How much play is too much? Steering Q

[Mudeprived]

I'm having a slight shimmy when going over bumps. It is similar to bumpsteer. I would drive down my road and the steering wheel would jerk a little and shake when hitting bumps. It does this alot when driving on the road and one tire hits a bump or dip.

I went inspecting things and the only play I found was the driver's side steering tie rod rocks in and out of the rack about 1/8". I've always had a tad bit of play in every steering box/rack I've tested out so I figured a little bit would be normal when the vehicle is off and on jack stands. It is also a brand new steering rack BUT not from Toyota so I can't eliminate the rack 100% due to unknown quality. It is a Detroit Axle steering rack.

Is this tiny bit of play the culprit? Is there something else causing this? Tires?

Ball joints are Toyota joints that I replaced last summer.
Wheel bearings are factory and tight.
Tie rods are brand new and show no play.
Shocks are Bilstein HD's and working as they should.
Tires are Goodyear Authority with about 8k miles on them.

 

[gamefreakgc]

Wondering the same thing. I have all new Toyota OEM steering parts, ball joints, tie rods, steering rack, etc but I still get a little bit of movement over bumps. Maybe it's normal?

 

[xcmtb83]

Are you guys running the updated rack guide design?

 

[Nate_GB]

I went inspecting things and the only play I found was the driver's side steering tie rod rocks in and out of the rack about 1/8". I've always had a tad bit of play in every steering box/rack I've tested out so I figured a little bit would be normal when the vehicle is off and on jack stands. It is also a brand new steering rack BUT not from Toyota so I can't eliminate the rack 100% due to unknown quality. It is a Detroit Axle steering rack.

Is this tiny bit of play the culprit?

Is it the inner tie rod that has the play, or the rack? You'd need to pull the boot back to see and verify. But either way, there should be no perceivable in/out play at the rack.

 

[Mudeprived]

Are you guys running the updated rack guide design?

I ran the new style guide on my old OEM box but that only helped for a while. The box was done for so I ordered a new rack.

Is it the inner tie rod that has the play, or the rack? You'd need to pull the boot back to see and verify. But either way, there should be no perceivable in/out play at the rack.

Hmm ok I will pull the boot and check. I just figured a little would be normal because all my jeeps had this slight bit of play in their steering boxes, even the brand new ones.

If it is the inner TR then I still have new OEM Toyota Tie rods on my old OEM box that I can swap over.

 

[silver4est]

mine does it too, I have new rack and tie rods. I assumed it was because of tires and mild lift. much less pronounced since i put C load tires on instead of E.

 

[Mudeprived]

mine does it too, I have new rack and tie rods. I assumed it was because of tires and mild lift. much less pronounced since i put C load tires on instead of E.

I am running E's and I was thinking the tires had something to do with it because they are stiff.

 

[jgleit]

Check this thread about Tacoma's and steering wheel play:

Diagnose and Fix Steering Play/Rattle - TTORA Forum

My symptoms sound similar to yours and I have a new OEM steering rack, LBJ's, OTRE's. My steering tightened up a bunch but I did the diagnosis and found that my steering wheel has some play. Haven't gotten around to doing this fix yet but it's on my list.

 

[cblock406]

Check this thread about Tacoma's and steering wheel play:

Diagnose and Fix Steering Play/Rattle - TTORA Forum

My symptoms sound similar to yours and I have a new OEM steering rack, LBJ's, OTRE's. My steering tightened up a bunch but I did the diagnosis and found that my steering wheel has some play. Haven't gotten around to doing this fix yet but it's on my list.

It made a massive difference fixing this in mine, you will wonder why you didn’t do it sooner.

 

[xcmtb83]

This mod should be one of the first for everyone lifted or stock height if your rig doesn't have the new style. Also if you have a non-oem rack I would verify that it has the new style. I can't begin to imagine how many inner tie rods have been mistakenly replaced because of a loose rack guide.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/70884-how-replace-steering-rack-guide-pictures.html

 

[Mudeprived]

Check this thread about Tacoma's and steering wheel play:

Diagnose and Fix Steering Play/Rattle - TTORA Forum

My symptoms sound similar to yours and I have a new OEM steering rack, LBJ's, OTRE's. My steering tightened up a bunch but I did the diagnosis and found that my steering wheel has some play. Haven't gotten around to doing this fix yet but it's on my list.

When the truck is not moving, with the engine on or off, the steering wheel can be freely rotated approximately 1" back and forth without moving the front wheels. At highway speeds, the truck will occasionally wander to the left or right, requiring frequent correction. When driving over speed bumps or pot holes, a clear "rattle" or "clunking" can often be heard and felt in the steering wheel. When driving on firm, rocky, off-road surfaces, the steering rattle is very apparent and annoying.

I don't have any of those issues. Mine is just the jerking of the steering wheel. I will check it out though.

 

[Mudeprived]

This mod should be one of the first for everyone lifted or stock height if your rig doesn't have the new style. Also if you have a non-oem rack I would verify that it has the new style. I can't begin to imagine how many inner tie rods have been mistakenly replaced because of a loose rack guide.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/70884-how-replace-steering-rack-guide-pictures.html

My new rack has the same style of screw on cap as the new style rack guide shown in the link. I would assume this means I have the new style guide inside as well. Removing the cap to check would void the warranty on the rack and I prefer not to do that.

 

[xcmtb83]

My new rack has the same style of screw on cap as the new style rack guide shown in the link. I would assume this means I have the new style guide inside as well. Removing the cap to check would void the warranty on the rack and I prefer not to do that.

With remanufactured parts who knows what they used. All three of my vehicles have the older cap style with the newer guide so I know the caps are interchangeable. How would they ever know if you inspected it?

 

[01thunder]

the steering column shaft is 2 piece by design and gets a lot of play after time. my truck had a lot of play in the wheel. i took the column apart, tack welded the shaft in 2 spots and haven't looked back.

 

[jgue467]

Owners manual and FSM say 1" is standard allowable play at the steering wheel. Mine has about 1/2" of play yet feels 'loose' to me compared to my porsche or bmw (of course). :cowboy:

 

[phattyduck]

the steering column shaft is 2 piece by design and gets a lot of play after time. my truck had a lot of play in the wheel. i took the column apart, tack welded the shaft in 2 spots and haven't looked back.

You can hear this as a rattle in the steering *inside* the cabin. I'm looking forward to doing this fix on my 4Runner...

-Charlie

 

[Mudeprived]

With remanufactured parts who knows what they used. All three of my vehicles have the older cap style with the newer guide so I know the caps are interchangeable. How would they ever know if you inspected it?

There is a thick paint mark that will break if that cap is turned and that is how they know it was messed with. My jeep's steering boxes have the same mark on the adjustment nut that also voids warranty if you tighten it.

 

[Mudeprived]

So it turns out it is the rack guide. Detroit Axle uses a different type of rack guide nut and the adapter piece I made for the updated rack guide on my old rack was too big and did not fit. I did not have anything to use to tighten it. I later discovered that my spring compressors have a hex end for a ratcheting wrench which was long enough to insert and stick an adjustable wrench on it. I tightened it 1/4 turn and lost return-to-center then backed it off a little. No more wobbling or jerking of the steering wheel. I still do not have full return to center but it will work till I get an OEM rack.