2004 Tundra steering rack

2004 tundra 4x4.200k miles.
Long story short…
Around 3 months ago the steering rack assembly was replaced because of a screeching noise when turning.
After a couple days the noise came back.Then I noticed the rack was moving side to side in the right rubber bushing.Mechanic then installed a new bushing.Problem came back a couple weeks later,noise when turning with the rack moving side to side.Right bushing replaced again along with right outer tie rod .
Now,about a month and a half later the noise and rack movement are back.
Any help would be appreciated!

 

Like a high pitched screeching, not a groaning? It's the rack shifting around any?

 

Have we approached the idea that (A) the pump may be going bad or (B) you got a shitty aftermarket rack and/or defective aftermarket rack?

 

Yes kinda like metal on metal.
But doesnt make the noise after a new bushing and the rack not moving side to side when turning.

 

Yeah I got some push back from the parts shop about the rack being defective.

 

Is there any clear sign where you've had metal-on-metal rubbing with the rack?

Someone posted a video on here recently of their rack "naturally" moving left and right about 1/3" in either direction when turning lock to lock. I've never been on the ground under mine with the wheels up to see what my low-mile factory rack does in the same situation though.

 

No clear sign of metal on metal.
Cant tell for sure but
may be coming from ball joint/ tie rod area area the passenger side.Doesnt make the noise when the rack doesnt move
while turning.

 

I did notice the steering feeling a little spongy when turning right before the noise came back

 

And have you done a push/pull test with the wheels jacked up, grabbing at 12/6 o'clock, 3/9 o'clock, and then at diagonals, just to make sure you have nothing else going on?

 

No but I’ll check it.
Thanks for your help!

 

wonder if upgrading the clamp would help

https://optoffroad.com/products/hd-billet-rack-clamp?variant=43582790598914

 

Very well could be a clamp problem.
Also with poly bushings
Thanks guys!

 

I can't seeing it being a clamping problem unless it's loosely clamped. The rack bushing only goes prematurely bad when PS fluid leaks all over it.

That is a pretty billet aluminum clamp but kind of unnecessary.

 

How many miles on the lower ball joints? Is it possible that one or both of them is dry/unlubricated, and the ball and socket are grinding together?

 

I bought the truck at 140k,has 200k now.
I agree.Dont know if they are the original but I think ball joints are at least part of the problem.

Friday the ball joints and struts will be replaced.
I’ll post an update afterwards.

 

Update
Lower ball joints and struts fixed the noise problem.
Drives and handles fine but still have the side to side movement on the steering rack.
Will try the poly bushings next.

 

This is why I was asking to do the push-pull test earlier, I had suspicions.

I think I mentioned earlier, but too lazy to look up, a little movement in the rack while turning has been reported before, and we must assume is intentional, hence the rubber bushing.

As long as you used OEM lower ball joints, you should be fine. You don't want to be any of these folks (and the thousands more) who failed to heed warnings about using aftermarket LBJs: , , link, link, link, link, link, link, link (and there's ample more where these came from)

 

Steering rack movement was reported frequently on the old TS forum and the consensus was design flaw. Several posts reported fixing it with polyurethane bushing kit from Wheelers Off-road about $30. OEM bushings can’t be purchased from Toyota. They want to sell you the whole rack

 

And I think you don't even need to remove the whole rack, just c-clamp it into place, and remove one bolt at a time, replace one bushing at a time?

 

Correct. They can be a pain to replace but no need to remove rack. Just got to fight with it a bit.

 

You can add poly without removing the rack. Or rubber if you like. Some have talked about burning the driver side bushing out. Mine tapped out. It's not a small deal but not a big one.

 

Thanks guys!
Poly bushings are next .
Just gotta decide whether to try replacing them myself.
From what Ive read and a video I saw,the middle one Looks hard to get to and can be be pain to get the bolt started back in.