Steering rack rotational slop

I have been having some very bad, intermittent front end shuddering lately. In chasing this down I have replaced front pads and rotors and rebuilt the calipers. I have also replaced the outer tie rod end on the passenger side and I am currently working on replacing the inner tie rod end on the driver side. In doing, so that’s when I noticed, I have significant rotational slop in the driveshaft. I am currently attempting to upload a short video, but I have very poor Internet, and it is taking forever. I instead will upload two pictures. The difference between the two is pretty subtle in the pics (but not in real life), but noticeable after applying clockwise rotation to the inner tie rod end.

Is this much normal? Or is that impossible to tell with just these pictures. As soon as the video gets uploaded, if it does, I will post that.

Edit: Deleted pics as the video uploaded quicker than I expected.

 

That uploaded faster than I expected.
https://youtube.com/shorts/dDLyaDLYIjE?feature=shared

 

Ha Ha with my internet it would abort a few times if I ever got it down load at all.

Just how much left to right play do you have.

With the tires on the ground?

 

I get that, I think there is a competition between phone data and the Internet I pay for as to which is worse. When one is bad I switch to the other and vice a versa, neither of which are very good.

 

I edited my post look again

 

Well it is too late for me to go back to check but what I remember was a bout an inch or two, maybe. I had replaced most of the front end components about four years ago.

 

I’m thinking this may be my next step: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...-wheel-and-rack-pinion-2000-prerunner.390590/

 

Subbed as my rack has similar play, though not as much and it’s a 2nd gen.
See if tightening the guide helps with this looseness and dead zone of about 15° in the steering wheel.

 

(113) Steering Rack Guide Replacement - YouTube

 

Has anyone had any luck with tightening the nut on the back of the rack to snug it up?

 

Yeah that would be first thing I'd try....

I would take off the inner tie rods on both sides....

and have someone turn the wheel and see if the roller is shot...

you might even pull that roller out and inspect.......timmy videos....

what have you got to lose....


If its not leaking fluid ......I think you got a good chance.....

take it to a mechanic.....and he may lie to you......or just flat be an idiot...

 

I've never seen one that loose.....So I can hardly wait for the out come...

 

I had to replace this rack and Pinion a few years back and it is still under warranty so I will just be replacing the whole thing. I looked at the parts for replacing the guide and it looks like it would be about 100 bucks. If it was half the cost I would probably just do that.

 

45504-35010 Toyota End sub-assy, steering rack New Genuine OEM | eBay

 

Yup, 100 bucks. I'd rather replace the whole rack and inner tie rod ends for no more money than update for 100-although it would be a lot easier.

 

Around $69 at McGeorge (???) This is for a 2001-04 but your part should be similar.

https://parts.mcgeorgetoyota.com/oem-parts/toyota-end-sub-assembly-steering-rack-no-2-4550435031

OEM rack goes for around $495 at McGeorge and includes ITRE's, boots and inner bushings (does not include the C clamp bushing.)

 

Yeah, but I would need more than just that one part- the 2001+ rack guide, the 2001+ cap, apparently the spring can be reused at least.
So I can do that or get a new (reman) rack for “free” and replace that again. I’m leaning toward the latter.

 

yes, but this is significantly more play than I had.

 

Yeah i think there is something wrong or missing in there...

you really wont know until you dig in there....

my guess is if its not leaking....its worth saving....