Help me diagnose my steering issue!

Hey guys, I got back for winter break and my truck is handling like absolute shit. It wanders all over the place, wants to dart from one side to the other, and is to the point where I didn't feel safe driving it.

I knew I was due for an alignment so I brought it to the shop and of course they called me about an hour later saying they couldn't align it. The shop said both inner tie rods were blown, as well as the driver side LBJ.

I brought the truck back to my place, jacked it up and tried to see if there was any horizontal play at the wheels...

There was a solid 1/4" of play in either direction, and a very audible clunking sound as well. This was on both sides of the truck, and the clunk happens when I push either left or right on the wheels, but it is more prevalent going left.

What i've done:

So far I have replaced the inner tie rods, checked the outer tie rods for play, and done the steering column slip yoke tack weld mod.

EDIT: I have also replaced the rack bushings about 15k miles ago.

The inners were definitely floppy and in need of replacement, but they did not solve the issue. There was no play in the outers.

The slip yoke definitely had some play, but even after the tack welds, the clunk was still present as well as the play at the wheels.

I took a video of the clunk that I'll try to get uploaded shortly, but in the mean time is there anything else it could possibly be besides the rack itself? I feel like I've eliminated the possibilities on either side of the rack and that the only remaining culprit..



TL;DR

Terrible handling, loud clunk in steering, what could it be? I've already replaced tie rods and done the steering column tack weld.

 

is there play in the rack itself?

 

As in the whole rack moving?

If so, no. The rack itself is not moving at all, I replaced the rack bushings about 15K miles ago.

 

Here's the video.

 

My guess would be something internally on the steering rack.

Talk to Dirty Pool. He's very knowledgeable about that stuff...

 

no i mean the insideof the rack itself. the inside of the rack there are teflon bushings. the main rack rod connects to the inner tie rod. when the bushings wear out this leads to play. pull the boot back and look while moving the tire

 

cant see what front end parts are moving from that video, you need to show from underneath so we can see the point where movement meets a solid part, that's the failure point.

wouldn't hurt to check the wheel bearings as well as the other work since it sounds like its time to renew the whole front end.

also you never mentioned the ball joints were fixed (just that they said one was bad) so replace both upper and lower ball joints because they need replaced if the other parts were worn out plus all 4 only cost $100 combined and take 30 minutes to replace them.

if the movement you feel is inside the steering rack then that's the detail we need to know. if its moving 1/4" then it should be easy to tell us the exact point where it has movement or even video it. if the movement is inside the rack then you need to replaced the steering rack.

 

Thanks for the ideas guys. The GF will be over shortly to help get better videos, since it's hard to turn the wheel, move shit so I can see, and take a video.

 

That 1/4" of movement I mention was how much the tire was shaking each direction. I'll try to get a video of the rack with the boot pulled back to see if there's any visible movement there.

 

FAT Time for a new rack


Problem solved..

 

someone posted about this before I remember. Maybe on the 4R forums. I think the sleeve bushings/guides inside the rack are worn out and need replaced. Believe it's like <$20 and need a 23mm socket or allen. I'll try and find it but can't promise

 

yeah its the bushings inside. After 230k miles its probably more than just the bushings too so i'll just be ordering a new rack. Plus I trust a new rack more than rebuilding an old one myself.

 

here and here

http://www.yotatech.com/f2/how-replace-steering-rack-guide-pictures-215931/


check for the movement at the rack. apparently the roller style guide wears out allowing for the movement.

 

common problem like i said. check out rack doctor .com. they install newteflon bushings. most remanufactured racks dont get new ones....

 

That looks like exactly what I have going on, I guess I'll try that first!

 

Aw shucks

You got a whole lot to consider. Hang on till after chow time.

 

Put the new style rack guide in it. There is a reason Toyota changed the design. IMO this upgrade is a must especially for lifted trucks as the tie rod has to operate at an angle post lift install.

 

dont know if rack is total issue or not but I'd not drag my feet to changing out the LBJ's mke them a priority
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ooks like a bad steering guide
I just replaced mine it took away the clunk over bumps.
New one on the left old on the right