Steering clunk remedy...

I have wanted a Toyota Tacoma for a long time and after finally purchasing one, I found the steering clunk to be annoying as hell. Also, steering was significantly sloppy and I was starting to regret my purchase.

I started doing research on it and found it was a common problem, and people just threw zip ties or welded the center shaft to the rag joint. I tried the zip tie and wasn't impressed.

My wifes car is a very similar platform, the Lexus GX470. The steering is phenomenal. Based on the Toyota 120 Platform (4Runner, FJ, Prado.) I decided to utilize the 120 platforms linkage (upper and lower intermediate shafts) You can probably get by with finding the lower one out of a junkyard if you can find it. The new upper you need new.

Parts are as follows

Upper shaft with rag joint 4522060140
Lower Shaft 4520360120
Sliding Yoke 4521935160

The splines on the steering rack side and the steering column side match, the one's in the middle are the reason for the different yoke.

The whole setup needs to be extended approx 1.5inches. You can either have the upper shaft extended, or the lower. I chose the lower because the upper rag joint had pressed material, and I did not want to mess with the the bushings or shaft itself.

I had a local fabricator do this for me with some steel for $40.

all in all I think I was out about $460 but the truck has firm, tight, almost lexus quality steering. I was going to kick around the idea of throwing the Lexus Rack in there as well, but that is for another time.
If you have any questions just PM me.

 

Your truck have a lift on it? I've been wanting to do something about my steering for a while too, but also have a 4" lift. The truck steers but is sloppy as hell!

 

I have clunk from steering, but I think mine may be control arm related. Uniballs are a bitch.

My steering shaft is set perfectly and was actually from the factory. Very surprising.

 

Yes, it has an Icon Stage 6 iirc and an extra leaf in the back. I believe it to be 4" as well. I purchased it with this kit. My trucks steering was sloppy as all get out. Steering wheel would wobble (like it was loose) but the truck would track strait.

I thought it was my LCAs but they are brand new.

 

Mine are about a year and a half old, but every time I make turns I can hear it amplified around the spindle area. Using a long screwdriver to pinpoint the sound it is either in the upper or the lower control arms.

 

Zip tie works fine...seems like a lot of work and money to change the whole assy out?

 

i got 3 small zip ties in mine and it steers nice and tight now.

Been tempted to pull it out and just weld the sumbitch, but thats alotta work n road vibes might make it annoying.

 

I just plugged those part numbers in and found all three for roughly $260 before shipping.

 

Yeah, I went with genuine toyota parts. YMMV, but the other versions didn't seem up for the mod challenge. The Rag joint portion I would definitely get from toyota/lexus, but the lower shaft, you just really need the splined joints. Yoke you can probably get away with 3rd party too.

 

My zip tie portion had 4 zip ties in it. Sorry, it's just a band aid to a better solution for some.

 

Can anyone share pics of where they installed the zip ties?

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/steering-column-fix.88077

 

Sorta reviving this topic from the dead.. but if OP is still active, has this steering fix held up for you?? I need to replace my upper intermediate shaft, and its close to $300 for the tacoma one. This will be the same price for both