Steering column fix

My 3 week old '14 TRD Off Road does it. I have already acquired the TSB shaft and will do it myself, just like on the '09.

Spent some time comparing the TSB shaft with the non-TSB shaft a couple of years back using calipers and the whole works. Beats me what the difference is. The only thing I can figure is the green plastic bushing in the middle may be less likely to deform and form a gap. Also, not sure but the material of rag joint might be a bit more stiff.

The parts manuals show the replacement shaft for '11+ trucks use the non-TSB shaft ending in part no. -10. The TSB shaft ends in part no. -20.

 

Im getting the rattle/clunk sound over small bumps, washboard, small pothole etc. It sounds like the suspension. The steering is ok though. Could this possibly be where the noise is coming from?

 

I've never looked at it. Do you have a photo of the unmodified assembly?

 

So after a weekend of rugged terrain with the zip tie fix, I'm sad to say it did not handle it as well as I would hope. Instead of being able to fit a single larger piece in there like shown in this thread, I was only able to get 2 smaller pieces in there...and that could have been part of the issue. 1 of them broke and the other just fell out once the first one broke since it was not tight enough to hold it in there anymore.

Now a thicker tie to start with would probably hold up better and I'm certainly not frowning on this fix as I really do think it's a good idea. In my case I will either tack weld it in a couple spots or have a bronze sleeve made to tighten everything up. I may go for the rag joint replacement mod as well next time I'm fiddling around in there.

 

I had the TSB done by the dealer and it made no difference in the rattle! I'm not even sure the dealer really did the work. I wish I had of marked the old part before I took it in.

 

So desperately want to try this in my 2012 DCSB SR5 but I can't get a small sized zip tie in there. I have a lot of play and vibration in my steering wheel and it seems this is the cause. Anyone else notice the rivets say "China" on them....?

 

Why not take it to the dealer and have it fixed under warranty?

 

"Cannot duplicate" and the "truck is solid" is what I got. I have way too much going on in life to fight with them right now and I'm doubting the TSB fix will solve it. I still have some time before warranty runs out.

 

Wow! I took mine in, told them about the TSB and they fixed it without question. Maybe try another dealer if there's another one close by.

 

Soooo I do all my own maintenance since I have long travel. I am very familiar with steering components on these trucks having replaced my rack, pump and lines multiple times. I have terrible slop in my steering and my truck wonders all over the freeway so I thought I would give this zip tie mod a try.

It did nothing for me and upon further inspection my whole steering column, connecting rod down to the rack are all moving in unison when I wiggle the steering wheel. There appears to be slop in my steering rack where the steering column connects to the rack, this is not surprising since I beat the hell out of my steering and it comes with the added suspension.

Just wanted to share some food for thought to ppl with steering slop. I am 90% sure the rack is just getting a little loosey goosey and could use replacement if I want tight steering again.

 

How much free play you figure you got in the steering? Toyota specs. a whopping 30mm (1 1/4in.) maximum play measured on the outside of the steering wheel. Yea right, I want my 21st century truck to drive like a 1949 Chevy pickup I had.

 

Good idea it feels much better now...zip tie rocks...

 

Have not heard of this issue yet. Thinking of cutting some delrin shims for when the time comes.

 

Thanks TOYOTA 09 for the the idea. I went ahead and made two small spacers (one for each side) out of sheet aluminum. I put a lip on the top edge to keep it from sliding down, then rounded it slightly. Went for a short drive and it felt fine and stayed in place. I'll check it again in a few days.

 

What about a fuel line or a rubber line cut in half? Wouldnt that work?

 

I thought about something like that, but it would have to be quite thin and may eventually slip down.

 

Anybody have this issue with a 2014? Mine has done this since day one and its worse with the steering wheel "telescoped" out.

 

a coke can sounds like a good option too...

 

Ok, I tried this with my 2014. I could not get anything in there-even a small zip tie. I feel the play, but I am unable to wedge anything in there-even if I pull on the bottom shaft. I can get it in a few mm, but that's it. How on earth do you get it in there?

With it wedged in there It does seem more solid, but I could not expect it to stay put.

 

This actually sounds like a good idea. It's thin enough to slip in there and if a single layer isn't enough you could double it up. Might give this a shot next time I get a few minutes to fuss around with it.