Loose/Wandering steering finally fixed!!!

TLDR AT THE BOTTOM

Been a lurker for a long time but I made an account just to share a success story. A year ago, I bought an abused 01 regular cab 2.4 2WD 5-spd Taco with the intention of using her as a reliable daily. She was dirty, smelly, and worst of all; handled like garbage. Anywho, I spent the better part of a week replacing nearly every consumable on the truck including the clutch, tie rods, ball joints, shocks, gaskets, water pump, etc.

Slapped on new tires, got an alignment and... still handled like crap. I shot a parts cannon at it over the next 11 months which consisted of an intermediate shaft, control arm bushings, low-mileage springs, and wheel bearings but nothing alleviated the problem. At highway speeds, it felt like the front end was all over the place. I had to constantly correct the steering wheel and gusts of winds felt like they damn near tipped the truck over. Couldn't do more than 65 mph on the interstate without being in a constant state of butt clench.

I finally got sick of it and opted to replace the rack and pinion thinking there's gotta be something wrong with it. As I'm about to pull it out, I noticed a peculiar looking cap and lock ring on the backside where the input/pinion shaft sits. Googled what it was and bingo! Been working on cars since I was 18 and did not know that a mere guide + spring + cap is what sets the preload on the rack. I was always under the assumption that the gear lash and resistance of the hydraulic seals controlled how stiff the steering was. The steering wheel was always unusually light but I never thought anything of it.

To my surprise, when I pulled out the Teflon-coated guide, it was in perfect shape. The only thing I can think of was the spring lost its shape over time. I looked at some parts diagrams and it turns out that Camrys, Avalons, and a few other Toyota models shared the same part number. Went off to the junkyard to pique my curiosity and also got a new one from the dealer. The spring that came out of my truck was like ~1.2 mm shorter than it should be so I threw it out. Found service info on setting the preload. They specify 18 lb/ft then loosen 19 degrees but there is no way you can get a torque wrench on it. I tightened it til "tight" and backed off 1/16th of a turn. Took her for a drive and it was too stiff. Loosened it another 1/16th of a turn, so 1/8th total.

I hit the 417 (Orlando's Autobahn) and it was beautiful. Hate to admit it, but I nearly hit triple digits getting so excited. All those hours wasted replacing suspension parts and crawling in the right lane didn't matter anymore.

Thinking back, I probably could've just tightened the cap a smidge and saved myself the junkyard and dealer trips. Or if we move back to the beginning, I'm sure there's a world where I would've replaced the rack altogether but then I never would've learned about rack preload. I'm just so glad I can finally take this baby long distances without peeing my pants. Someday, I hope this thread can be of help to someone.

TLDR: Truck wandered and steering felt loose. Replaced every part imaginable except the rack and pinion. Messed around with the large cap on the rack itself. Chucked a new spring in there and adjusted the preload. *tears of happiness*

 

Welcome aboard

 

Welcome and thanks for posting! I recently resurrected a 91 MR2 and it has a similar feeling when you get it up to speed. I was going to pull the rack and take a look but maybe I will start by checking the preload.

 

When I installed the new OEM steering rack I noticed the truck handling so much better.
Now I know why.

 

Thank you for posting your story!

I'm trying to understand what the preload does or what it doesn't do when not adjusted correctly. Does it allow fluid pressure in when it shouldn't and that tries to turn the wheels left or right, or is it somehow adding some resistance to the rack to keep it more stable when centered?

 

Preload functions as a built in steering damper. Some worm gear steering systems had dampers that looked like tiny shocks but more like the storm door closers. The rack and pinion preload eliminated the need for damper mounted to control arms/tie rods. Big improvement because the old style dampers wore out quickly causing road vibrations transferred to steering wheel.

 

The latter. It doesn't have anything to do with the PS fluid at all. The preload is simply spring pressure that pushes the rack into the pinion gear. When the spring wears out, backlash between the pinion and rack teeth increases and it leads to sloppy steering.

 

I'm having the same damn problem on my 99 prerunner that I got from a friend who had it sitting for a few years and only driven when it rained (rides most of the time to work) Pretty much all the suspension parts were trash/worn out which gives replaced most of and still rides like trash. Sways when I hit bumps on the highway (52 east in San Diego). I've yet to go back under the truck to look for this mysterious cap you mentioned. So far I've replaced the sway bar end links, tie rod ends and r/p bushings. Definitely a lot better but still swaying

 

does anyone know the part number for this pre-load spring? i'm feeling the exact same thing all of a sudden. I would try tightening it but want to replace it with a new part if possible. or a picture of where it is. I'll get under the truck this week to check it out. maybe try and tighten it to band-aid it for now to see if that is a problem.

 

which part is it?

 

is it this part?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/9050126074...N-90501-26074-OEM/352615314483?epid=658490111

 

https://www.oemgenuineparts.com/oem-parts/toyota-housing-assembly-spring-9050126074

i hope this is the right part. lol

 

You should post some pics of the MR2. I haven't seen one of those in a long time.

 

Timmy did a good video explaining not only how to do this procedure but how much it affects your steering and handling

 

Here is what I got for the whole set (Guide, spring, cap and nut) with prices:

45504-35031 GUIDE S/A, RACK 50.81/69.27
90501-26074 SPRING, COMPRESSION 2.06/2.82
45524-37010 Housing assy cap 18.14/24.74
90179-48003 Housing assy nut 1.20/1.64

 

you guys are all awesome. I'm glad I have you guys here to help others. I was so close to buying a steering rack. and I was gonna splurge on a new toyota rack. all it takes is a $6 spring (shipping)

 

the tack weld mod for the steering column also helps with wander on the highway.

 

I looked into that but I have to take apart more than I have time for. I know it sits in my garage untouched for weeks but it looks scary

side note I have a different cap then you guys. Mine is like a cup and has four notches in it. Like you need one of those brake caliper tools to remove it. So I just ordered the spring and it’s not here yet, I decided to tighten the cap. I tightened it about a 1/4 turn and took it for a spin. It was like night an day. At least I know what the problem is and the spring will fix it. Thanks again everyone for the help.

 

Great write-up.

 

Very good info. I welded my steering shaft this weekend and now I no longer have clunking and steering wander and just feels tighter overall. Awesome video by Timmy. A while back I tightened the rack preload too much and the steering wheel wouldn't return to center by itself so I backed it off to where it was. I never knew what the rack guide looked like til now. Makes me want to replace the guide and spring now.