Steering column fix

saw this thread last night and decided to take a look. I have a '15 Tacoma and that knock in the column was one of the first things I noticed about the truck. I have a couple big speed bumps on a street in my neighborhood. I decided to try the ziptie fix last night and tested it this morning. all good now so far. didn't happen all the time but was noticeable when it did do it. thanks for the quick easy fix

 

This sounds even better, than making knobs on tires with a chainsaw! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4p6UjrJl6A0

 

I had my doubts and have stumbled across this thread several times the last couple of years but I decided to try this zip tie shim fix and it seems to have eliminated my sloppy steering over bumps. After removing the white plastic nuts and cover I noticed some play in the joint when pushing on the lower section. I was able to wedge in a zip tie barely with needle nose pliers then I cut off the excess. It instantly tightened the joint 100% when pushing on it. There is no play now. When replacing the cover, the white plastic nuts just simply push back on, no need to screw them back on. I don't know to what degree the placebo effect is a factor but this mods seems to have cured the sloppy steering over speed bumps and rough roads.

 

After a week of enjoying my tighter steering feel with much less slop and bump steer I wondered if I was going crazy and it was getting worse again so soon. I thought maybe the zip tie fell out. I waited a couple days and paid close attention to the steering feel. Today I took off the cover to investigate. The zip tie was indeed still there but the rag joint had some play in it.... again. It wasn't nearly as loose as it was to begin with but it had loosened itself just a little. I managed to wedge another zip tie in there and it now is tight again. This leaves me wondering how long it will last.......

 

sub'd

 

Amazing that the issue exists & even more amazing that such a simple mod can make such a big difference! Thanks.

 

Did this today, anyone notice increased vibration in the wheel after the zip tie mod?

 

Yes I did it on my 2012 and it seemed to be worse. The actual "rattle" may be diminished but now I can feel every bump, crack, joint in the pavement. Never tried off road. Pulled it out and seems better.....really wishing it would have worked for me.

 

The issue I'm getting is more of a vibration at speed. Not sure if it's related or not. The "clunking" is dramatically improved.

 

The fix detailed by Passion4Outdoors on 7/20/14 worked perfectly!

 

subd

 

For those that are feeling every bump and crack in the road now know the purpose of the rag joint.

Try this fix by Passion4Outdoors:

See post # 11

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/steering-column-final-fix.277292/#post-9400594

 

Wow what a different a 1" piece of zip tie makes!!

This is why I spend time on TW.

Thanks!!

 

Ok I did this today.. Aggravating as hell clunky steering! Got under dash and rocked the steering wheel back and forth and you can actually see the play in the bushing - grommet that gets worn.. Took an old credit card and made 2 nice strips and installed.. Presto .. Klunk and play gone

 

Hey all, reviving an old thread here. I tried the zip tie mod, I was actually able to squeeze 4 of them in there. It still rattles over bumps. Any other ideas?

 

Well, They do sell many sizes (length AND Thickness And Width) of the zip ties. Perhaps a much larger one would help???

 

That could be it. I think I started off with one too large, and now too small. Could someone who has done this mod successfully tell me what size they used?

 

Just added the zip tie and works well. Not sure why some are having issues doing this. It a 10 min job. Find a tie that pulls in tight. Most ties are tappered at the start so they go in easily then tighten as you pull it in

 

Check out post #11 of this thread. Solid idea to eliminate the clunk without welding or permanent modification.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/steering-column-final-fix.277292/#post-9400594

It's on my list of things to do!

 

I read that post and I'm not sure that will eliminate the clunk. When you under there you can easily duplicate the noise by moving the shaft side to side, not up and down. Inserting the zip tie stops the noise by eliminating the clearance between the inner shaft and outside bore.