Steering wheel play

http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q...C46B71BC7A0FC0FB3AD0C46B71BC7A0FC&FORM=VRDGAR

 

There's a YouTube video showing how to do it.
Search: Tacoma loose steering

 

Replaced steering rack bushings and outter tie rods today. Needed both. I still have some play in the rack tho when i turn the wheel? Is that normal?

 

you sure its the rack and not just the inner tie rods giving you that play?

I don't "think" there is supposed to be any play in the rack at all but don't really know definatively

 

I checked the inner today and they had no play at all. I yanked and pushed but nothing.

 

get a helper and climb under truck, sometimes the connection between the steering arm and the rack is the problem, either way, with a helper moving the wheel and your eyes on it at that location, you can 100% confirm where the play is at, if its in the rack or in the steering wheel

 

Just an update to my scenario. Brought in for a alignment check. It was way toed out after the dealer did the frame and shitty alignment.

New alignment feels better but still wandered at highway speeds. Constantly felt the need to correct my steering.

I pulled my wheel and shaft assembly out and welded the shaft. Holy moly does it feel better! The steering is really tight with no slop.

I didn't disconnect the shaft from the wheel, just welded it with everything in place. The biggest pita was the tilt springs.

I'd encourage anyone who's steering rattles or wanders to do this tack weld mod.

Here's a pic of my buddies shop, where I welded it, just showing off his hot rods

 

Imma try to bring back this thread and hope for a response. I just ordered some oem inner and outer tie rods, that was a pretty penny. I really hope it’s my tie rods and not just the steering shaft as I already ordered all the tie rods. When you have you truck jacked up in the air, could you notice the play when at 9 and 3. With my truck jacked up i can push on the wheels and I have movement at 9 and 3

 

Play at 9 and 3 could be just about anything in the steering. The most common spot on 1st gens other than the rack mount bushings is a worn "rack guide". It allows the steering rack shaft to move up and down which translates to apparent play at the wheel.
Jack her up, pull the driver side rack boot back and heave ho up and down on the rack side of the inner tie rod.
Link to replacing the guide can be found with in this thread.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/rack-pinion-service-tools-tips.312600/#post-8072827

 

.