tie rod shaft question?

Been having a noise that I sometimes get going over a bump. I think I found what can be causing it , but not sure. Sorry for the crappy pic but the video I recorded didn't want to upload.Its the part from the steering rack between the boot and outter tie rod. That "shaft" turns from side to side. The nut is tight on the outter tie rod, but dont know if there is another in the boot.I've taken the clap off the boot and slipped it back as far as I could and don't see a nut. I don't have another Tacoma to compare too, but my others cars dont have that movement in that shaft. I grab that shaft and it turns from side to side. Like half a turn one way. What stops it, is the outter tie rod hitting were it bolts on to the spindle.Can anyone crawl under their truck and see if this is normal? Pretty please.

 

Sounds normal to me. There's a ball joint in the inner tie rod, where it connects to the steering rack. If it were not for the outer TRE being connected to the spindle, the tie rod would be free to spin 360*. How freely does it spin side-to-side? Mine takes some twisting to make it move. It's hard to describe, what with "feel" being relative and all...

 

The inner tie rod has a ball and attaches to the rack. I don't think you should be able to rotate the shaft by hand, unless the joints are really worn. You'll be able to rotate them a bit normally, but with a wrench, and you should see the outer tie rod rotate too. You'll only be able to rotate it as much as the normal range of movement in the outer end allows.

 

I didn't expect for my truck at 80xxx miles to have worn tie rods. I lifted one wheel of the ground. Then I grabbed the tire and try to feel for play & don't have any. I also grab that shaft and then I pull on it ( wheel to wheel) and no excessive play. How do I upload videos here?

The side with the noise I sometimes get, it doesn't take much effort. I went to opposite side to see if this movent was normal. Took a bit more effort to twist. The outter tie rod does move when I twist the shaft on both sides. No signs of torn boot or grease leaking from either side.

 

If you have a helper, leave the front of the truck on the ground. Have the helper rock the steering wheel back and forth, while you check the tie rod ends and inner tie rod sockets for play. Since the inners are covered by the boots, you are looking for "jumping" on the tie rod, and you can compress the boot with your hand and feel for play too.

From your description, I'm not convinced the tie rod sockets and ends are worn. It is very normal to be able to rotate the tie rod assemblies the way you are.