Had my 260k 3rd gen for about a month - don't really know how long things have been ran on it but there is play in the steerling wheel and it pulls left while driving, some rattle over bumps and while braking at higher speeds. It also needs shocks.

My question is about where to start - there are write-ups on replacing the steering rack bushings and the rack itself as well as steering column tack weld fix to correct the play, bit I couldn't find any info on if just new bushings made an improvement. The tack weld fix folks noticed immediate improvement in steering/handling and rattle but I didn't see anything about going further to the bushings/steering rack.

Should I try replacing the bushings first before messing with the steering rack?

Should I just go for the tack weld fix?

Should the bushings be replaced anyway for good measure?

Thanks

Play in the wheel could be/probly is steering bushings. I thought it was an easy job (and cheap) - took a couple hours and some elbow grease.

As for pulling left, I'd check my alignment and tire pressure before I started doing anything crazy.

Idk anything about a 'tack weld fix'

Thanks LookAtThatDog. The alignment was checked in June by the previous owner, I just need to compare the results to the factory specs.

The tack weld is for a loose slip joint in the steering assembly

From the 3rd gen tutorial/reference section:

http://ttora.com/forum/showthread.ph.../161689?page=1

I would definitely go ahead and replace the steering rack bushings. When mine were starting to go bad, you could physically see the rack moving when it was trying to turn. Maybe check that, get a second person to steer left to right and check how it looks under.

As for pulling, I'm also going to say alignment. If you have a Sears near you, I know they do free alignment checks, which I'd recommend before going and paying for something you potentially don't need.

Good luck!

Bushings and alignment I Had the same symptoms.

Going through all the suspension on my 260k mile rig you will want to start replacing it all up front.

Main things

Steering rack bushings
Upper and Lower control arm bushings
All sway bar bushings

After that I would also do

Lower and upper ball joints
outer tie rod ends
Inner tie rod ends if loose

This will really tighten your truck up.

Awesome, thanks for the responses guys.

I've been dealing with a pull to the right ever since I bought my '96. Tried to have it aligned earlier in the year, but the place i used tried to put the blame on my 8 year old tires. Told me to bring it back after I put on new tires and they would redo it.

Well I got new tires along with rack bushings and rack guide. Took it back to them and guess what, I still have a pull to the right. I know they did something as I had told them to straighten my steering wheel out, which they overdid. The wheel went from a right to a very slight left orientation, but I'm still pulling right. At first I thought I had my rack guide to tight, but I already loosened it once and it feels like it returns to center just fine.

I'm probably going to have the Toyota dealer look at the alignment next.

As for the tack weld, I believe 96 and part of 97 did not have the slip shaft set up. My 96 does not have it, your 97 may not either depending on the month built. Someone may correct me if I am wrong on that.

Thanks, Kanoe, I'll check that