Steering Wheel Play - Not the Slip Joint

[CarlosV]

Circling back to close the loop on this thread. I took my column apart again this weekend (I had already welded the slip joint previously) and put a spacer in between the two balls of tilt mechanism as [MENTION=271883]T4topher[/MENTION] suggested. Put everything back together and the play I had is 100% eliminated. The steering is the tightest it has ever felt.

Very happy since I've been fighting this ever since I bought the truck and the slip joint was loose. Fingers crossed I never have to pull the column out and mess with it again!

Thanks a lot cblock. Great that video recommended. How is your fix holding on?
Question
Do you know if the 4 gen (2003 SR5) has the same 2 ball tilt mechanism?
Carlos

 

[cblock406]

Thanks a lot cblock. Great that video recommended. How is your fix holding on?
Question
Do you know if the 4 gen (2003 SR5) has the same 2 ball tilt mechanism?
Carlos

Steering is still tight and feels great. Sorry, I do not know about the 4th gen.

 

[Kanoe]

If anyone is looking to replace the split ball, check out this post. I found a source for them.

Steering Shaft Play - Beyond the Tack Weld

 

[Aeroelastic]

Hi all, I am new to the forum. Sorry to re surrected this old thread. But I have been reading about the infamous steering play slip joints and tilt ball posts in this forum. Fantastic information!! As I have been chasing this issue for a while now.

But i am based across the pond in England and my truck is a 90 series Prado JDM 1996 3.0td. Although this model is not available in the US, it shares the same chassis with the Gen 3 and uses almost same parts. I have been watching Timmy's videos a lot. My Prado steering knocks and feels loose on gravel road. Worse than my Lexus rx400h. A lot worse.

My slip joint doesn't has play when I check by using the one hand on steering and one hand grabbing the column method. But my UJs at the intermediate shaft move a lot when I grab the column and shake it.

See video linked below in Facebook;
登录 Facebook
The play at the UJs is quite a bit.

I am going to attempt the adding a shim to the tilt ball fix. Any advice please? I assume this play is the main culprit of my bad steering feel. Also feels loose on freeway speed 60-70mph.

Thanks.

 

[cblock406]

Hi all, I am new to the forum. Sorry to re surrected this old thread. But I have been reading about the infamous steering play slip joints and tilt ball posts in this forum. Fantastic information!! As I have been chasing this issue for a while now.

But i am based across the pond in England and my truck is a 90 series Prado JDM 1996 3.0td. Although this model is not available in the US, it shares the same chassis with the Gen 3 and uses almost same parts. I have been watching Timmy's videos a lot. My Prado steering knocks and feels loose on gravel road. Worse than my Lexus rx400h. A lot worse.

My slip joint doesn't has play when I check by using the one hand on steering and one hand grabbing the column method. But my UJs at the intermediate shaft move a lot when I grab the column and shake it.

See video linked below in Facebook;
登录 Facebook
The play at the UJs is quite a bit.

I am going to attempt the adding a shim to the tilt ball fix. Any advice please? I assume this play is the main culprit of my bad steering feel. Also feels loose on freeway speed 60-70mph.

Thanks.

Good luck! Once you have the column out I'd still inspect the slip joint, and take care not to damage the splines of the lower column shaft or you won't be able to get it back into the intermediate shaft.

 

[Aeroelastic]

Thanks for the response. Nice rig you have there.
One quick question, do I need to leave the key in the unlock (acc) position all the time when the column is pulled out, or can I remove the key as soon as I remove those screws on the plastic cover behind the wheel? Don't want to mess up the steering system. But I will disconnect the battery first anyway.
Just want to be sure.