-fix.88077/

My first thought is if you don't know how to adjust the pre-load on the rack and pinion maybe you shouldn't screw with it. Just saying...

Loosen the lock nut and use a proper spanner wrench to tighten or loosen.

 

I no longer have a rag joint.. I cut that thing out and bolted the intermediate shaft together.... that doesn't move a single bit...

It's definitely the rack and pinion.. and that's what I thought.. just need to get a spanner wrench that will fit it..

And find a way to adjust it without pulling the rack out.. I just had it out Saturday to change the bushings... not again.. never again..

 

Bump... can't adjust this without pulling the rack

Also... does anyone know how much radial play is normal here? Or should it be tight...

 

It is a set of gears meshing. There has to be some backlash ( clearance ) between the teeth or it will bind and things will break and have excessive wear.

 

Right. I get it should have some mesh play.. but lateral play? Like up down left right??

 

Oh I misunderstood. Not sure what would be considered normal.

 

Looking at the assembly the only thing on that control valve assembly to prevent radial movement is the bearing on that end. There is no adjustment for that type of movement.



As long as it isn't leaking by the seals I wouldn't worry about it. What is the reason for your concern?

The other adjustment you mentioned above in your first post is only for the lash adjustment.

 

I'm chasing down a clunk and rattle in my steering column.. it's a pretty bad clunk offroad.... almost scary actually..

I don't have a rag joint. So I know it isn't that..

I thought adjusting the pinion slide/spring might help.. cause it almost feels like that's where the play is. And the shaft is actually pivoting slightly on that pinion bearing.. hmm..

 

With an 06 it is possible that the control valve bearing is worn or damaged.

 

How common is that? Especially since I just ticked over 100k...

And I love how I first noticed the play after I put energy suspension bushings in there.... is it possible it got damaged from all the flipping and hammering?

 

I wouldn't think it is common at all. Esp with only 100K miles. If it only became noticed after the bushing replacement I would venture that it has always been there and the new bushings made it more obvious. Maybe the energy suspension bushings are the problem. Those bushings are hard and transmit noise and vibrations more than rubber bushings. That and the removal of the rag joint you are going to feel every little thing. The problem seems obvious to me.

 

After some googling... and an adventure onto some corvette forums.. I figured out that it is normal to have some play in there. Apparently the free end of the pinion rides on a "ball stud"..and when the engine is off..there is no hydraulic pressure..

I'm about to go try this with the engine on and report results..

 

Well.... theres still play.. but I may have figured it out...

It may be the lower u joint on the lower shaft... before it hits the rack.. that is way more likely in my opinion.. I already have a new lower shaft... (dealership ordered me the wrong intermediate shaft the first time ) so I'll swap it out this week and report results...

When i install it.. I'm gonna pick up an extra power steering boot.. and cover that u joint up... to protect it from dust and dirt... idk toyota didn't do that in the first place...

 

I agree 100%.