When i go over bumps or pull into my driveway, my steering wheel jiggles in the column. Ive checked the steering rod and it seems to be in good shape. Does anyone know what might be causing this? Could there be something broken inside of the steering column?

 

you might want to give a little more info on your rig..that way someone might be able to relate to it.

 

Can you move the steering wheel by hand back and forth in the column or does it only happen when you hit a bump? Have not heard of this problem with T's

 

It only happens when i hit bumps and i cannot get it to knock when i move the steering wheel without driving.
Although when i move the wheel back and forth when the truck is parked on each side of the play in the wheel it feels and sounds like its bumping or knocking something.

 

Check your dampener, that might be a good place to start.

Todd

 

Well I'm stumped, Hopefully someone will have an idea. I'm not sure about the steering dampener, where is that located?

 

Forgot that model doesn't have the dampener, my bad. Could be a power assist valve or the rack & pinion could be binding up. Do you experience the same popping and rough steering if you are at a stop and try to turn the wheels? Get back w/ me when you can. Sorry about misleading you on the first suggestion.

Todd

 

It is not exactly a popping in the steering but the steering wheel will move in the column like it is loose but only when i hit bumps or go into a drive way. At my school there is a certain driveway that is rather steep and when i hit that one...you can actually hear the wheel in the column knocking, its like a "clunk clunk" sound and you can feel it also. I have checked my idler arms movements to see if it is in sync w/ the rest of my IFS steering components and it seems to be although it still could be the idler arm. I just dont know.

 

Well after hashing it out with a few of the techs here, one suggested steering stops might be an issue. Have you checked those out yet? They are located on the knuckle and list for $5.44 a piece, lets hope that is what it is.

Todd

 

I dont think it would be the steering stops as they are located right behind the tire/wheel and are not connected to the steering shaft. When those are bad they squeel and grind when turning hard to one side. shouldnt affect the steering column at all.

 

what about the steering shaft u joints? could those be loose or broken or need new bushing or something?

 

Jack up the front and move the passenger front wheel up and down with your hand. If the idler is shot, there will be a lot of movement at the idler. I know cause mine just got replaced yesterday and I saw first hand how shot it was. I got the old one back and plan to rebuild it for a spare.

 

Yesterday when I said there was no steering dampener I was looking at a 4x2 model in my computer. The 4x4 does have one that is located on the center steering link. My A-man on our best team said that if you have oversized tires that this would definitely magnify the issue. This guy has over 20 years worth of experience up underneath trucks and vehicles, take it for what it is worth.

Todd

 

if you have a tilt wheel this may help. check the tilt ball joint. dealer replaced the whole steering column on mine but you may be able to replace the ball joint only for a lot less.

 

Sounds like the rack busing, I have had to replace mine twice in 180,000 miles.

 

No rack on the 4x4.

Mine does he same thing. I like the idea that it's in the column the best; I hadn't thought of that. Another thought is that the steering box may be out of adjustment.

 

I have the same problem on my 98 TRD.

Anyone have a diagram of steering column?