Wandering steering culprit?

Is this much of the spline joint supposed to be exposed? As it is, I can’t push it down, nor pull it up. I can slightly rock it. I did replace this part, however now I can’t recall if I can move it down somehow?

 

My old taco is leaking power steering fluid in that area
It started whining in Syracuse NY and had to ease it back 1200 miles thru Indianapolis with a bottle of prestone asian vehicle stop leak fluid
Slowed the leak up some but no stopping it, went thru a whole 15$ bottle FML and got another bottle until it gets fixed but had 10$ coupon to use the 2nd time around!

Didn't notice any wandering in the steering yet, smooth as butter at nearly 310k

 

Here is mine but I can't believe that would cause your wandering steering problem. Mayble the steering shaft fix is needed, plenty of info on that in a thread here or youtube. Otherwise I'd say check suspension or alignment. Good luck with it.

 

Yea that's not showing on mine either, but I'll echo what @THatt said and say I don't think that's your problem.

I'd still suggest fixing that, by loosening that bolt on the left side then sliding it down the shaft and re-torquing the bolt.

The steering column steel pin or weld fix (to reduce play along the joints where it's designed to collapse upon itself) makes a world of difference for the wandering steering symptoms.

 

just what is moving The steering wheel alone ?? No effect on the steering rack .

The wheel and steering rack shaft move but not the wheels ??

the whole truck moves following the wagon tracks in the road ?

 

Door# 3
the whole truck moves following the wagon tracks in the road

 

Not much you can do!.

Unless you find yourself in the other lanes all to often . Does this happen all the time?

Some tires seem to be worse. Tire pressure can also effect things .

Your front end is aligned to specs Correct ?

I think you have changed every thing by now.

Most all our roads are old and worn.

 

No. Not ending up in oncoming traffic or swiping curbs.
& yes. All aligned. Thank goodness for lifetime alignment deals. Certainly getting my money’s worth!

 

If you'll post last numbers some folks might be able to suggest improvements. Trammeling can sometimes be improved with tweaks to toe in particular and sometimes caster.

You're getting your money's worth if the shop has good techs doing good work.

Which is the exception, not the rule, with big box shops that typically offer this type of deal.

 

Does anyone know what part number this bolt is? It is tapered (not sure what the correct term is for that type of bolt) whereas the bolt that is on the joint above is not.

 

I have the latest kicking around here somewhere....

It's a smaller three bay gig with a few shops in the area. They do suspension & engine repair as well....

 

The yota part # is not there on the diagram

 

Correct. I guess my question could have been, any suggestions on a replacement since there is no part number?

As I looked more at those splines showing, I recalled that something had happened to my original bolt rendering it unusable (can’t recall what) when I was replacing this part of the shaft. Someone on here stated I could use a regular one, so I found something that would thread at least part way in. What’s going on with the splines is since the bolt is not tapered, as it goes in, it’s pushing the shaft up. Not sure why I didn’t notice that before.

I was able to get that part to seat better & there is less movement. Just need a bolt to secure it. Not sure if I can use a smaller size bolt with a nut?

 

You might have mentioned you did not have the correct hardware to secure the shaft to the steering rack.

There needs to be a few floating around in part outs .

Have you posted that your looking for one?

if it was moving because of the wrong hardware have you done damage to the splines?

 

I mentioned it as soon as I recalled it.

I haven't put anything out there about looking for one. Still trying to figure out what I'm looking for. Starting to wonder if I got a defective part from Toyota & didn't know enough for it to occur to me at the time....

& as far as damage, this I don't know. The part seems fine moving up & down the splines....

 

Three places, at least these can slip.

Worn out/loose bushings...whole dang rack moves..


2) Somewhere along the steer shaft..splines....rag joint.....and then mine has another universal above that....
Oh and the break-away steering shaft just below the steering wheel...they'll twist if thats damaged...

3) Lastly other than the actual teeth on the rack....is a worn out steering rack guide.


(14) Steering Rack Guide Replacement - YouTube




I got all the parts to do mine...but I spend too much time yakking ....
and dropping .........................'s

 

Yeah I'm experiencing that same traveling effect...

I was hoping its because everything is new and aligned; and freshly greased, lbjs, tie rod ends, ect...

But I doubt it....and should be done sooner rather than later.....


This is one of the rare occasions I blew off timmy's advice and did not use his sugested mod....
Instead I just ordered exactly what Mcgeorge said would for sure fit my truck.

 

... How did we go from the skewed rear axle / trust angle to messing with the front end? You need to sort out the rear end and get that as square as you can before you mess with the front. It's always going be a bear if the trust angle is way out.

 

I venture she forgot about the rear axle problem.

I suggested One thread a few times so to not have to read through many threads to get caught up.

I give her credit for trying to fix things many on her do not.

 

I actually paid a frame shop to get the axle back on track & here is the resulting alignment numbers. Actually, I’ll put pre & post