Tie Rod: Is this normal? (Pic Heavy)

[TN22Corps]

Me rotating passenger side tie rod with my hand, ironically there's a feeling of drop-off and slop on passenger side when going over a pothole.

YouTube - IMG 0222

Additionally, took some pictures of other steering/suspension components.

 

[J-money$$$]

I think thats normal. The outer tire rod (the part you were twisting) attaches to the inner tie rod, The ITR is a ball joint, so that rotation should be fine. If you think it could be loose pull the steering rack boot off and check it out.

I would check if mine does that, but im not home

 

[ChildrenOfBodom]

Jasons right, the rotation is normal.

 

[TN22Corps]

Ok, driver's side OTR did not rotate like passenger's, but I replaced that less than 3k mi ago.

Still trying to pinpoint front end jello. Anything else look like it could be causing issues?

I jacked up the front end this morning and moved the tires up and down, side to side. Only movement was up and down with the upper control arm.

 

[ChildrenOfBodom]

Ok, driver's side OTR did not rotate like passenger's, but I replaced that less than 3k mi ago.

Still trying to pinpoint front end jello. Anything else look like it could be causing issues?

I jacked up the front end this morning and moved the tires up and down, side to side. Only movement was up and down with the upper control arm.

It's weird, I had the same thing. I just went to the yard and tried out 2 steering racks and both had one side free rotate. I bought one like that, but going to the garage and looking at it, both began rotating. Weird.

In what condition are the actual bushings holding the rack on? Those love to go bad. My brother claimed that it made his tacoma handle much better.

4Runner Steering Rack Bushing Kit - Wheeler's Off-Road, Inc

The other way to check for play is to put the front of the 4runner on a lift or jack stands to where both front wheels are dangling free, slide the rack boots away so you can see the inner tie rod. Have someone move the front wheels left to right and see if the main shaft (the "ring gear") moves around within the rack. It should be solid. It should not move at all other than side to side.

If that checks out, then change your outer mount bushings, the ones in that link I posted. If you get play, it's internal. You could try replacing the guide and seeing if it works, but usually it's two inner bushings that go bad and begin to leak.

If those bushings go bad inside, it's an absolute pain in the ass to fix. I don't even think it's worth doing.

That's when you hit up the junkyard for a low mileage truck with a nice steering rack and swappity swap.

 

[rjaudi]

Define front end jello. For starters it looks like you have original everything under there. Is that correct?

 

[J-money$$$]

My best guess for one spinning easier than the other is you have a worn Inner TRE. if the ball joint has play in it, They almost all do, then you could perhaps have less tension on the tre and make it easier to spin... If that makes any sense

 

[TN22Corps]

COB- I've already replaced the rack bushings with the Wheelers Offroad bushings, I figured I'd start with the cheapest, maybe not so easiest fix. That helped a bit, but not the solution.

rjaudi- AFAIK everything is original, going on 227, xxx. I'm the second owner trying to pick up the pieces..

By jello, I mean going over a pothole or other less-than-desirable roadway, it tends echo or jiggle like jello.

COB, I had the front end on stands and had my wife vigorously turn the wheel, lowered it to normal stance and had her do the same. Noticed some slight movement.

YouTube - IMG 0230

YouTube - IMG 0231


Thank you guys for all the support. I'm coming to my wit's end.

 

[J-money$$$]

THE SHAFT! LMAO.. Looks a little loose in the steering rack. There is a bushing in the rack that keeps tension on it. I bet its toast

 

[ChildrenOfBodom]

I agree with Jason. There are 3 bushings inside of the rack that keep the shaft stable. Over time, they're prone to losing their ability.

Mine went so bad that the shaft moves around a lot more and ATF is everywhere.

Yours doesn't look so bad, though, if you haven't done the guide replacement, that might be your cheapest and easiest bet.

 

[TN22Corps]

Hm, ok. So, the rack guide is a bandaid of sorts to prolong the bushings going out?

The rack guide guides the main shaft, the "ring gear" within the rack?

 

[J-money$$$]

It keeps pressure against the shaft in the rack. There was a write up floating around somewhere. I would google search it

 

[TN22Corps]

Thanks, I know the post you speak of. Could probably do it blindfolded, that's how many times I've pored over it.