Slack in steering wheel when engine running (1 Viewer)

[SteveH]

An odd condition. '06 GX 470 with 170K. Steering shaft replaced by Toyota at 20K under warranty, and it has a recently installed new, non-OEM steering rack.

When the truck is running and you're driving or idling, there is a slight bit of slack in the steering wheel. When you shut off the engine to find the slack, it's rock solid - zero play. So, it doesn't seem like a loose mechanical bit between the steering wheel and the steering rack. Has anyone else seen this? Ideas? Thanks!

 

[GXO]

Can be bushings in the rack under load or internal seals losing pressure. I had a rack that had chipped teeth on the mechanical side (first rack) and a rack that had an internal seal leak (second rack). They aren't exactly the most robust design passed the stock phase lol.

 

[GXDude]

My rack STILL skips teeth haha

If its jacked up with zero load on the front tires and turned off, does it feel like it still has play? any popping noises going from full lock to full lock?

 

[SteveH]

Thanks - I will check the bushings and the lock-to-lock smoothness and report back.