2002 Tundra Steering Shaft

I have a 2002 Tundra Access Cab, SR5 2wd. I bought it at dealer auction through a friend a few months ago and have been messing around with it since I got it. Unfortunately being sick with Covid set me back a while. The steering column was changed at some point, probably right before the auction because a couple nuts from the column were in the glove box. One thing I noticed after I bought it because I couldn't drive it before it hit the auction block is when the tires are straight, the steering wheel is 1/4 turn out of place. I can't remove steering wheel and re-install straight because of clock spring. Is there a simple way to break one of the shaft U-Joints and straightening wheel that way without dropping the entire column? Hoping the spline joint at firewall inside? Thanks

 

An alignment shop should be able to do it easily since they always adjust for the crown in the road.

l haven’t done it but if I had to guess it’s most likely the point where the steering column is joined to the intermediate shaft right near the floor boards.

Edit: I looked it up on youboob, it’s done with the toe alignment. Forget what I said about the steering shaft.

 

I actually had a similar problem and was told it's not advised to fix it this way. I forget the word empty lord used. If the steering wheel was removed, and it's now off center, it needs to be correct at the wheel, not from an alignment. Mine got off when I replaced the steering shaft seal and didn't line it back up correctly. I was off by 1 notch when I re-installed the shaft to the steering rack

What about the clock spring is preventing you from doing this? We've had several members remove and replace their entire steering wheel. I think there are videos online for our trucks.

 

As I recall, I could remove the steering wheel without any issue of disturbing the clock spring when taking my column apart.

 

I believe the clock spring is fixed to the column and meant to be an equal distance turn to right and left. So it is designed for 5 total spins (not sure what you would call it), 2-1/2 to the left and 2-1/2 turns to the right. I'm thinking if I was able to remove the steering wheel and re-position it to straighten the 1/4 turn, wouldn't the clock spring now be at risk of snapping because I'm turning it 1/4 turn more one way than the other? Maybe I'm over-thinking it? I just thought the easiest fix would be to remove the shaft off the steering knuckle u-joint and spin it until the steering wheel is straight, then slide the coupling back over the spline.

 

First things first, remove the inner rack boot clamp, slip it past the inner tie rod joint and measure the left and right travel between the backside of the inner tie rods.

If this is different left and right, you just need an alignment to re-center it.

If this is even, then pull the steering wheel and reinstall with it level.

 

Ok. This is what to do first. Go to the tie rods. Check the threads, exposed threads should be “close” (rarely exactly) the same side to side. If one side has more threads exposed than the other, it’s an alignment issue. If they’re even, the rack is not indexed to the steering column correctly. If the later is the case, remove the airbag, and pop the steering wheel off. Once the wheel is off you can move the wheel a tooth or 2 for it to be straight, from there the spiral cable will be able to be moved freely (BE CAREFUL NOT TO LET IT ROTATE ALOT)


If the rack is not indexed properly and it’s attempted to be fixed by way of alignment you risk possibly having too few threads in the tie rod that could lead to steering failure


you CAN do this at the rack to column joint, but it’s much more of a pain and if you let the wheel rotate 180 degrees you’re much more likely to damage the spiral cable assembly

 

This can be done too, but visually inspecting exposed threads on the inner tie rod will get it close enough to safely align