Bumpy Suspension - 1st gen

Hello all, First Thread here!

Just replaced my steering rack bushings on my 2002. it went well, and helped a lot.

I still have some issues before its as smooth as i would like through

i did the tire check - jacked it up, wiggled tire right and left/up and down - with no play or noise

but when i drive and hit a bump driving - it wiggles and feels, not as solid as i would like.

also - there is about 3/4'' play in the steering wheel before the tire moves - no resistance type of play.

any help would be appreciated. i was going to do the ball joints just to see where that took me. but any tests/guidance would be great - thanks

 

More details on the truck would be good. How long have you owned it, how many miles, what else has been done to it, etc...

The slop in steering is pretty common, and can either be the collapsing mechanism in the steering column, or the tie rod ends (inner and/or outer). Rack bushings were a good first step, tho. If you’ve got over 100k miles, I would go ahead and replace the tie rods ends and the ball joints, too.

If you can feel slop in the ball joints (wheel test), they are WAY out of spec, and long past due to replace. If the rubber boots are torn, definitely replace the ball joints.

Other things that might give a “sloppy” ride are worn out shocks and control arm bushings, too.

There is a fix for the slop in the collapsing shaft of the steering column, but IMO that can compromise it’s ability to collapse in a crash, but many have done it and are happy with the results.

 

First - thanks for the response

2002 Tacoma - SR5
112k miles
third owner
Stock everything from what i see.
no offroading - very clean - all in Virginia beach ( no/little snow salt)

ill do the ball joints and the tie rod ends... i can deal with the slop in the steering wheel for now - but now i just want it to ride like the rugged taco she is...

thanks again...

any other inputs?

 

Welcome to TW,pics of the truck,we need and want pics!!!

 

Hey guys, I am likewise experiencing a similar feeling to @peterpadlock 's description.

If you guys have any suggestions on the best way to diagnose exactly what might be loose that would be awesome!

I was thinking of also starting with the steering rack bushings, then maybe the swaybar and endlinks but im really not sure what the best order/where to spend money first is.

The looseness from my experience is usually only when both wheels hit a bump on the road but was definitely very noticeable on rougher dirt roads and going over bumps.

some truck info:
2003 3.4L
215,000 kms (133,000miles)
Had frame replaced 1 year ago along with most suspension parts
Second owner
First time off-road was last week (when I REALLY noticed the issue for first time)

Hope this isn't interfering with original posts just hoping to get more info/help!

Thanks!

 

alright guys - so i went out and messed with it some more - the drivers side inner tie rod i believe is the culprit... here are photos of everything - although they look rusty and everything - there isn't any play up or down ...

the " side to side" zip file is a video of me shaking it left/right

let me know guys!

thanks again

 

A really popular

Things that contribute to “loose” suspension: ball joints, tie rod ends, control arm bushings, shocks, wheel bearings, steering rack, even springs. Basicially, anything that moves.

What do you mean “most” suspension parts were replaced? Whatever was replaced is *most likely* not the culprit, so go after what is left.

 

Aright - i had the day off and wanted to get after something

i did the inner/outer tie rods on both sides.
this helped a lot - in fact - it cured the problem i had - but there is more

when i back out of my drive way - there is a 4'' dip... and i'm turning, backing up, and then i hit the 4'' dropoff lets say where the driveway meets the road... and there is like a "clunk" feeling - like its not rubber/sturdy.

any guesses on that - im guessing ill be doing my upper/lower ball joints next...

any thoughts?

https://youtu.be/Sk4wZKKtGWY - a very non-instructional funny video of me replacing the tie rods...