Excessive play in steering and memory steering loss

Hi,

My name is David and I am new to TacomaWorld! I am experiencing a problem. I have a 2014 Black Toyota Tacoma Crew Cab 4.0 L 4WD. my truck previously had Bilstein 5100 struts with stock spring but now has Bilstein 6112 struts in the front and Bilstein 5100 shocks in the rear. It has Elevate Suspension uniball upper control arms. It has been experiencing a lot of play in the steering wheel and has lost memory steering. I have taken it to mechanics and off road shops and they said my steering rack looks fine. The shop that installed control arms said that I need to “break in” the control arms and that’s why it is doing that which is BS by the way. I have gotten so many alignments in the past month and I know it is not that. I have extended warranty under CarMax and I’m probably going to have the steering rack replaced to see if the issue is resolved. Has anyone had this issue? Does anyone have an idea? This is causing me anxiety at this point that multiple mechanics said that they don’t see anything wrong. It was having this issue before the aftermarket control arms.

 

How much lift? Post alignment specs

 

What is memory steering?

If you are talking about center bias of the steering wheel, post your last alignment specs.

If the mechanics say the rack is fine, don’t just shoot blindly. Don’t replace parts until you locate the problem.

Also how many miles do you have on the UCA’s? How many on the LCA’s? (If you don’t know, assume it’s the same mileage as the vehicle.) How many on the 6112’s?

 

Have you jacked the truck up and given each front tire a firm shake at 12 and 6 o’clock, then 9 and 3? There should be no play or knocking sounds, except from the steering column if the steering wheel locks.

Who installed you UCA’s?

Where do you get your alignments done?

 

Let’s see those alignment specs.

 

I’ve attached the specs. I believe the truck has 2-2.5 inches of lift

 

You sure something isn't worn and seized up in the steering or ball joints?

 

Just curios. What tire and wheel did you go with? What PSI do you run?

 

Memory steering is when a vehicle’s steering wheel doesn’t naturally return to the center after a turn. I have gotten the lower controls replaced under warranty three times. They are very new and not even up to 300-400 miles on them. The off road shop warrantied the upper control arms to make up for it. They are very new with maybe 300-400 miles on them. 6112 are brand new got them last week. I’ve had this issue before they changed the upper control arms.

 

I run Method Race Wheels MR316 with 0 offset and 4.75 backspacing. I’m not sure of how much PSI I run in the tires.

 

I got my UCA’s installed at 4 Wheel Parts. They also did my alignment. I have also done my alignment at a local shop and another off road shop. They are elevate suspension uniball upper control arms. I remember having this issue before the upper control arms were replaced. The shop that did the 6112, SSD Motorsports broke the control arm uniball loose and reinstalled it and it still does the same thing. I honestly don’t like going to 4 Wheel Parts. They are no help. They told me I am having this issue is because I have to “break in” the control arms. That’s BS!! My truck is not driveable at this point!

 

I think this is the issue tbh. I’ve taken it to multiple mechanics and off road shops and they couldn’t diagnose it. It’s in a shop right now that I usually go to for Carmax repairpal so hopefully they figure out the problem.

 

Lifted trucks can use more caster than spec. They actually removed caster during the alignment which is just the opposite of what they should have done. Caster also is what drives return to center with more being better. Manufacturers tend to limit caster in the specs as it adds to steering effort.

 

I understand that. I’ve already had the caster maxed out last time to stop the rubbing. Something tells me has to do with the intermediate shaft or steering rack.

 

It could use a tad more caster imo, I'm up around 3-3.5 degs and it drives on rails

Check the steering shaft universal joint and seeing it's getting sticky from rust. Spray it with wd-40 and see if that helps

 

Okay. I will let them know.

 

How much would a new steering rack or intermediate shaft replacement be for my Tacoma? I’ve read between $1300-$1600 dollars. They told me yesterday that my warranty might not cover it because my truck is lifted but they’ve been doing warranty work with my truck lifted.

 

The mechanic drove it and he said it drives great. They checked EVERYTHINGGGGGG. This makes me feel like I am crazy. Could it be upper control arms?

 

Id start with the alignment first before just throwing parts at it. I’d ask for 3.5-4* of positive caster, 0-.5 positive camber and 0-.5 toe in. My personal truck is 4.0 caster, .5 positive camber and toe in. Everyone is a bit different. What I think feels great others might say it’s a bit tight.