Steering column fix

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/96634-steering-column-rattle-tsb.html

 

I did this mod but than removed it because it seemed to be worse. It wasn't the same sound though. It was more of a knock rather than a fast rattle.

 

trying to debate if i should go get the tsb done. the zip tie fix worked fine for me and i have NO noise...

 

I am in the same boat. I am happy with my fix, but at the same time it would be nice to have a properly engineered part....

 

Thanks for taking the initial flames for what turned out to be a great fix for all of us

 

Nice Avatar!

 

I think this is one TSB i'll jump on. This was the first negative thing I noticed about the truck right after I bought it and the first time it was off the pavement.

 

just had the tsb done on my truck and four brand new rims, steering is def alot more toucher, but now when i get up to around 65mph the steering wheel shakes like a mother, guessing they didnt balance tires good enough

 

I tryed to get my zip tie through the gap and it will not go into the gap. Any tips or other methods? ahhhhh just want to get this damn steering column fixed!!!!

 

Push the lower portion of the column away from you while you try to fit the zip tie into the portion of the gap closer to you. This will create the space needed. Also carefull, the green grommet goes out of its place easily and is F***ING hard to get back there.

 

^^^^^^thanks I will give that a try

 

This thread was a great find. I let go of my 95 Tacoma and picked up a 2005 TRD Off Road. The loose clunk in the steering when over bumps / dirt road was driving me crazy.

After getting "We don't see / feel anything wrong" from a couple of places, I discovered this forum. I found the TSB for it along with this thread and zip tie fix.

Put in the zip tie yesterday ... Like having different truck!

Learning a lot here ... Thanks!

 

My 07 with 28K on it has this knock problem. I thought it was something with how the last owner drove it. I am bummed my truck is out of warrenty so no TSB. I guess I will try this simple fix untill I can afford a new steering shaft.

Thanks

 

Same.
I put a zip tie in (and looped it) and the rattle became 4x more worse. Need to go remove it.

Is there a certain area we should squeeze it into? Or anywhere works?

 

Well, I got the TSB done after 6 trips (yes, SIX) to the dealer. Needed 3 trips to get them to acknowledge the problem and order parts. Then they tore my steering rack boot and needed another trip to get that in. Then they lost two (yes TWO) of my wheel center caps and needed another trip.

Long story short, I still have the problem after the TSB. I wish I had just found this zip tie solution before losing two years of my life expectancy. Will be trying it tomorrow.

 

OK guys,

I tried to do the zip tie fix this morning and here's an update: Since I got the TSB done, they seem to have already tried to take the slack out by replacing the intermediate shaft. Obviously that didn't solve the problem since I still have the clunk/rattle. Bottom line: there wasn't enough room to wedge a zip tie in there. I then tried collar stays. No go. Then tried a piece of steel wire, no go.



Finally, I went to my sewing kit and got the thread separator and hammered it in there.





I haven't driven off road yet to test it, but hoping it solves my most irritating problem with this Tacoma. Also, I guess my mom was right when she said that every man should have a sewing kit.

 

Zip tie fix is working good for me. Did about 40 miles of off road driving last weekend with no issues.

 

Guys, I took it to the dealer, they re-did the entire steering rack TSB but still no dice. Still have the clunk. I am in the unfortunate situation where a TSB is keeping me from applying a home-made zip-tie fix to solve the problem.

Anyone got any ideas?

 

Can someone please tell me why I cannot open the photographs in the orginal post? I can see "photobucket" but nothing will open. Looking for photographs on how to do this if anyone can re-post. Thanks, Jed

 

I'm in a similar boat. Had the TSB done and it's worse. Can't apply the zip tie method now either, so I tried the hammering in the metal thing from the sewing kit that was suggested on the previous page, but that had zero effect so I removed it.

I can recreate the clunk at the wheel by simply pulling up and down on the steering column where the universal joint is. The shaft that is bolted to it doesn't move independantly of the universal joint, but it moves up and down inside the part that it enters closer to the steering wheel. It sounds like wherever the end of that shaft terminates, it's knocking against something which is making the noise and also sending a vibration to the wheel.

Either the shaft is not supposed to move at all, or it is supposed to move and the hidden end of it is supposed to have more room to avoid knocking or have a bumper to hit against. It seems to me that the shaft is intended to move, as the uv joint sits on a rubber disc that flexes easily.

Does anyone know what is going on at the hidden end of this shaft? Is there somewhere that we can see an exploded view, or better yet a photo of the guts? I wonder how hard it is to get in there to have look?