2010 Tacoma Steering

I bought my first Tacoma a few months ago, 2010 SR5 4 door 6 foot bed. I love it, but one thing was the steering was very loose and it wandered a lot. I was told it could be ball joint and alignment, did the ball joint then when I went for alignment, told I need Lower steering shaft needed to be replaced, so did that, then alignment. Fixed most of the loose steering but still seems to require more frequent ‘adjustments’ than I would say normal? Took it back in and they said I needed a drivers side CV boot (same side as ball joint). So did this also. It again feels slightly better but I still feel there’s something not 100%, still need to make more minor steering corrections than I think I should. I really notice it more when my wife drive as it looks like she’s constantly adjusting. Any suggestions?

 

Welcome to Tacoma World. First off, it's a truck and it's going to handle like a truck, which is to say it may require a bit more correction than your typical minivan. Second, it sounds like you are still going through and doing maintenance. I'd suggest doing a power steering flush and also double checking the condition of your tie rods. Tires that are worn or improperly balanced, as well as old worn-out suspension can also impact steering characteristics. Start checking those off one-by-one and eventually you'll get it dialed back in. Good luck.

 

Welcome To TW..

 

There is another steering shaft between the lower shaft and the steering wheel. Access it inside the cab. It has a u joint in it that can go bad. Check that joint for slop.

 

These older TW threads are about steering issues:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/front-end-steering-loose-play.165882/

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/steering-rack-steering-flutter-tsb.5227/

This one is people reporting back after said repairs were done. There was a Technical Service Bulletin for the intermediate steering shaft. TSB has long since expired.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...-steering-intermediate-shaft-tsb-done.130167/

 

Hey, can you give me a little description on how to get to that joint? Or where in the cab I can access it? I got new tires put on a couple weeks ago and ever since then my 2013 Tacoma four-wheel-drive has been handling like absolute shit. Steering is extremely loose. Like to make a regular left hand turn my steering wheel has to go upside down. I didn’t alignment. I replace the wheel bearing, which is what I initially thought it was and it’s still pretty fucked.