Tie rod adjustment - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

stanno · 09-01-2010, 09:33 AM

I recently checked my tie rod adjustment and realised that they were unequal between the left and right side. i think this is why my car has been pulling to the left.

i checked the manual to see what's the right adjustment and it says "Adjustment standard: 1 ± 1 mm (0.04 ± 0.04 in.)"

could someone please explain what that means ??

Jimnist · 09-02-2010, 02:25 AM

It's your toe adjustment. Basically is points them in (like pigeon toes) or out (duck feet). There's no point doing this yourself, take your car to a workshop and ask them to align the wheels for you. They're much more accurate, to the 0.0xmm.

stanno · 09-02-2010, 09:16 AM

ok. point noted.

i recently notice something else. i changed my rack housing brackets & grommets couple days ago, i had bought the car with some bad ones and one bracket broke off leaving to drive temporarily with one. anyway, i changed it and now i'm concerned mainly about two things besides the uneven tie rod adjustment.

1. the car wanders sometimes.

details: if i accelerate from standstill, it's fine, until i back off the throttle, then the car veers from right to left and it's almost like there's some extra play in the steering when i try correcting it. i get this exact same sympton when i'm braking, the car veers side to side quickly when i apply the brake and am almost to a stop.

2. whenever i make a full lock left or right and release the steering, i hear this big "boong" sound, like something was released from under tension.

could you help me diagnose what this may be. i'm thinking maybe it's my rack end linkages. am i right ?

Jimnist · 09-03-2010, 02:37 AM

Make sure the rack is tight against the bulkhead/firewall - not the bolts alone but the rubber mounts as well. That seems to be your problem.

stanno · 09-03-2010, 11:53 AM

i got a diagnosis done by power steering specialists. turns out my rack is done for. gears are worn.

.

Thanks for the help.

stanno · 09-06-2010, 10:29 AM

okay, it seems all hope isn't yet lost. the same specialist recommended something to me. instead of replacing the current worn rack, he said that there is an adjustment that can be made to rid me of that extra play in the steering. he said it's a big allen key type bolt. would that be safe, or should i just replace as i had planned originally.