replacing intermediate steering column U joint - loose steering

[jrm]

Yes , ive read almost everything there is on how to fix the loose wandering steering i experience on the fwy @ speeds above say 55.

But everything ive read just leads me down yet another rabbit hole since there' s no real conclusive evidence that one thing or another corrects the problem.

Ive read that alignment fixed one persons wandering problem and that a new steering rack or new steering rack bushings fixed anothers. Then i hear about the steering shaft u joint argument but that this is the fix only if there is a auditable noise associated with turning the steering wheel and then theres the "mine tracks fine on the fwy" comment.

So can ANYONE please point to any concrete evidence to a fix or maybe a combination of fixes to loose-wandering steering at fwy speeds? Thanks for reading...:flame:

 

[techno]

Sounds like you have already found the possible answers, but you are not sure which solution to try first. The reality is, there are multiple causes for your symptoms, so you have to troubleshoot them in an order that makes the most sense for your circumstance.
My first suggestion is get an alignment done and have the techs inspect all the suspension and steering bushings while they're doing it. Even if this doesn't solve things, you have ruled out a common cause and you have some peace of mind knowing your truck is aligned.
Secondly, a bad tire can cause wandering. Switch your tires front to back and see if it goes away. If it does, then get new tires. By bad tire, I mean it's construction has a flaw or it is damaged. I experienced wandering with a brand new set of BFG ATs once. We narrowed it down to one particular tire that seemed to have a sidewall imperfection.
Good luck, hope this helps a little bit.

 

[kiwiyoda]

I fought this for ages, you have no doubt seen my comments in the other steering threads.

03 2WD V6 Limited, with wandering that got progressively worse over a couple of years until driving it was not only annoying, but a chore. At freeway speeds you had to constantly correct the steering, it felt like the front wheels were pointed in slightly different directions, with one grabbing, then the other. It was bad.

I had multiple alignments at independent shops which would marginally improve it for a short time, and then it would reoccur. Probably the placebo effect in full swing after dropping $60 each time.

Eventually, I took it to Toyota to get that problem figured out (this was two days after getting it aligned at an independent with no improvement).

I told them that I had just had an alignment, but it felt sloppy as hell and was wandering, I asked them to realign it if they could, and just check out what the heck was going on. They put it up on the lift while I waited, and within 2 minutes had diagnosed that the rack was toast as it had a bunch of horizontal play in it. There was no way it could hold an alignment. I had it swapped out for ~$900 and that corrected it. I remember getting out on the freeway to drive home, and the difference was incredible. It was like driving a new car.

As an aside - If the UJoint has a problem, it seems to be that it causes stiffness in steering, or a 'notchy' feeling as you turn the wheel.

My advice would be to get a good shop to put it on the lift and check for play in the steering rack to at least rule that out. As I say, some places happily 'aligned' mine for a few years with a rack that couldn't hold an alignment. Ridiculous.

Anyway - Thats my experience. Hope it helps.

 

[jrm]

They put it up on the lift while I waited, and within 2 minutes had diagnosed that the rack was toast as it had a bunch of horizontal play in it.

My advice would be to get a good shop to put it on the lift and check for play in the steering rack to at least rule that out. As I say, some places happily 'aligned' mine for a few years with a rack that couldn't hold an alignment. Ridiculous.

Anyway - Thats my experience. Hope it helps.

Mines not leaking at all which had me thinking it was the intermediate shaft or tie rods or a combo like techno suggested. It does have 111k on it and was brought across the continent so maybe thats it. I sure hope the diagnosis is that easy. Hopefully ill have it in the air this weekend and get a better look. :cheers: & thanks

 

[SeanWN86]

Ever rectify?

Both your guys' descriptions seem to accurately describe my 4Runner right now.