1999 Loose Steering issue can it be adjusted?

99 3rd gen, V6, automatic

Hit a pot hole, steering got looser and looser over 5 weeks of driving.

Got laidoff in April and not working or it would just be dropped off to be fixed. I need to ask if anyone knows this steering setup, Rack/Pinion, is there a way to tighten. Does the symptom indicate anything that is fixable.

It was well cared for, drive and let go of the wheel and it would run straight. If anyone has expertise in the steering used by 3Gen Toyotas please chime in?

thank you

 

If my steering was loose. I would jack up the front wheel and "kick" "wiggle" the wheel. See if its just the side you hit the pot hole with?

 

Thats an excellent idea. i dont have any jack anymore. from a full shop of tools, compressors, etc years ago to a small box of a few wrenches. I need to get it to the bigger city that has a shop I like, 45 miles away. have to park it somewhere and take it in early for any kind of check. Some items Ive worked on and just dont know what that steering box is on the inside, I looked underneath, everything looks tight, grab the steering bar and pull hard w/tires on the ground its solid

 

Any experts out there rebuild these rack/pinion units off of the 4Runner? what does the symptom suggest to you

 

Excessive play in steering:
Loose wheel bearings
Excessive wear in suspension bushings
Steering gear mounting bolts loose
Worn steering linkage

 

Rock Auto has the rack &pinion for under $400.00, remanned or rebuilt. You would be hard pressed to find someone to rebuild your own for that price. Hope it works out for you.

 

Rock Auto is great, thanks for that; I said it wrong, I wonder for anyone who fixes them and knows what fails, if you heard that its loose now what would it be, because I have to make a decision on weather to drive it this way for 2500 miles across the country, if possible; or that its the part xyz and it cannot be driven. if not for losing my job Id replace it, or would enjoy r/r myself if i wasnt messed up. 400, i was getting quotes for 889 others 900, so hearing 400 is helpful.

 

yes, it happened 3 weeks after hitting a pot hole about 2 feet wide, at least 1 foot deep going 45mph. I swerved back/forth, had a headache from the impact. thought the tire wouldve blown off but it didnt. after a week it was just 'odd' not sure, then when turning it took more to turn the wheel, and now its where you turn the wheel 45 degrees and it takes that much for it to start moving the steering. before it was 1:1 move the wheel and tires moved, tight as it should be.

if I hadnt lost my job thanks to the new improved economy, likely the shop wouldve finished by now. but have to drive cross country and need to make a choice, risk it or if i knew what is making it loose, i guess its time to use credit to fix but dont want to