I recently replaced LBJ's, OTE's, Steering Rack Bushings on my 1999 with about 175,000 miles. However, I am still feeling a very slight knock/looseness when going over bumps. The steering feels tight enough until I hit any bump. The only thing I can think is that either the rack is bad or the inner tie rod ends are. I'm hoping that it's the latter, but I want to make sure before I tear things apart, throw new parts in and pay for an alignment. Is there an easy way to determine if the ITR's are the culprit and not the rack? I know people say to jack up the front wheels and check for movement when rotating the tires left and right with your hands, but this doesn't seem conclusive to me. Any help would be great.

Thanks

Not rotating, turning. Shaking side to side. And yeah, it's conclusive - if there's play there, then your tie rod ends or your rack are bad. Guess which is cheaper and easier to replace? I normally do my inner TREs when I do my outers anyway. Saves guessing.

Nice avvy, neighbor.

I would bet money ITRs are bad. I went with ACDelco Advantage parts to replace mine.

When you replaced the outers, did the tie rod drop after you unhooked it from the ball joint? When I disconnected mine they dropped right away and you could move them all around with the lightest touch. This means they are bad. You should have to grab hold hard and really try to move the ITR if they are good.

Easiest way to tell would be to unbolt the outer tie rod from the ball joint and see how much play there is.

Thanks for the quick replies. I don't really remember if the OTRE fell after I unbolted it from the LBJ. I guess I wasn't looking to see what it did, but I want to see it fell freely. Question: Am I right to assume that no alignment will be necessary if I simply pop the OTRE off the LBJ to check for play?

Thanks again.

You might also try to check the slip joint in your steering column. I had the same issue with my 99 and just did that "fix" this past weekend. Many folks tack weld the joint together... but I went super technical, and used a butt load of tape to keep things tight. It made a tremendous difference with my knock issue over bumps etc.

Other thread I posted in regarding my knock issue: Popping in my steering wheel ?

That is correct. Unbolting and then reattaching the outer tie rod will have no effect as long as you don't loosen the jam nut and spin the tie rod.

What did you ever conclude from all of this?

I am doing some research cause my steering has been feeling more loose lately and I came across another thread that may be of use to you: Rack & Pinion issue - 2001 Taco - TTORA Forum

Apparently the '01+ models have the newer style rack guide... you can tell by simply looking at the plug on the rack/pinion unit - the hex style ("innie") is the newer design.

I get the same looseness over bumps, and my entire steering system is pretty much new. New OEM rack (which includes new ITREs), new OTREs, new LBJs. The only thing I didn't change was the UBJs and the steering pump. I'm also suspect of the steering rag joint, and the column shaft, as kruegs pointed out above.

Just replaced ITRE's and it WORKED!!! Solid tight steering. So, this combination of fixes worked for me. New OTRE's, new ITRE's, new steering rack bushings, new steering rack guide. New LBJ's too.

I am one of those people who only like to take something apart once, and I hate seeing a new part go bad because I didn't replace another related part.

My outer tie rod ends are pretty beat, but my inners seem to be okay....just have some yellowish grease around the ball.....is that normal?. I have new inner tie am one of those people who only like to take something apart once, and I hate seeing a new part go bad because I didn't replace another related part. Should I just roll with the older inners and just replace the outers?