02 tundra steering slop (1 Viewer)

[caladin]

I'm now to this forum, but been on the fj40 forum a bit. My tow rig is my 2002 tundra with 196k mi.

I just put new shocks and struts in it and it rides enough better that i no notice it's got a little slop in the steering. It's also got a tiny weeping leak at the drivers side of the steering rack.

I got under the truck and shook all the linkages in the steering and nothing seemed to rattle or be loose.

On the 40/mini truck PS there is a bolt you can use to tighten the steering box up to take out a little slack...(as long as you don't go too tight)

is there anything like that on the tundra?

If nto what is the recommended process for removing steering slop. it's not a lot but it makes towing the 40 and my travel trailer a bit too exciting for my taste on windy days...

Oh I'm a 1 banana mechanic tops, maybe less.

Thanks,

Cal-

 

[subzali]

Wow, you're towing an FJ40 AND a travel trailer with an 02 Tundra? Kinda ballsy. Hope you have the upgraded brakes.

I have a 2000 Tundra, and I'd probably search on tundrasolutions.com to find an answer to your question(s). They have a 1st-gen section that has some dumb stuff but has some good info too. I've had a couple unsuccessful tire balancing operations done recently, and am wondering if some part of my steering is getting worn too. When I did a search there was mention of a rubber bushing on the steering rack that might need to be replaced. I haven't yet crawled under there to see where it's located exactly. HTH

 

[Cracker]

subzali is right. The first thing to check is the steering rack bushings. There are polyurethane kits available...IIRC around $40-$50.
Here's one thread on TundraSolutions with a good write-up. There should be several more over there.

http://www.tundrasolutions.com/foru...tion-how-polyurethane-steering-rack-bushings/

Before you replace these though, you might want to look into that weeping leak you have.
I am in the process of replacing my rack, because the seal on top of the valve body was weeping, and after a couple months, it finally went and I lost all my fluid. The seal I'm talking about is on the driver's side, at the top where the steering shaft connects to the rack.
If there is fluid, up there, wipe off the gunk & dirt real well. Then check it in a day or two to see if its wet again. If so, I'd look into replacing the rack. About $300-$350 for a rebuilt unit, and probably a couple hundred for labor to replace it, plus you will need an alignment after.
Plus $70-$100 for both outer tie-rod ends if they need replacing.
It might be a good time to also see if the lower ball joints were ever replaced, and the front brakes upgraded, both under TSBs.
You can sign up as an owner on Toyota.com, and (supposedly) see all all the maintenance ever done on your truck at a Toyota dealership. Some people have said the info can be incomplete, but it might be a good place to start if you are not the original owner.

 

[caladin]

Lol

I only tow ONE of the two at a given time... the trailer or the Cruiser
not both at once, I can still walk without a wheel barrow i promise

Cal-

 

[SteveH]

There is a driver's side steering rack preload nut on 3rd gen 4Runners that can be tightened to remove slop. My buddy says he did this on a 2000 Tundra, too.

To check for this, have someone rock the steering wheel back and forth while you look at the driver's side of the steering rack. If the rod coming out of the rack is moving up and down (as well as in and out), you have slop in this fitting. Search online and you'll learn how to adjust it - very much a 1-banana job.

I had a clunk in my steering that sounded like a bad TRE, and tightening this nut cured the clunk and tightened up the steering.