Steering Issue / Intermediate Shaft Area

[timer00]

I have read a thread on TTORA about Tacomas with wandering steering and clunking when going over rough road bumps or off road and they talk about a intermediate shaft fix where the guy spot welds two spots on the shaft to correct the issue.

This may be related and I think I read a thread in Search about this though I never encountered much talk about it being a widespread issue.

Got just my front wheel bearings readjusted and repacked, new front shocks, new steering rack bushings, ball joints are fine but yet I still have this clunky feeling along with changing lanes over the center line it jerks me over at speed which is scary sometimes if you shift lanes too quick.

My steering rack was looked at by the shop and they didn't mention anything bad "like o its bad". It doesn't make noises, steers smoothly and returns to center properly and doesn't leak.

I played with the ujoint on the center shaft right before the firewall as in the picture attached and I move the steering wheel slightly back and forth and the joint does wiggle more than I think it should plus underneath the rubber dust cap going into the firewall it wiggles or sounds loose under there.

You can buy the center shaft from Toyota that includes what you would need to replace that area. Does this sound like what could be my issues... since last year getting the truck and adding bigger wheels it has been getting a little worse as the months go on though I didn't notice it last year.

Tie rods I also got checked out yesterday by the shop and they are all still good though I have new outer ones for the future. Truck does steer responsively like it should but with that somewhat looseness and clunky feeling like I think that ujoint is causing. Thanks for the help I am hoping to get this resolved before the vacation this year.

 

[TXLX100]

I personally would just replace the intermediate shaft. Welding or modifying it seems a little sketchy if it's already failed.

I assume it's been aligned with all the recent work. What kind of tires do you have and what shape are they in? Do you have the front lifted at all?

 

[spressomon]

link to the TTORA thread? Apart of the first rack swap out/in I, mainly because of corrosion, replaced the entire steering shaft assembly from where it attaches to the rack to the steering column and it solved the looseness/rattle you describe.

 

[timer00]

Well just Google TTORA loose steering and should be 1st link.

Just had aligned yesterday and wearing 90% new 285/75 Duratracs

Money being tight for 1 month before vacation it'd be nice to just replace 1 of the 3 shaft sections to fix my issue
But will see what my shop thinks

I am stock with no lift

 

[timer00]

I have a youtube video link. Engine off, No key in, Park



I am guessing that much movement is not normal with engine off and in park

 

[YardPig]

Several area's for knocking noise there. Make sure spline steering coupler is tight on the pinch bolt. Underhood Column Ujoint....grab both ends of the shaft, pull, rock it. Steering rack could have loose pinion to rack clearance, replace it or brave reshim the pinion. Steering column inner plastic sleeve ujoint? Rubber bushing in the firewall can also amplify steering inputs/vagueness. I see you mentioned new rack bushings, I just ordered some. Best to let the suspension hang with the heavy wheels on it and grab at 3 and 9 while an assistant looks for steering drama, some mechanics think steering/suspension inspections happen on a 4 bolt lift with the weight on the vehicle, some only being paid for a wheel alignment take it a step lazier and never even slide the jack from behind their head to in front of their head and unload the chassis. That's pathetic to send someone down the road with safety issues because your lazy and not greedy, greedy are most alignment shops....

 

[timer00]

Well my front bearings were loose so they adjusted and re packed then aligned and now it drives very straight.
Had it in originally to check and replace tie rods they said they were fine which i reconfirmed.

I think it's probably the rack being 200k old or so and every bump and road undulation moves the steering wheel in my hands.
Basically only flat nice road it is nice to drive on. Also has a dead spot and loose feeling due to connection to pinion.

Taking it back to get diagnosed with their opinion and estimate.. Though I may do the rack myself and also replace the steering column to rack piece as well

Thanks for the input

 

[YardPig]

Good to know they did the wheel bearing adjustment, that is another area for slop. I think you can diagnose yourself, get it up in the air with stands. Rack bushings are a common problem area for vague steering, I see you replaced them...torqued? If you are having return to center issues, binding or vague steering at speed with your amount of work it more than likely does relate around the rack itself. Check for slop at full droop, also check your powersteering system, fluid, level, reservoir/hose leaks, air and dirty orfices do funny things.

 

[timer00]

Good to know they did the wheel bearing adjustment, that is another area for slop. I think you can diagnose yourself, get it up in the air with stands. Rack bushings are a common problem area for vague steering, I see you replaced them...torqued? If you are having return to center issues, binding or vague steering at speed with your amount of work it more than likely does relate around the rack itself. Check for slop at full droop, also check your powersteering system, fluid, level, reservoir/hose leaks, air and dirty orfices do funny things.

Bushings are fine and torqued properly.. my wandering was even worse with old worn out bushings on the rack.
No leaking, haven't had to touh power steering fluid since purchase July 2014. Steering turns smoothly and returns fine, at least it seems.. Drove half decent but with old stock tires last October 2014 on vacation. Replaced with Duratracs March 2015 and looseness has got worse probably amplified more so with bigger tires.

My long time shop didn't mention anything and were able to align in, I moved the tie rods back and forth, etc, listening for knocking or looseness going into the rack and all is tight as far as I can tell. I will wait for my shops opinion on why the rack pinion to ujoint is so sloppy. I am at this point expecting new rack and I can probably tackle it myself after reading the one How to thread off MUD.