steering wheel shake and rattle..

That last pic makes my ass pucker

 

hells yeah. compare that pic with the one in the write up and it looks like a totally different truck. i was like "holy shit". but it did go back together. oh and im in san antonio so it was about 100 degrees

 

The last pic doesn't look all that different from my 04 regular cab when I did the fix. I pushed the wiring out of the way when I took my pictures (and took them from a slightly different angle).

It's now been somewhere around 500 miles since I welded my slip joint and it still feels great. Did a couple of 4wd trails and some washboard roads this past weekend, and there was no rattle/clunking in the steering that it used to have.

 

well i have driven mine for about 12 miles and it is different for sure. im still trying to figure out if its "better" though

 

Yea, it took me a while to stop unconsciously correcting the direction of the truck on the highway, after living with the problem for so long. It's sort of like being used to old, bald tires, then getting new ones and trying to remind yourself not to compensate for bad tire performance.

 

yeah im pretty sure thats exactly whats going on, but i sure am glad i finally did the work.

 

Does anyone know if this fix would work on a 2nd gen tacoma? I've been having the same trouble when I hit bumps or potholes in the road at about any speed. I thought maybe my bilstein 5100s were worn out from being overextended at 2.5" lift. Thanks for any input

 

Greetings,
I am new to the list and drove my friend's new tacoma yesterday. I certainly verified his concern. It would be unacceptable if I owned this truck ! He only has 15,000 miles and has been to the dealer several times now with his concern !
I am a retired mechanic, and I first looked at the flimsy connecting rod which goes from the rack to the steering column ! It is perhaps too thin and appears to have a u joint in it. If I had a hoist, I would certainly get under the vehicle and look at the complete suspension, but alas, I do not !
Any suggestions would be appreciated because I think I will need to talk to the lame ass dealer mechanics, at some point.
Ben

 

I just fixed mine. Did not tack weld it. I elected to use a roll pin. Here is a link. But honestly research it more, because you don't need to take so much apart. Just the lower panel by your knees, clam shell around the column, two upper springs that are for your tilt, clamp bolt down at the firewall and two allen bolts. Btw this is for a first gen taco. What year is your friends? I will assume 2014 as per mileage statement.

 

anyone know what size roll pin to use if going that route?

 

It's not a safety concern... just an annoyance.

The real safety concern is the proposed repair (fix).
As welding or pinning that shaft can alter the shaft's compression
during an impact or collision...
Causing the steering shaft not to collapse promptly
as it was engineered/designed to do.

No biggie in my book... (I'm not fearful of the fix)
But all the whiners looking for a free ride (repair)
should be aware of how the fix can actually alter the shaft's function.
Thus causing the repair to be even more dangerous to the driver's well being.
Especially if the steering shaft does not collapse on impact /or collision...

This repair (fix) could cause even more injury to the driver if done wrong.

Because the repair can actually create more injury...
the tack welds or pin size should be minimal (small)
so that the shaft can still collapse/compress
when an impact or collision might occur.

I have done nothing to repair mine for 16 years...
Even tho' I own a welder and have known the fix for some time.
Just hasn't really been on my priority list.
But it's good to know what the fault is...
if or when I might wish to make the correction.

Generally it just rattles a little and has a little steering slop.
And tho' maybe annoying and not an ideal design...
...it will not fail.

And so complaining to the NHTSA will net 1st gen Tacoma owners nothing.

 

I'll suggest the smallest diameter pin
that you can drill a hole for.

You want a high carbon pin that will shear (snap)
rather then bend.

You want the steering column shaft
to collapse during impact or collision.

 

There is no single fix but heres what i would do, all new suspension bushings, mild shocks, P rated tires that are road forced balanced and have the proper pressure, steering rack bushings, and an alingment with correct caster. The will solve most issues.

 

So I know this thread has been going on forever and I just wanted to thank anyone who has contributed with useful info. I did this on an '02 Taco today and it certainly helped.

I used the "easy" method of just pulling the clamshell directly behind the steering wheel, the 4 electrical plugs directly under the wheel, the 12mm bolt at the firewall and the two 6mm hex bolts at the pivot. And of course the tilt springs. I found the springs to be the biggest challenge, I finally used some random small pieces of 2x4" as a fulcrum against the dash to lever my needle nose vise grips which were locked onto the spring(s). I'd also reco a headlamp so you can really see what you're doing with the springs.

Still, others are right that you can get it all out in ~15 minutes, provided you don't spend too long fighting the springs.

I'm a metalworker by trade so tacking it was no problem