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Play at 3 and 9 o’clock on front wheels

Discussion in '1st Gen Tundras (2000-2006)' started by grzzlr, May 8, 2025 at 4:31 PM.

  1. May 8, 2025 at 4:31 PM
    #1
    grzzlr

    grzzlr [OP] New Member

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    Front end has new shocks, upper/lower arms, ball joints, and tie rods, and steering rack bushings in the past year… is it the steering rack or am I being paranoid and this is normal?


    thanks for your help!
     
  2. May 8, 2025 at 4:33 PM
    #2
    Sirfive

    Sirfive Master Procrastinator

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    Both sides or just one? Could be inner tie rods, could be the rack. Was the steering wheel locked down?
     
    grzzlr[OP] likes this.
  3. May 8, 2025 at 4:33 PM
    #3
    grzzlr

    grzzlr [OP] New Member

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    Oh I remember I also did the outer tie rods but I’m realizing we didn’t do the inner could the inner ones cause this level of play?
     
  4. May 8, 2025 at 4:34 PM
    #4
    grzzlr

    grzzlr [OP] New Member

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    both wheels, steering was not locked should I do that and check again?
     
  5. May 8, 2025 at 4:36 PM
    #5
    FrenchToasty

    FrenchToasty The Desert rat, SSEM #5/25, 6 lug enthusiast

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    Lock the steering wheel and only lift one side at a time to test
     
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  6. May 8, 2025 at 4:37 PM
    #6
    Sirfive

    Sirfive Master Procrastinator

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    Yea, or make a mental note of how much the steering wheel jiggles. The rack can wiggle a bit, the bushings can wear. And the factory steering lock isnt tight enough. I lock it, then bungie the wheel to sorta hold it to one side of the lock. One side at a time will usually solve that problem.


    jack the whole front end up, lay across and use your feet to stabilize one side while you jiggle the other side. You can usually see if the rack or bushings are loose.
     
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  7. May 8, 2025 at 4:39 PM
    #7
    FrenchToasty

    FrenchToasty The Desert rat, SSEM #5/25, 6 lug enthusiast

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    Sounds like a new yoga pose
     
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  8. May 8, 2025 at 4:41 PM
    #8
    grzzlr

    grzzlr [OP] New Member

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    Locked the wheel, raised one side at a time and the play persists
     
  9. May 8, 2025 at 4:43 PM
    #9
    Sirfive

    Sirfive Master Procrastinator

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    Did you replace the inner tie rods?
     
  10. May 8, 2025 at 4:45 PM
    #10
    Sirfive

    Sirfive Master Procrastinator

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    I call it spitroasted by engineers.

    but the beauty is you can hold a wheel with your hands and wiggle the other at your feet to help determine which inner tie rod it is.
     
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  11. May 8, 2025 at 4:46 PM
    #11
    grzzlr

    grzzlr [OP] New Member

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    No I realized we hadn’t done those, I’ll start there. Should I go OEM?
     
  12. May 8, 2025 at 4:48 PM
    #12
    Sirfive

    Sirfive Master Procrastinator

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    i didnt. But i’m no role model.
     
  13. May 8, 2025 at 6:47 PM
    #13
    ATBAV8

    ATBAV8 New Member

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    Always. If you can.
     
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