Steering fix, now what?

[runnyrunnerton]

So i jumped in the truck yesterday and noticed my steering wheel has about 1/2"-1" of play all of the sudden. I have now ordered New Outer tie rod ends, a new steering rack bushing set from toytec and a shiny new jack with 2 SUV stands. I replaced the LBJ's about 10,000 miles ago.

I don't have the capacity to lift the vehicle and wiggle the wheels until the jack arrives but a tire guy told me i needed to replace the OTR's long ago, i usually dont jump until i know its time.

What else should I do while I'm down there on Saturday morning? any more bushings, trouble parts etc. I was thinking of swapping out a new set of sway bars, but im not willing to give up wheel travel.

 

[Nelsonmd]

I think you should confirm where the play is before you do anything. Put someone else in the driver's seat turning the wheel while you get under and look at where the play is.

That said, if you were told a long time ago that your TRE's need to be replaced, they probably really do need to be replaced.

My rig feels SO much better after replacing all my steering and suspension components, so I wouldn't hesitate to replace them.

 

[masphx]

Check to make sure its not just this. Easy fix. I fixed mine last week and drives great now. No steering play and no banging noise when offroad. I put a roll pin though mine. About $5 in parts at the most.

Diagnose and Fix Steering Play/Rattle - TTORA Forum

 

[mattman]

So i jumped in the truck yesterday and noticed my steering wheel has about 1/2"-1" of play all of the sudden.

I read that as - So I jumped the truck yesterday ...

 

[runnyrunnerton]

I need to be clear with what I'm trying to ask. So i jumped the truck yesterday and noticed some minor body roll in flight around 10 feet. How do you guys adjust the yaw of your runner in flight?

 

[Nashvegas34]

Ballast, man. Ballast. The General Lee had bags of sand in the trunk!

 

[runnyrunnerton]

So I did this.


Diagnose and Fix Steering Play/Rattle - TTORA Forum

Found this:
<a href="http://s126.photobucket.com/albums/p109/sdouglas712/?action=view&current=runner002.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p109/sdouglas712/runner002.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

<a href="http://s126.photobucket.com/albums/p109/sdouglas712/?action=view&current=runner003.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p109/sdouglas712/runner003.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

<a href="http://s126.photobucket.com/albums/p109/sdouglas712/?action=view&current=runner004.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p109/sdouglas712/runner004.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

It appears toyota made the fix on their own.
No forward or backwards play whatsoever. My wheel however is loose where it is connected to the main shaft assembly, gonna leave that alone for now.

Put it back together.

Airbag light on. :ybrick:

but does anyone know why my airbag light went on? Will this thing explode in my face while I'm driving, because that would really make my day.

 

[1985taylor1925]

I took my steering colum apart last week and it looked like the one in the tutorial. Looks like toyota redesigned the steering shaft after 98. Thats good to know.

You mentioned the looseness in the steering wheel where it connects. Thats caused by part A (you may have figured that out, not trying to insult your intelligence). Its an oddly designed little part to me. I mean its functional, but not the best design. And since its plastic I think it just wears out over time which allows slop in the wheel. If I remember correctly, that part is no longer available through Toyota. I would have to double check that though.

And then somewhere around B is where the shaft is seated in a bushing (nelson pointed this bushing out to me last week). I just ordered the bushing from toyota for $5 as mine allows some play in the steering shaft. You should check that out since its a cheap fix.

Also, where the steering shaft meets the connecting shaft (not sure if thats what its called) to the steering rack, the two are connected by basically a condensed version of a u joint. I dont think that part is very prone to wear out, but that doesnt mean it cant. I am suspicous that mine has a very small amount of play. Im guessing you know what part Im talking about as you must have removed its plastic cover down beneath the brake pedal.