Resistance in steering wheel when turning left

Hi there,

A few weeks ago my steering wheel started to make an odd clicking/scraping noise when turning left. I wrote it off as odd and kept going about my business. Now (sometimes) when I turn left there is considerable resistance in the wheel. After some googling I think the clock spring is the culprit. Has anyone else run into issues like this? I've seen this issue in the 2nd gen forums more, but there aren't a lot of 1st gen threads on this.

Thanks,
MacGyvR

 

Follow up question: Parts geek has the clock spring for less than $40, but autozone has it for $265. Where would you guys buy the clock spring?

 

Honestly, for that one (if it turns out to be the clockspring) - I'd go with OE and of course I am going to point you in the direction of Camelback Toyota (@gunny1005) since they have become my go-to source for OE.
https://parts.camelbacktoyota.com/parts/2003/Toyota/Tacoma/Pre Runner/index.cfm?siteid=214329

Airbag plugs into it and damn if I certainly wont chance some cheap aftermarket thing messing up my airbag - just my way of looking at it

 

Retired 1st gen owner here!
I sold my 2000 and found my way into a 2005 a few months later.
I'm very familiar with the stiff steering on the 2nd gens, and here's what actually causes it!


To answer your question, No that is not actually why the steering is stiff. In this video, the steering is very loose. The steering gets stiff because that U-joint is unprotected. It develops some surface rust, making the steering bind. Then you feel it in the steering wheel, fight it a little bit, and you grind a little bit of the rust away. Then it happens again. So you fight it again.
After a while, the U-joint gets worn down and very loose.

This is one of the many possible causes of stiff steering.
Another one is the rack going bad, one way or another. Some steering racks have a tendency to get water in them (or if you have a torn inner bellows). If you get moisture inside the rack, then the piston can develop rust, pitting etc. If it is rusted in a certain spot, then it can create resistance.
One time I was replacing my inner tie rod, and a bunch of water came out of the bellows!


To actually answer your question about the clock spring - I think that would be last on my list of possible causes of stiff steering. I would lean very heavily toward something mechanical - steering shafts, U-joints (there are 2 or 3), low power steering fluid, bad rack, bad P/S pump, a physical obstruction in your wheel well area, etc.

 

what makes you suspect the clocksping?

 

I was thinking it would be the clock spring as it felt like something related directly to the steering wheel (vs the rack and pinions). There's also the strange noise coming directly from the steering wheel. It's like a raspy clicky squeak that comes from behind the steering wheel. But you guys have a good point, maybe it is something a bit more serious than that. I was hoping it would be something simple I could swap out.

I did have the steering rack replaced a few months ago, so I'm feeling good that it's not the rack. The mechanic mentioned my upper and lower control arms are due to be replaced. Could it be related to that?

 

It’s about time I updated this thread. I gave the dealer my vin and ordered a new intermediate shaft. I replaced it, but I’m still getting binding issues. I took the truck into a mechanic before I moved and mentioned I had replaced the intermediate shaft, and he mentioned I replaced a different part.

Here is a picture of what I replaced and where it went. Based on the diagrams I’ve seen for the 1st gens, that’s the intermediate steering shaft. Am I wrong?


Doesn’t really seem like a “shaft” to me. Can anyone help point me in the right direction? Looking to take care of the binding issue so I can get the truck registered in Texas.

EDIT:
Source diagram for 1st gens

 

You can remove the clock spring and test in the driveway to see if it still binds without it. If you need another you could try the junk yard. They usually don't bind unless you remove the steering wheel and over turn it to one side by accident. It has sticker instructions on the face for how to center it.

 

have you tried putting the front up on jack stands and having someone turn the wheel? maybe you can see if there is/where the noise is coming from (grinding). or if there is any noticeable part that seems to be causing the restriction.

as well, just because the rack was replaced doesn't mean it can't be bad. as with anything, even new can be bad or have a defect

 

That's true. The clock spring noise seems to have calmed down. My bigger concern is with the binding. I really have to manhandle it sometimes to get the wheel to turn, and other times it sticks and doesn't return to center after completing a turn. Most of my research points to the intermediate steering shaft, but the only information I seem to find on that relates to 2nd gens.

 

Did you try turning the wheel when the intermediate shaft was removed? Don't spin it more than normal though, or it would damage the clockspring.

 

Has to be some sort of carrier bearing also up under the dash for the column. I would think prob. a pair of them.

 

But wouldn't a bearing make it difficult to turn in both directions?

 

I s'pose you are right. I forgot that strange tidbit.

I guess I'd tear that thing all apart and check every stage of operation.
Sounds like the rack has a spur though.