02 tacoma bad inner tie rod? Need help.

Looking for some help. I just changed out my steering rack bushings only to find that there is still movement in the steering rack. At this point I’m not sure if I need to replace the inner tie rods or the outer or even both, just hope I don’t need to replace the whole rack. Let me know what you guys think.

Here is a video to show the movement:
https://youtu.be/kWgf8qillV4

 

Check if you have vertical play in the rack on the driver's side while the truck is jacked up.

 

Whoa. There's the rack guide fix that takes care of some looseness in the rack. That seems like a good deal of play though. @Speedytech7

 

lol beat my tag

 

Little late I already replied....

 

Hence speedy

 

I’ll give it a try tomorrow morning.
If there is vertical movement, dose that confirm that it’s the inner rods?

 

No that would point to it being the rack guide bushing (replaceable). Inner tie rods are pretty cheap and easy to replace anyway though if they do end up being the cause.

 

You can check the inner rods by jacking up only one front wheel and trying to turn it with your hands, if there is excessive play then it is a tie rod and you can narrow it down by trying either side while the other is on the ground.

 

If it’s the rack guide bushing, is that a more complicated installation?

 

Not too bad just need a 24mm socket, ratchet, large channellocks, and a coupler from home Depot to change it. The part itself is like $60.

 

What rack bushings did you get OP? I need to get some myself - not sure about Energy Suspension or Total Chaos?

 

The energies are worth it man, got a spare set too if you need some.

 

I got some from Auto zone because I’m limited on time. I’ll probab order energy suspension ones Next week.

 

I'm kinda curious about the 1 inch play that I have in my steering wheel. It had it before I replaced the steering rack and still has it. Power steering unit?

 

Did you get a whole new rack with inner and outer tie rods? If so have you considered the tac weld mod / roll pin mod?

 

I did. Thx, I saw that post somewhere. I'll check it out.

 

I know this is an old thread, but I'm having the exact same issue and cant find any other thread with conclusive fixes. Did this end up fixing your issue or was it inner tie rods?
@BlackPearl

 

Swapped out the outer tie rods and inner and that fixed the problem for me. Mine where bent up pretty good.