Steering play

Gaz mr-s · August 10, 2024, 20:36

I've just acquired another 2 & it has steering play. The (reputed) Toyota steering u/j is 3 or 4 years old. It already doesn't look pretty, but filming it & moving the steering wheel doesn't show any play. Track rod ends? What's the easiest way to check them?

Carolyn · August 11, 2024, 08:53

Jack the front end up. With the steering locked, waggle the front wheels.

Gaz mr-s · August 11, 2024, 13:21

@Carolyn ....... nope, feeling nothing. I tried a big screwdriver in the u/j, don't see any play. Partner Caroline noticed it immediately jumping from hers into mine.
There is some clunk from upper steering column, but not something I've ever checked before.

Carolyn · August 11, 2024, 13:45

Hmmm... Upper U joint? Hold lower U joint still with vice grips and wobble the steering wheel.

Gaz mr-s · August 11, 2024, 13:51

Never heard of one failing before.....but an easy check.

Carolyn · August 11, 2024, 14:07

just a thought... What tyres has it got?

Gaz mr-s · August 11, 2024, 15:50

Quote from: Carolyn on August 11, 2024, 14:07just a thought... What tyres has it got?

That afterthought may be the answer. Pretty old Toyo T1R that are starting to perish.
I bumped them up to 42 psi & tried the car briefly....better. I only took out insurance for a week for it, which has expired, because I knew I wouldn't be using it, so I won't change the wheels/tyres today.

Thanks C.

Jay · August 11, 2024, 18:23

Have a quick look at the steering rack mounting points just in case it's like mine. I noticed my steering was very vague but couldn't fault the joint or track rods but saw a post on here when researching about it - low and behold that was the issue.

Gaz mr-s · August 11, 2024, 19:09

Quote from: Jay on August 11, 2024, 18:23Have a quick look at the steering rack mounting points just in case it's like mine. I noticed my steering was very vague but couldn't fault the joint or track rods but saw a post on here when researching about it - low and behold that was the issue.

What was wrong with it/them?

Jay · August 12, 2024, 09:54

They can crack which introduces a bit of play. Looks like cast aluminium (I'm no expert) but I'll see if I can upload a pic later. Old one is still lying in the yard ready for dumping.

Gaz mr-s · August 12, 2024, 11:52

Quote from: Jay on August 12, 2024, 09:54They can crack which introduces a bit of play. Looks like cast aluminium (I'm no expert) but I'll see if I can upload a pic later. Old one is still lying in the yard ready for dumping.

Yeah, I know about cracking, I thought you were meaning something different.

cptspaulding · August 13, 2024, 11:50

I had a replacement lower UJ from a supplier I shall not name but he does almost exclusively MR2, Celica & Supra parts (aye you know who I mean now). After just 2 years I had that movement & clunk on the steering with 1-2cm turns on the steering wheel. Spoke to the business owner - out of guarantee & claims he'd never had that before. Said he now had better ones & did I want to order another?

I searched a bit & found a OEM at a reasonable price & went with that.

Joesson · August 13, 2024, 13:25

Quote from: cptspaulding on August 13, 2024, 11:50I had a replacement lower UJ from a supplier I shall not name but he does almost exclusively MR2, Celica & Supra parts (aye you know who I mean now). After just 2 years I had that movement & clunk on the steering with 1-2cm turns on the steering wheel. Spoke to the business owner - out of guarantee & claims he'd never had that before. Said he now had better ones & did I want to order another?

I searched a bit & found a OEM at a reasonable price & went with that.

I find that report surprising and upsetting, having sometimes bought from him and found his service and prices to be good and suggested him to others on here.
Having bought only Toyota or SuperPro branded parts from him I have no complaint.
It was said that he only supplies pattern parts when he has confidence in the product, perhaps it was him that said it!