Steering Play Mod Complete

So I just did this repair/mod yesterday. I am brand new to the vehicle as of a few weeks ago but diagnosed this problem. I did it exactly how Heelandtoe did above. I am blown away with the difference. In fact so much so, that I am a slight bit concerned that I did something wrong. I know that some people in one of the threads with regards to this mod stated that they had issues with their steering after (super tight/binding etc...)
My steering wheel seems a ton more tight. There is absolutely no play, but it definitely takes more to turn the wheel. I am not experiencing any binding issues and the wheel returns to center on its own.

I guess my question is, although I was expecting an improvement, and I am extremely happy with the result, I just want to see how much difference others who have done this mod experienced after, and whether I did something wrong causing the stiffer steering now. Dont want to damage anything.
 
Wonka said:
So I just did this repair/mod yesterday. I am brand new to the vehicle as of a few weeks ago but diagnosed this problem. I did it exactly how Heelandtoe did above. I am blown away with the difference. In fact so much so, that I am a slight bit concerned that I did something wrong. I know that some people in one of the threads with regards to this mod stated that they had issues with their steering after (super tight/binding etc...)

My steering wheel seems a ton more tight. There is absolutely no play, but it definitely takes more to turn the wheel. I am not experiencing any binding issues and the wheel returns to center on its own.



I guess my question is, although I was expecting an improvement, and I am extremely happy with the result, I just want to see how much difference others who have done this mod experienced after, and whether I did something wrong causing the stiffer steering now. Dont want to damage anything.
Click to expand...



Stiffer steering is generally seen by the shaft pulling upwards on the shaft that goes into the rack. Adjust the slip yoke on the steering shaft by trying to slide the joint down the shaft a mm and see if that relieves the tension.


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shootmymime said:
Stiffer steering is generally seen by the shaft pulling upwards on the shaft that goes into the rack. Adjust the slip yoke on the steering shaft by trying to slide the joint down the shaft a mm and see if that relieves the tension.


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Click to expand...

Thanks. That was exactly what was going on. I moved it just a hair down and now it feels like it did before (minus the shaft play and popping)

I appreciate the help!
 
This is on my long list of things to do. After tightening up the rack guide, installing new bushings, and going through the front suspension, the knock in the column is the only part still loose. I remember doing this mod in my Tacoma many years ago, made a big difference.
 
Today I did the steering column fix with a roll pin. WHAT A DIFFERENCE!!!

This took all the slop out of my steering, no more dead spot right in the middle where it is unresponsive and it took the clunking/rattle noise that I would get driving over rough sections of road. Can't wait to get it out on a dirt road and feel the difference.

My only regret is not doing this when I first got the truck. Total time was just under 2 hours from grabbing the screwdriver to having all the tools up. I spent probably 20 minutes messing with the stupid clamshell over the steering column because it wouldn't let go and I didn't want to break it. I also ate a bowl of cereal after disconnecting the battery just to make sure there was nothing residual left in the system before I unplugged the airbag.

The roll pin I used was 3/16" and 1.5" long. For the drilling I started with a brand new 11/64" bit and drilled all the way through. Then went through with the 3/16" bit, also brand new. Then just pound the pin in, I used my roll pin punches, and reassemble. For reassembly I recommend connecting the lower joint that comes from the rack first as this will help keep everything in place as you try and line up the two upper allen bolts.

Also to make sure I got the column into the right position on the joint from the rack I marked not only the rotation of it, but also how far in it was. The rotation can't really adjust though because it is keyed.

As for the safety feature being "disabled" I'm not worried about it. The roll pin would have to be stronger than all the bolts holding the steering column in and the air bag should also be keeping you away from the steering wheel. I never intend to find out though...

Posting this in both threads on this fix on the forum, just incase someone only reads one thread...
 
Good that this thread came up, I was going to do some searching. When I go down washboard I get what feels like a rattle deep it the steering wheel. Not suspension play, but somewhere back behind the dash. I don't have this dead spot in the steering though, it seems responsive. Just rattle over washboard type road. Is this the same issue?
 
Grab the steering shaft from under the kick panel column with one hand and wiggle the wheel with the other. If there is play in it you will be able to tell, if there isn't then everything should wiggle together.
 
I wonder what (if any) years are effected more than others. My 97 with 418k is solid as can be. No play whatsoever from that joint.

This makes me wonder if it is not more year specific or possibly more likely to have play if the truck gets wheeled hard a lot. My truck never saw dirt for the first 350k before I got it. This might expain why there is zero play in mine even with high miles.
 
StreetCreeper said:
I wonder what (if any) years are effected more than others. My 97 with 418k is solid as can be. No play whatsoever from that joint.

This makes me wonder if it is not more year specific or possibly more likely to have play if the truck gets wheeled hard a lot. My truck never saw dirt for the first 350k before I got it. This might expain why there is zero play in mine even with high miles.
Click to expand...

They changed the design at some point I believe. I've never heard of an early 3rd gen having this issue. BFAD talked about it in his 01 build thread also, saying his previous 97 never had the issue, but his 01 did. I debated trying to swap the part out of an early 3rd gen, but this was easier and I didn't have to deal with trying to find a steering column from a non-wrecked 3rd gen, so roll pin it was.
 
StreetCreeper said:
I wonder what (if any) years are effected more than others. My 97 with 418k is solid as can be. No play whatsoever from that joint.
Click to expand...


I was about to do this mod and the steering rack guide mod on my 1998 4Runner because I had steering play and vibration. Then I saw my inner TRE had some minor play, so went ahead and replaced all the tie rod ends. While I was in there I also took apart the old style roller steering rack guide, cleaned it, then applied a generous amount of moly grease, and reinstalled. My ball joints and steering rack bushings were replaced a few years ago so those were still tight.

This has reduced almost all of my play and the steering wheel is smooth at high speeds. I can't believe how solid it feels now...like a brand new truck! Even did the toe alignment myself via the string method.
 
My 1997 is rock solid. My 1998 has steering vibration but like Noob said with his 98, maybe it's other problems.
 
Well I just pulled the steering out and I can't feel any noticeable play in that joint . But maybe that is because it is a shaft and it's hard to grip with my hand. I'll put a tack on it anyways.
 
Someone asked if you could index the position of the steering wheel with the spline at the bottom sleeve and someone else said you couldn't because it has a flat face. But I believe you can because the bolt goes beside the spline, it doesn't butt up to it. When my wheels were straight the lower 12mm bolt was in a really awkward position so I had to turn the steering wheel. This made it difficult to line it up right when I put it back in. I recommend using some white marker and write a line across the spline junction with the shaft so you can line it up properly.

I won't know if it worked until I take it out on the road and I won't take it out until the salt goes away so it might be a little while.
 
My 2000 suffers from this. I have about a 1/2 inch of play in the steering wheel. What would a fair price be to have a shop spot weld it?
 
I did this mod the other week and finally the rain came and washed all the salt away so I took it to work today and drove around on some rough areas, plus all the potholes in the roads from the recent cold weather. It is nice and tight now, no rattl. I wasn't sure if this would do it but it did. :rockon:

Edit: I did a tack weld.
 
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StreetCreeper said:
I wonder what (if any) years are effected more than others. My 97 with 418k is solid as can be. No play whatsoever from that joint.

This makes me wonder if it is not more year specific or possibly more likely to have play if the truck gets wheeled hard a lot. My truck never saw dirt for the first 350k before I got it. This might expain why there is zero play in mine even with high miles.
Click to expand...


From my research, there was a different shaft used in 96 and the first 1/2 of 97. No slip joint set up. Nothing to loosen or fix either. I haven't looked too seriously into the differences but I think the early shaft is thinner and the later is thinker due to the sliding set up, it's noticeable if you look from underneath.
 
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