Rattling Steering Wheel When Idling on my 97 Taco

Hi all, I am new to the forum as a proud owner of a 1997 4 cylinder Toyota Tacoma with around 170,000 miles on it. Almost new! It runs like a dream and I don’t know how I lived without it. I have one problem which the forums have not addressed that I can see. There’s a vibration in the steering wheel only when it’s idling at a light. It’s reasonably loud but I can stop it with my left knee or hand pressure on the left side of the wheel at around 7 o’clock pushing towards 1 o’clock. I read all the threads about using a zip tie on the steering wheel column at floor level but this doesn’t seem like the same issue. Thank you all for any thoughts!

 

Welcome to TacomaWorld
Tilt wheel ?

 

No, fixed steering wheel

 

Check the steering rack mounting.

 

I have a 97 with 167K with the exact same issue!

 

Some of us have done the steering shaft tac weld mod. This is a fairly common problem and fix on 1st gens.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/steering-wheel-play-tac-weld-fix.309681/

 

Hi Digiratus and Black DOG Lila,
Thanks for your responses. I looked at all the links for tack welds and even zip ties and what I see looks nothing like my steering column between the floor and below the dash. I have a 1997 Taco, manual shift 4 speed, no air bags, fixed wheel, no boot over the steering column where it meets the floor. This photo shows it. Did this all change after 1997?

 

Steering rack is under cab mounted to frame cross member.

 

It may look different because you are a 5 lug but the concept is no different. You are looking for play in the steering system. It could be anywhere between the steering wheel itself and where the tie rod ends attach to the steering knuckle at the front wheels.

You might consider checking out what is happening in the various sections of the entire steering system. For instance, based on the pic, grab hold of the steering shaft where it goes through the floor. At the same time, move the steering wheel slightly, back and forth. Is there play or looseness between those two points?