Freeplay in wheel

[Alin10123]

Ok, so i've got some freeplay in my steering wheel. It has happened once before and the service advisor previously was very willing to help me fix it and he did. However, he is no longer working at the stealer anymore. The freeplay is back and so i went in for an alignment (i needed it anyway) and i figured that they could tighten up what needed to be tightened while the truck was up on the lift. The new service advisor looked up my previous tickets and confirmed that the problem had been fixed there before (loose rack bolt). Before i knew it, truck was on/off the alignment rack and back in the "exit lane" at the service center. I went up to check the freeplay and the advisor insists that this is normal! I know that this is not normal because my buddy's 4runner does not do that. His steering has very little freeplay. His even has more miles and is the same year and make as mine. The tech at the dealer also said that the suspension components weren't worn out.

So after i get home, i crawl under the truck while my buddy moves the wheel back and forth. I can see that the freeplay occurs somewhere before the steering rack. The play is actually coming from inside the steering box. When the steering wheel is moving back and forth, the control arms on either side aren't moving at all. So i know that the freeplay is coming from inside the box.

Anyone know which "bolt" the dealer tightened up the first time? Or is there a bolt i can tighten to reduce freeplay inside the box? Or anything i can do to reduce freeplay?

thanks

[Alin10123]

By the way, it's a 2000 4runner limited 2wd

[subliminaltrips]

Originally Posted by Alin10123

By the way, it's a 2000 4runner limited 2wd

it should be a screw on the steering box that has a bolt around it securing it... not for sure but on my truck i had the same problem and i tightened the rack on it.. only thing is i dont have power steering on my truck so it may be different on yours if it as power steering...

[subliminaltrips]

Originally Posted by subliminaltrips

it should be a screw on the steering box that has a bolt around it securing it... not for sure but on my truck i had the same problem and i tightened the rack on it.. only thing is i dont have power steering on my truck so it may be different on yours if it as power steering...

by the way if it was on the rack they probabally didnt do it because its on the top of the box usually under the hood. if that doesnt fix it check the idle arm for looseness.

[Alin10123]

Originally Posted by subliminaltrips

by the way if it was on the rack they probabally didnt do it because its on the top of the box usually under the hood. if that doesnt fix it check the idle arm for looseness.

For my model, i believe that the steering box is actually underneath the truck behind where the skid plates are up front.

What year model are you refering to?

thanks

[Alin10123]

Ok, here are some pics. I can't find the bolt you are refering to. I will post pics of what i see under the hood and underneath where i see the steering box.

These first two are looking down into the hood.





These next two are what i see while underneath.





I cant seem to see what you are talking about based on these pics. Am i looking in the right spot?

thanks

[subliminaltrips]

not sure on that setup man mine is a 94 2wd pickup with manual steering. i dont see anything like the adjustor on mine.

[Alin10123]

Originally Posted by subliminaltrips

not sure on that setup man mine is a 94 2wd pickup with manual steering. i dont see anything like the adjustor on mine.

Any 3rd generation owners out there have any advice?

thanks

[Alin10123]

Originally Posted by Alin10123

Any 3rd generation owners out there have any advice?

thanks

Ok... took my truck to an independant shop today. When the mechanic lifted up the truck on the alignment rack and someone got in to move the steering wheel. He literally could see that the entire steering rack had some freeplay. That was the cause of the instability. Also, he put his hand on the left tierod and felt that it has probably gone bad. He said the right side is ok, but the left may need to be replaced.
Looks like (picture4) the smaller nut underneath the big nut needs to be tightened and there's another bracket that physically holds the steering rack in place needs to be tightened too. He said that the bushing may have gotten worn out and that's why it's loose.

Anyone have a good source for parts?