First gen. steering wheel play

We've talked about this before, there is some play in the steering assembly, does anyone know if the 4 runners have/had the same problem?
I was thinking of pulling a 4 runner steering assy from the junk yard if they had better luck.

 

What do you mean by that? play in the steering assembly??

 

there is about an inch and a half of play side to side in the steering wheel, it's in the upper portion of the steering column.

 

this little guy work wonders

 

that's different, I did that too, this is actually in the steering column.

 

I noticed that there are 2 universal joints in the steering column. Maybe one or both are worn or have play in them?

 

i did this also and it was way better for a couple months. the "play" in the steering sucks most when it makes my truck wonder side to side

 

There is a little plastic cover inside the truck on the firewall where the steering column goes through. Remoce the little 10mm screws and pull the cover back and you will see the u-joints. Mine have some slop in them and I'm positive that is the knocking in the steering wheel.

 

nice, I'll go check it out!

 

My steering wanders quite a bit too...Would worn steering rack bushings cause this?

 

Abso-tively! (yes)

Get the Energy Suspension Uretahne steer rack bushing kit. Cheap and effective

 

My rack was moving around also. I replaced the bushings and feel absolutely no difference

 

How many miles on your truck?

 

Subscribed.. I hate loose steering.

 

140k

 

the steering on my 03 prerunner is very tight, much more so than my previous nissan frontier's.

 

Is this what Toyota quality means? Poorly designed/manufactured steering component leading to premature wear?

So far in ownership of the Taco, I have not perceived a single benefit of the "toyota quality"

Mine at 78K exhibits this looseness...

 

Weird, my 04 Pre Runner 2wd had over 150K when I totaled it. Never a problem with steering, etc. My 03 I did replace steer rack bushings, only because I removed a DB lift and had to reweld #2 crossmember back, and the stock bushings were burnt. My 03 has only 80K. Now (without 6" DB lift/315's) truck is tight, and drives straight. With the big lift/tires/old bushings it WAS all over the road. I suppose a combo of probs related to that POS lift and 'too big for Tacoma' tires.

 

those with steering play, be sure to check your tie rod ends.


while replacing the rack bushings will prevent the rack itself from moving, if your TRE's are bad, you'll still get play ..and probably some clunking.

 

It's the steering column.