Tie-Rod, Wheel bearing or is it fine?

Figured I’d put this out to a wider audience. Want to make sure my truck is safe.

My driver wheel has back and forth movement (3 & 6 o’clock) hand position. Can’t figure out what it is. Lower ball joint boot has a bit of grease coming out the bottom. No tears. Zero up and down movement. I think it’s fine. I attached a video of the movement. The clunking sound is the steering column moving and hitting its “limit” (when the truck is off). I checked all the suspension bolts. Also attached a photo of the tie-rod. Very tiny bit of grease seeping from that joint. No clue if that would make that movement. It all seems tight. 48k on the truck. 3” bilstein lift. Any input is greatly appreciated. Drives fine, no sounds at all.
https://youtube.com/shorts/fZtV_u5PjD8?si=qQVsTP8dpBe4as6m

 

Not sure how to get the video clip uploaded. I thought we could use a link from Imgur? Has that changed? Thanks.

 

I’ve not posted videos but from what I’ve read is YouTube links are the key.

 

Figured it out. Thanks!

 

That would bother me if it was my truck. Seems to be tie rod or steering related.. but then it looks like some play in the upper and lower ball joints.. then i think i see play in the shaft part of the tie rod. Maybe some play in all of them. How many miles? please let us know what you figuire out.

 

I agree. Really don’t want to bring it to Toyota. But idk what else to do. Have to make sure it’s safe. Drive a little one to daycare everyday.

 

48k. Brand new JBA upper control arms. Checked all the bolts everywhere. The lower control arm ball joint is seeping a little bit of grease. I did the up and down test. It has zero play that way. The sound is the steering column rotating as I wiggle it. I can see and hear it hitting its “stops” (don’t know what the term is for how far it goes when engine is off). It’s like the whole thing is moving. No loose bolts. I’m stumped. If I had to guess , tie-rod?? Wheel bearing?? No clue. I’m not an expert. Might bring it to a local shop before going to the stealership.

 

The seeping is no biggie. Mine do that stock truck.

 

In the video, are you moving the tire with the vehicle off the ground/on a lift? Or is the vehicle on the ground and with someone moving the steering wheel?

 

I lifted the driver side and am moving back and forth. Thanks.

 

Yes. I figured if there is no up and down play it’s ok. Leaning towards tie-rod. Would a bad tie-rod make it turn the steering system easier like that?

 

That looks like a lot of deflection for manipulating the tire.

If you were manipulating the steering wheel, I wouldn’t think much of it if the steering felt solid.

from the video, it looks like wheel bearing, but with that much movement it should be obvious; the lower ball joint appears sloppy too

lower ball joint looks ok, just translating movement from the knuckle. Looks like outer tie rod end is moving a little less than the knuckle. That’s probably the problem

 

Yea I’m hoping it is just the tie-rod. Lower ball joint looks like this. Wiped the grease away and found no rips. But zero up and down movement or noise. Steering feels fine. No clunks or noises.

 

Looks ok from the video. It will never be rock solid tight. If the wheel bearing is bad enough you should be able to see the CV axle wobbling in the spindle.

 

I was wondering if it was just the natural tolerances on my truck. Again, I’m not a mechanic. If it was the tie-rod or bearing, wouldn’t the clunking and movement come before the steering column even turns and hits?

 

it looks like a wheel bearing issues and the 2 lower bolts for the spindle look like they are a little loose.

 

Are the two lower bolts your talking about the ones that are on each side of the ball joint bolt? I checked both. Torqued to the 221ft/lbs. if it were a wheel bearing, wouldn’t there be movement back and forth when I grab 12/6 O’clock also?

 

Am I seeing movement on the threaded part of the tie rod where it connects to the steering rack? Right where the the locking nut and the tie rod end thread together ??

 

I think it’s the video focusing. The entire tie-rod is moving through the steering. When it’s not pouring rain I’m going to test it again.

 

I was forgot to mention the inner tie rod could also be the the problem

 

Yea. I think I’ll disconnect the tie rod and then test the inner. If it’s bad it should just drop down right?

 

I would also push it in and out as well and if it loose it’s probably toast

 

Will do. Thanks. Hoping nothing wrong with my rack & pinion.

 

Im not saying nothing is wrong with our trucks but my 2020 does the exact same movement and it drove me crazy. I noticed it about 40k miles ago and just been driving it since. Ive given up on it

 

Yea I wonder if it’s just the tolerance in the steering. I notice no issues or noises while driving. Pulled pretty hard on the tie rod and no movement. You’re still going strong at 40k. Makes me feel better about it ha. It be interesting to know how many do it? Maybe just a thing like the uneven tire poke. I’ll still prob get it checked out.

 

You can check the bearing by push/pulling on the tire at 12 and 6, that takes the tie rod/steering out of the equation. Is it the same on both sides?

 

No up and down movement (12/6)

 

Welp… bit the bullet and took it to Toyota. Two techs looked at it and said there was nothing wrong. They attributed the movement to my lift and bigger tires…. They checked the entire suspension and said everything looked ok. I guess that is good news. I don’t hear or feel anything when I drive. Not sure how I feel about this diagnosis.

 

I think your good for now. Just keep an eye on everything, as lifts tend to wear parts out faster.