Hi,
I've been feverishly searching the interwebs as I know this topic has been discussed many times, but I'm coming up empty on my particular issue.
The vehicle - 96 4Runner, 150k Miles, new rack bushings & upgraded guides about 10k ago, original rack, ball joints & tie rods.
When I got the Runner, there was excessive wandering in the steering, plus a bit of play and a rattle over certain bumps. New bushings fixed the play. I put in rack guides to help with the rattle, but to get the rattle to go away I had to tighten the guides to the point the steering would not self center. Oh well, new rack in my future.
Fast forward to today, the rattle is still there, and the wander associated with the worn bushings is back. First thought was ball joints. I have a set in the garage but I want to do them w/ a full front rebuild (rack, TREs, bushings, UCAs, various gussets, jounce shocks, bling bling, etc.) and I'm still collecting parts.
I thought I would try the free.99 mod of tack welding the slip joint just in case. So I welded that up yesterday, no discernible movement in the slip joint, but there is some movement in the coupling for tilt mechanism when I put the shaft in a vise and turn the wheel a bit. I can't find any info on this joint other than a new steering shaft is $250+ (coupling not sold separately of course). The thing is, mine doesn't look worn, and I'm not sure a new one will have any less play.
Has anyone else experienced play in this joint? Anyone tried to replace it with a u-joint to tighten up any extra play? I think I need to just tear into the front and do the BJ's as PM with the knowledge I'll be back in 6-12 months for the rest of the front end toys. There is a used setup on ebay for $55 shipped, it may be worth it just for comparison and maybe to experiment w/ a u joint.
TL;DR: Pic below of the steering shaft (not mine, came from this thread Diagnose and Fix Steering Play/Rattle - TTORA Forum). The coupling that has play that I speak of is the cream colored plastic piece on the left. Any input on how to tighten this up would be great.
I've been feverishly searching the interwebs as I know this topic has been discussed many times, but I'm coming up empty on my particular issue.
The vehicle - 96 4Runner, 150k Miles, new rack bushings & upgraded guides about 10k ago, original rack, ball joints & tie rods.
When I got the Runner, there was excessive wandering in the steering, plus a bit of play and a rattle over certain bumps. New bushings fixed the play. I put in rack guides to help with the rattle, but to get the rattle to go away I had to tighten the guides to the point the steering would not self center. Oh well, new rack in my future.
Fast forward to today, the rattle is still there, and the wander associated with the worn bushings is back. First thought was ball joints. I have a set in the garage but I want to do them w/ a full front rebuild (rack, TREs, bushings, UCAs, various gussets, jounce shocks, bling bling, etc.) and I'm still collecting parts.
I thought I would try the free.99 mod of tack welding the slip joint just in case. So I welded that up yesterday, no discernible movement in the slip joint, but there is some movement in the coupling for tilt mechanism when I put the shaft in a vise and turn the wheel a bit. I can't find any info on this joint other than a new steering shaft is $250+ (coupling not sold separately of course). The thing is, mine doesn't look worn, and I'm not sure a new one will have any less play.
Has anyone else experienced play in this joint? Anyone tried to replace it with a u-joint to tighten up any extra play? I think I need to just tear into the front and do the BJ's as PM with the knowledge I'll be back in 6-12 months for the rest of the front end toys. There is a used setup on ebay for $55 shipped, it may be worth it just for comparison and maybe to experiment w/ a u joint.
TL;DR: Pic below of the steering shaft (not mine, came from this thread Diagnose and Fix Steering Play/Rattle - TTORA Forum). The coupling that has play that I speak of is the cream colored plastic piece on the left. Any input on how to tighten this up would be great.
