2004 Tundra Steering Rack Preload adjustment

Hey has anyone adjusted the preload on their Tundra/Sequoia before? I know it's a big deal on 4Runners but their adjustment seems to use a standard socket while ours does not. Recently bought and installed the rack off someone who looks to have adjusted this and the steering is a little loose now, the screw itself definitely sticks out more than my old rack I took out. Looking for advice on where I can find a tool to do this I can't seem to get this to move.

 

I’ve been under the assumption to not ever touch that nut.

@empty_lord may be able to give some advice.

 

This is interesting. I started a thread asking about a loose clunk in my steering rack. My golf cart has an adjustment for this, I was wondering if our rack had any type of adjustment.

 

From a 4Runner owner on another forum ;

I'm almost at 395,000 miles on my '01 4Runner - bought it new with 2 miles on the clock. I can't tell you how many times I've carefully adjusted that drag/preload adjuster over the years. Quite a few times.
I always have a few of the correct-sized Oetiker stainless band clamps on hand. Every other year or so I'll find that the steering is either too light or exhibits a clunk over irregularities. I cut the clamp, slide the dust boot to the left, and proceed to carefully dial in a bit of drag. Once satisfied that the rack is snugged up without binding, I install a new clamp & carry on.

 

Just to make sure we are on the same page.

 

@Professional Hand Model yes that's it!!! seems like some huge Star Key or Proprietary Toyota Tool.

 

Ok. We’ll wait for the sexy vocal corded one to chime in later. I thing I remember him saying to not touch this. Stay tuned!

 

Some FSM to help with the Mojo.

 

Seems like what i'm looking for is this "Hexagon Wrench" which has no SST#

 

You got this. Report back!

 

Yea we don’t mess with these guides. By the time they’re out of adjustment the racks typically leaking like a siv

 

SST is everywhere in there. It's just special service tool. Bean counter nomenclature.

 

I took a quick measurement on mine, looks like what you need is a 27mm hex key/bit. That's about 1 1/16th" That's a big hex key, an alternative is find a bolt with that hex size and have a nut welded to it and you have your own home made version of that tool.

 

Keep in mind that Rack Guide Spring Cap is a non-reusable part. Danga danga!

 

Hey so this is real ironic- the OP on this posted just before I was about to ask about my own rack and reference this huge Allen/hex head adjustment. Just noticed yesterday that I have fluid very lightly dripping /seeping out of the threads of this screw. Also notice some seeping /weeping ever so slightly out of the other regular hex bolt underneath that one (that faces directly down to the ground). Does this mean the rack is shot? It’s a NAPA rack that I had installed by a shop literally about 12 months and less than 5 or 6 thousand miles ago

 

Honestly seepage from there ain’t uncommon. If you touch it the warranty is void on remans. If it’s bothering you, have it warrantied. If not just monitor it. If it were me. I’d probably warranty it because I hate fluid leaks and seeps

 

yeah I hear what you’re saying , I don’t like seeps or leaks either and since the NAPA is warrantied for 2 years/24 k that’s what I will probably do before 2 years is up. Just to clarify though, there is nothing or at least may not be anything inherently wrong with the integrity of the rack Or seals inside if there’s seepage from that giant star key- -or the bolt underneath that faces the ground ? Do you think I should unclamped the boots and check for fluid in the inner rod boots for the heck of it? I can’t remember how full it was last year after they did the new rack but yesterday I filled the reservoir up to Cold Max from basically Cold Min

 

You can. And yea there is a seal where it’s weeping but the see is so common on remans I’m pretty sure it’s just because well, it’s a reman.