Steering Pinion Shaft Problems of Toyota Tacoma

Upon inspection to troubleshoot a minor power steering fluid leak, I noticed that the pinion input shaft housing (right side of power steering rack) had excessive rust beyond normal wear and tear. The rest of the rack did not exhibit the same degree of corrosion, suggesting a manufacturing or assembly defect. The condition was inspected by an independent certified mechanic and by Toyota technicians. The certified mechanic states that the condition is beyond normal wear but the Toyota technician denies that anything but a bolt is corroded.

See all problems of the 2011 Toyota Tacoma 🔎.

This truck has 12 years and 62,000 miles on it. I was making a u-turn last week, and when I finished the turn I heard the noise of something breaking. Then a clanking noise of metal on metal started to sound from under the steering column while turning the wheel and running over bumps. I also noticed excessive play on the turn of the steering wheel and vibration when driving above 50mph. I am a licensed auto tech and between the noise and the play determined that the truck was not safe to drive. I proceeded to diagnose the problem and found out that the mid steering shaft was worn out. The part connects the lower section of the steering column thru the firewall in the engine compartment to reach the rack and pinion assembly. The failed part is composed of two small shafts joined together by a rubber disk that acts as a damper. The shafts have a small metal base and in the section of the steering column it has a small u-joint. The small bases connect in two places at right angles to the rubber disk but the lower small shaft goes thru the center of the rubber disk and thru the center of base of the small u joint. At that point there is a plastic bushing that fills the gap between the two metals. That bushing broke and is the cause of the play and noise along a deteriorated rubber disk (see photos). This part has deteriorated over time and the rubber and plastic have degraded. I replaced the part but it has the same design and will fail again in the future. Many people fix the problem by filling the gap with zip ties as I found out searching the web. My main concern is that two pieces of the part are hold together by a rubber disk that deteriorates over time and if it breaks, the driver can loose directional control of the vehicle causing an accident. Also due to the high cost of repair, many people make mods to make the part work creating more hazards.

See all problems of the 2007 Toyota Tacoma 🔎.

New brunswick canada bought the 2009 Toyota tachoma 4x4 extended cab-off road truck last may 2-16 at saint john Toyota and shortly after noticed that some times the steering would get stiff and it felt like manual steering. I took it back to the dealership and was told that there was noting wrong. When on the highway and coming to a turn I grip the wheel with 2 hands and back of on the gas. In March I had the front shaft changed and on April 7th I had a new rack and pinion and pressure line from steering pump and steel lines on the pump replaced it cost me $1,200. 00. I drove about 20 kilometers and the steering worked great and I shut it off and when I started home it went stiff again. I'm have been afraid that if seizes up I'll be off the road or have a head on collision. The day I bought the truck I was informed by a Toyota employee that they had just received a recall on the rear leaf springs and they replaced them that day. If you are not the first owner does anyone from Toyota contact you?.

See all problems of the 2009 Toyota Tacoma 🔎.

I have 2005 Tacoma 4x4 with a frame that cracked and collapsed into its self were the left motor mount is welded to the frame. The motor came to rest on the steering shaft knuckle @ the rack and pinion making it difficult to steer. I called Toyota service center they told me it was the first time they had heard about this problem. Upon researching the problem on the web there are well over 200 complaints same problem. It is such a problem that a fabrication company dmz makes a gusset repair kit to repair and reinforce the frame. It's a bout a 10 hour repair. . Read more...

See all problems of the 2005 Toyota Tacoma 🔎.

Friday, September 27, 2013: while maneuvering out of my driveway, and through the 90 degree turns out of a suburb in washington state on the way to I-5 northbound, the steering of my well-maintained 6 speed manual 2005 access cab Toyota Tacoma trd 4wd felt alternately stiff and loose, as though the wheel was ratcheting. The wheel failed to return to center, requiring constant effort through all points of steering, with special care required to overcome the high and low peaks in resistance. Negotiating turns has become an imprecise, physically demanding and therefore unsafe exercise. . Read more...

I was driving down a county two lane road. As I approached a slight curve, the power steering seemed to fail and the truck ran off the edge of the road. I immediately slowed the vehicle, and with lots of muscle I steered the vehicle back onto the road. I jumped out of the vehicle to check for damage such as a leaking steering hose or broken serpentine belt. Not seeing any immediate damage, I slowly drove the vehicle about a mile and a half to my home. After a through investigation of the steering system, I discovered the intermediate shaft that attaches the steering column to the rack & pinion, had a frozen/binding universal joint. This universal joint is exposed to the elements and does not have a lubrication fitting. This item is not mentioned in the manual under periodic maintenance. Under a different circumstance, such as my wife driving the vehicle, this incident my have caused a lot of damage to the occupants and others around the vehicle.

Loose steering wheel shaft (internal).

See all problems of the 2000 Toyota Tacoma 🔎.