Rack and Pinion Troubleshooting

I replaced the rack maybe 2 years ago with a parts truck I bought that was wrecked, and used the rack and pinion out of it to replace mine due to a leak. Worked great for a couple months, but it’s been leaking ever since then
Never really had problems with the steering seemed alright to me just had to top off the power steering pump every now and then.
Recently on a 2 lane highway on my way home I was following a dump truck running 55Mph, and a car decided to pull out in front of the Dump truck causing them to lock up causing me to lock up. Called the cops made sure everyone was ok then left Bc i wasn’t part of the collision
It was maybe 5 minutes down the road I was braking Bc a car was making a right turn and I completely lost control of my truck for a few seconds it just zigged zagged to a stop. When I went to take off again i felt resistance driving forcing it to drive straight I pulled over and my tires were toed in. Looked to see if something was broken but nothing looked out of the norm. After locking completely to right and left it was back to being straight and proceeded driving with caution got to a stop sign and did it again as I was gently braking and locked it to left and right and repeated that 2 more times till I got home. Not sure if it’s a brake issue with one caliper locking up or if it’s my actual steering rack
Tried diagnosing what it might’ve been but inner and outer tire rods look good nothing moves or got loose lower ball joints are brand new uppers maybe a year old I also recently installed bilstien 5100 with ome 882 spring new sway bar links and new LCA bushings and camber bolts not sure what to narrow it down too now just thinking about replacing rack and pinion but figured I’d ask for some help and recommendations

 

Subbed for thoughts, I have the exact same issue of zig zagging when I brake (mine only does it when I brake hard) definitely not a caliper sticking because I replaced both calipers when my issue started... this king it's tie rod ends on the rack not ball joints.


Also, is this on your 2018?

 

This is on my 99 Tacoma
So you think it’s my inner or outer tie rod?

 

Nice same generation as mine... what year was the replacement rack from? Our older one has a roller instead of a guide that loosens up easier than the racks from 01-04... not that I think it has anything to do with it


My gut says it's the outer tie rod ends but I honestly have no idea, I know all my suspension parts are old as dirt and need replaced cause I can grab the outer ends and easily move them by hand

 

My replacement rack was out of a wrecked 2001 Tacoma idk if that makes a difference I thought they were the same and I’ll double check but outer tie rods seem good idk how to tell on my inner tie rods

 

If there is enough play in the rack to allow drastic steering issues when braking, I would bet you can feel it if you jack up the truck and grab your tire at 3 and 9 position and try to move it.

I think you would see/feel the movement in the rack pistons (or whatever they are called) that move the tie rods.

Could also have someone turn the wheel while stationary (with the truck on the ground) and watch for play in the rack bushings if they are old.

 

Rack bushings look good but I’ll double check them and I’ll try lifting the truck up and checking for movement. Do I lock the steering wheel to check for movement?

 

Not sure which would be best, honestly, but that’s what I would do. Maybe try with locked and unlocked

 

UPDATE: I pulled the trigger and changed out the rack and pinion with a reman rack. Also installed new outer tie rods and new high pressure line and return line. Everything checks out good no leaks anymore steering is tighter but when I went to drive it it did the same thing and when i went to make a U turn the steering wheel didn’t spring back to straight had to turn it back myself then it was off center after turning the wheel from lock to lock it seemed to fix itself. when I installed everything I made sure steering wheel was center so this leads me to believe my problem is in my steering assembly could it be the u joints or a bearing or is it possible the nut holding my steering wheel is loose any suggestions? I don’t know where to start looking to fix this issue

 

Oof, sorry to hear that my dude. At least you’ve got a new power steering system in place!

I do not have any knowledge of the steering system between the steering wheel and the rack, but I agree with your assessment that the problem is in there somewhere.

Hope someone with more knowledge comes by to help you out.

 

I had a problem with steering not returning to center on a car before. It was the steering shaft u joint seizing up. Spraying it down with lube and turning the wheel a few times lock to lock fixed it until the next winter where it would happen again after it corroded some more. No idea on the zig zagging

 

I just replaced lower ball joints and outer tie rods and it cleaned up my zig zag while breaking issue. However I still have zig zagging when I hit a heavy pot hole.

I noticed the bushings on my driver side lower control arm had play in them so I'll see if changing that helps.


@Ruizbau2699 When you bought your reman rack did it come with new inner tie rod ends as well? I know I still need to change those on mine

 

yessir I’m glad I got the whole power steering all ruled out plus had to be done leaked like crazy. She’s clean as a whistle now maybe I’ll be allowed to park on the driveway again lol
But I appreciate the help hopefully I can figure this thing out and get her on the road again

 

I’ll have to check the u joint out if I’m not wrong I believe there’s only one u joint at the firewall but I was also wondering is it possible it’s the clock spring not returning to the correct position and causing it to do that not sure it would cause that much trouble

 

Yessir replaced all those things prior to having issue got LCA bushings, LCA ball joint, sway bar links, and yes the reman rack came with new inner tie rods so I put on new outer tie rods not sure what else to check on front that would cause that zig zag I’m gonna eventually upgrade to tundra brakes see if that helps with zig zag but I think my main problem right now is in my steering wheel shaft or u joint Bc the steering wheel just gets all funky If I turn full lock to a certain side and just won’t spring back center