rack and pinion bushing play?

Hello. I have an '01 stock SR5 my son drives. After doing a drain and fill on the tranny, I drove it to check hot fluid level and wasn't happy with the steering. Seems to be a bit of play before the steering actually starts turning and it feels like it drifts around a bit; not solid. I had the rack and pinion replaced a year or so ago and after watching Timmy the toolman vids, I have a question I hope someone can answer. I can see a little movement of the R&P as my son turns the steering wheel (car off, steering unlocked). Is it normal to have some play in the bushings that is noticeable in this scenario?

Thanks in advance.

 

How much are we talking? There should be nearly none. Maybe the hint of movement as the wheel changes direction.

But that is interesting because I have a similar feeling in my steering wheel and I replaced my rack and bushings with TOYOTA OEM parts and the feeling didn't go away. I think it's now in the steering gear that is in between the rack and the steering shaft.

 

Did you check your steering shaft for play? Grab the shaft behind the brake pedal and turn the steering wheel back and forth. It could be play in the collapseable shaft or the articulating ball for the wheel tilt mechanism. YouTube has a video on this and the fixes from Timmy the Toolman FYI.

I'm going to replace the bushings on the R&P as well as the sway bar with urethane ones and post results when done.

Good luck

 

Any resolution with these? I have a similar issue, I don't think it's the collapsible shaft... but I haven't been able to get the front end off the ground to check anything else. My mechanic said it's "normal" for an old vehicle and it's not out of limits. But it's annoying. My son drives the rig most of the time and I want the steering tight!

 

There should be a nut on the top of the steering box you just give it a quarter turn? Atleast my Sandrail and Rally Sport has this.