Roy

My 2002 Tacoma Prerunner V6 truck has 46,600 miles on it 60% all highway miles. Lately I have noticed that it seems the steering is a little harder to turn, not much but I am noticing something different. Tire pressure is at 30 psi, stock sized Bridgestone Duelers. Wheels are the 16's which are factory aluminum. Anyway I checked the power steering fluid hot it was at the bottom of the hot line so I added a tiny bit, no different. I searched this forum and noticed Taco's (toyotas in general) seem to have a problem in the rack in pinion area. Looked at mine while turning the wheel and my rack moves a little bit side to side when turning the wheels. I have no steering slop or play & I do not get any steering wheel movement over bumps. Like I said my only deal is with it being a little harder to turn lately. Maybe I am getting weaker The bushings in the rack look okay from a visual inspection. Is rack movement normal? I am about ready to take it to the stealer for a look over on the steering, do I really have a problem or is it just me reading to much on the internet This truck should not have a steering problem it has never been off the pavement but once and that was a gravel road. I have no popping sounds while turning the wheels. It almost feels to tight going down the road is that possible. I hear the pump working when I turn the wheels sitting still, motor revs a bit so I guess that is the pump doing it.

Any help appreciated I would like to keep the truck a little longer but $900 dollar rack in pinions will make me get rid of it in a heart beat.

Alin10123

Worst case scenario you can get a remanufactured rack and pinion for $265 shipped!
My wheel isn't hard to turn, but i do have a bit of slop in the wheel that's driving me nuts. I can't stay in a straight line on the highway and i'v checked all suspension components.

I dont think you'll have anything to worry about. Maybe you have a leak in the hydraulic system for your steering?

Yes, with the rubber bushings on the steering rack, a little bit of movement is normal. If you want no movement, you will have to upgrade to polyurethane bushings.
You can find part #'s and a writeup of the upgrade here

http://www.keystonekrawlers.com/Mods...eeringBush.htm

It's for a 1996 tacoma, but hey... worked on my 2000 4runner... so it may even work on your 02 tacoma.

Hope this helps.

boogyman

I don't think your rack should move when turning the wheel.. sounds like your bushings are shot. I had the same thing in my steering rack (2000 taco) and replaced the bushings like the directions from the link above... no more play in the steering rack, and steering is noticeably better.