Steering Shaft

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

Rolocado

Rolocado

Joined
May 15, 2016
Threads
80
Messages
1,009
Location
Colorado Springs
I am replacing my main steering shaft due to the infamous Toyota steering column loose-ness from having a collapsable steering column. When I was taking it apart, it came apart in two pieces (see where it came apart in picture). This is where I had a significant amount of play. My question is if that should come apart in two pieces or if it's that worn. Also wondering if it's supposed to have play? Would have no idea why.

IMG_4332.webp


IMG_4334.webp


IMG_4333.webp
 
That is the telescoping part of the steering. The inner should slide in and out of the outer like the drive shaft splines. Did you mark/note the location of the inner's resting position in the outer?

Grasp both parts by hand and try to twist it like you check U-joints. There should not be a free-play.

The main cause of this free play is turning the wheel without the engine running.
 
This is where I have play. It's supposed to slide in and out? Other than that everything looks fine but it wiggles a good amount

IMG_4333-1.webp
 
Seen play at the rag joint, possible at the slip joint...seen some Tacoma guys put a tack weld on either side, believing it will break free in an accident.
 
Rolocado said:
This is where I have play. It's supposed to slide in and out? Other than that everything looks fine but it wiggles a good amount

View attachment 1495798
Click to expand...
Just to clarify, "Free play" as used here means ... unwanted movement when turning from side-to-side. That would be wear in the slip joint. It's supposed to be able slide in and out. Wasn't sure, from what I read above, that was explained fully....
 
YardPig said:
Seen play at the rag joint, possible at the slip joint...seen some Tacoma guys put a tack weld on either side, believing it will break free in an accident.
Click to expand...
I got the new steering shaft in today and just finished putting everything back together. The new part is supper tight at that blue circle spot. It still slides in and out (if it were to collapse) but there in 0 rotational play. It feels like a brand new car. Wasn't a hard job but you have to go in order and make sure not to forget any electrical connections. I recommend the job.
 
Toyota part number and picture please. I am about to order the lower 'coupling assembly' 45230-60030 because I see slop there rocking the wheel back and forth. I would consider doing a full steering column 'rebuild' if this is a common wear portion I am overlooking. Thanks for sharing.
 
45210-60101 is the shaft. The column is the only thing I replaced besides one of the copper bushings in the tilt portion of the column cause I ruined one. I would urge you to make sure you have play in the coupling by pulling it out and seeing if you actually do because I thought that was my problem in the first place and it ended up being fine. Just my 2c.
 
This is a great thread, thank you.
Mine appears to have 'slop' in the rubber rag joint and not in the metal universal joint above it. They come complete as an assembly.
 
Again, that was normal for me, even after I put a new one in, I pulled it back out because I was still getting play, I electrical taped where you feel a gap (that's where the "play" is) and it was still moving. But when you tear it apart send pictures and let me know what you find
 
These are money if you don't have a FSM, print em out and tape em to your windshield
 

Attachments

Well I couldn't resist. Grabbed the flashlight and started grabbing the shaft at different heights (dirty). Your right, it feels like binding, it turns smooth and then a quick clunk from the play between the shaft on the upper to lower.
Everything is new on the suspension and steering and I knew it was further up from the rack.
I see your 'exploded' column in the pictures, does it require a full tear down on the bench to replace this slip shaft, or could it be done attached to the dash? I'm asumming at this point going that deep to the heart it's probably easier to work on the column removed from the vehicle.
My wife had a 300lb bear strike this Cruiser and then she drove over it, launching the Cruiser 3 feet in the air. The steering column noise was evident immediately afterwards.
 
That number you supplied is for power tilt steering column to clarify for other members.
Mine is manual tilt.
I will have to investigate part numbers for my application, I will agree the play is between the inner and outer shaft to tube splines.
 
Thank you. The part number for a manual tilt is 45210-60090 subbed to 60091. I will also be looking and feeling closely for the steering column bushings having slop and considering ordering those and replacing while it is apart. The bushings upper and lower and upper and lower bearings are cheap.
 
Last edited:
YardPig said:
Well I couldn't resist. Grabbed the flashlight and started grabbing the shaft at different heights (dirty). Your right, it feels like binding, it turns smooth and then a quick clunk from the play between the shaft on the upper to lower.
Everything is new on the suspension and steering and I knew it was further up from the rack.
I see your 'exploded' column in the pictures, does it require a full tear down on the bench to replace this slip shaft, or could it be done attached to the dash? I'm asumming at this point going that deep to the heart it's probably easier to work on the column removed from the vehicle.
My wife had a 300lb bear strike this Cruiser and then she drove over it, launching the Cruiser 3 feet in the air. The steering column noise was evident immediately afterwards.
Click to expand...
Yes it does require a full tear down. There is a snap ring at the top of the shaft that holds a bunch of tension from a spring under it. I used a C-clamp to get it back together.

I bet that bear's back hurts now...ouch
 
YardPig said:
Thank you. The part number for a manual tilt is 45210-60100. I will also be looking and feeling closely for the steering column bushings having slop and considering ordering those and replacing while it is apart. The bushings upper and lower and upper and lower bearings are cheap.
Click to expand...
Anything new?
 
It definitely feels like splines 'slipping' from wear. I'm curious if Toyota put a plastic dipped coating on their splines and it wears off. I have seen this before on other manufacturers.
 
I have ordered the shaft, you mention some bushings you destroyed removing, which are you referring to, the side ones on the tilt pivot?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Back
Top Bottom