Steering notchy..any ideas?

[yakobo75]

So I just picked up a 01 T4R with 105K miles on the clock...steering was real loose with a slight notchiness when centered. Upon inspection, I noticed the rack bushings were torn up and the rack itself was moving when the steering wheel turned. After replacing the bushing racks with some energy suspension ones, most of the looseness went away but still getting the notchiness when its centered. Drives ok but I'm a stickler for perfection; any other ideas?

 

[PitbullRescuer]

My guess would be the rack itself. Although 105K is a little early for it to go out.

 

[KidVermicious]

So I just picked up a 01 T4R with 105K miles on the clock...steering was real loose with a slight notchiness when centered. Upon inspection, I noticed the rack bushings were torn up and the rack itself was moving when the steering wheel turned. After replacing the bushing racks with some energy suspension ones, most of the looseness went away but still getting the notchiness when its centered. Drives ok but I'm a stickler for perfection; any other ideas?

Please tell me you've replaced your lower ball joints. If not, I wouldn't drive the truck again until you have, not even to the mechanic.

 

[yakobo75]

Looking at the service history, the vehicle had been serviced/inspected at Toyota dealerships throughout its life (last inspection was at 102k) and the lower ball joints were replaced at 46K miles in 2005...could they still be the culprit?

 

[Dezert4Runner]

^^^^^^x2 on not driving it anywhere until LBJ's are done. I did the same thing you did with the same symptoms you had by replacing rack bushings thinking it was the issue, and not long after I had my LBJ fail.

 

[yakobo75]

Hmm...guess i will look into that next..thanks guys!

 

[KidVermicious]

Looking at the service history, the vehicle had been serviced/inspected at Toyota dealerships throughout its life (last inspection was at 102k) and the lower ball joints were replaced at 46K miles in 2005...could they still be the culprit?

Hmm...guess i will look into that next..thanks guys!

I can't say for sure yours are bad and it could very well be the rack, but I know I've seen several guys report that same notchy steering just before their LBJs failed. I wouldn't risk it.

 

[yakobo75]

I think i'm gonna try adjusting the steering rack guide this weekend...hopefully that fixes it...I lifted both front wheels off the ground and there is no play/slop at all so I'm hoping the ball joints/tie rods are ok.