2nd Gen Steering Wheel Slop

Hmm, it would really suck to have to replace an entire rack for this. I had a mechanic tell me the problem is coming from the heim joint being too stiff and not allowing things to cycle smoothly. Not sure how much truth there is in that statement since they seem to be pretty commonly used without steering issues. I did the upper intermediate shaft zip tie mod and the tac weld before completely replacing it with a ~$250 OEM part only to have the same issue. I also welded some gussets to the outside edge of the steering rack mounts on both driver/passenger sides to keep it from moving whatsoever after replacing the rack bushings with Energy Suspension ones and noticed the bolts had play. What helped alot was to increase the toe at the alignment to .1 on both sides to account for the offset wheels (Icon Rebound) that you need to clear the TC UCAs... One fix leads to other issues.

 

Here's a thread showing those fixes back when I was running Load E tires and thought that might be contributing to the issue (which it was). Every change helps incrementally but the issue is still present ever since putting on the lift.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/stearing-issue-with-falken-wildpeak-load-e-tires.789328/

 

hmm the heim joint thing doesn’t strike me as the issue, as they though have less bind than oem rubber bushings. Or even delrin bushings. Good to know the upper shaft didn’t change too much. Seems like a pain to change it lol

good idea with the alignment. I forget what mine is at. This is another issue for my truck. I’m very skeptical of the LCA Tabs keeping their shape. It’s on the short list to gusset them and then get some square cam tabs so I know the alignment is not shifting and going out on me while off-road or even daily driving.

 

Hmm, yeah. Your results may vary with the intermediate shaft replacement. I just know it didn't work for me. I'm starting to wonder if it's low-quality tie rods OR LCA bushings. I've had multiple alignments from various off road shops and nothing seems to fix the issue. I know the problem seemed to start with the combination of new/larger wheels & tires (285/70R17), new UCAs and new shocks.

Just to verify. Is the issue you're having a wandering feeling needing constant input to maintain a straight line? I find that above 60 mph it needs almost constant correction and feels like a loose/floating feeling in the steering.

Also just noticed this on SPC's website. The uniball is similar to stock UCA according to the chart. I wonder how that 80 degrees of articulation affects steering.

 

hit a pothole out of nowhere on the freeway right front

steering wheel tilted left
With it straight it tracks right

that tells me it knocked the right front tire outward
So I pulled over and adjusted the tie rod inward to suck it in

I don’t see any obvious damage
Idea is I’m trying to get the right front back to straight

however I notice now there’s slop left to right in the steering wheel. Rack is on its last legs anyway.

thinking I broke the tooth in the rack it typically rides on
And/or the smack finally took out a steering shaft u joint
In terms of exacerbating and developing more play in it. Also probably on its last legs.

anyone else deal with something similar before?
Whether that be a pothole impact or something similar like off road

edit: pulled over again
Turned toe in more
Closer to straight
Somehow that play seems gone now
Almost like it never happened…
Maybe the big difference in toe immediately from the hit is what caused that feeling