First gen Tacoma stiff steering easy fix

[@jamespolucha8790]

Nice to see a fix and not just replacing a part

[@gregorderas5296]

mine was binding pretty bad. i took the cover off from the firewall from inside the cab and sprayed the ujoint down with some clp gun oil/cleaner and its smooth as butter now. mechanic wanted 1200 to replace rack and pinion and power steering pump =o

[@lamarzimmermanmennonitefar5269]

That's awesome!

[@strawboss59]

The steering on my first gen Tacoma is stiff, has been for years. I think the 4x4 trucks with tilt steering wheels use these fancy Ujoints. I'm pulling the steering column apart tomorrow to free up this joint and regrease it. Thanks for the insight....

[@lamarzimmermanmennonitefar5269]

Have fun Please! Please let me know if it works.

[@strawboss59]

@@lamarzimmermanmennonitefar5269 I pulled the steering column and managed to disassemble the U-joint without pulling the lower steering shaft in the engine compartment. I'll see if I can get it back together after supper.....

[@strawboss59]

@@lamarzimmermanmennonitefar5269 Took it out for a test drive,some improvement but not 100%, I guess I'll rebuild the rack if an alignment won't do it, new pump was done already....

[@lamarzimmermanmennonitefar5269]

You can get the seal kit from Gates. Just make sure you keep track which way the 4 big shaft seals are turned. I got mine wrong and it puked oil everywhere on the 1st start. You can cover the rack teeth with tape and [gallon jug plastic] I think. Other than that it's pretty self-explanatory

[@lamarzimmermanmennonitefar5269]

Check your ball joint over and make sure they are OK. Mine from Detroit Axle got tight after 2 years. I got and OEM set to install as soon as I can get to it

[@lamarzimmermanmennonitefar5269]

My clockspring is ok. Whew!

[@adventuresofbnk2346]

YESSSSS THANK YOU!!

[@Czotie]

I just cracked my universal joint open and sprayed with some greasless lub, then dumped some auto grease in and buttoned it back up and my steering is really clean now. I am worried that the "nipple" may not have re-engaged with the center spinning plastic bearing piece. I'm trying to devise the best way to get this piece out. I think I'll have to remove it from the steering rack and pion on the bottom shaft and work the firewall cover out and then sperate them.

[@lamarzimmermanmennonitefar5269]

Sounds good. That spinning disc keep the knuckle from kinking up I think. You could die if the knuckle locked up.😱

[@Czotie]

@@lamarzimmermanmennonitefar5269 yeah I'm pretty sure it all went back together correctly but I didn't have much clearance to check. It feels really smooth side to side. I'm going to try again later and drive slow on the downhills 🤞

[@lamarzimmermanmennonitefar5269]

K, man good luck!

[@Czotie]

@@lamarzimmermanmennonitefar5269 Made it home. I'm letting some pentrating oil sit on the 12mm pin above rag joint tonight, hoping to get the shaft to move up so I can pull this all apart and see it more clearly tomorrow and make sure those "nipples" are set in that hole. Did you have success after repacking it?

[@lamarzimmermanmennonitefar5269]

Yes, I was surprised that No one talks about the disc portion. Glad your safe!

[@Bert19631]

Thanks!

[@lamarzimmermanmennonitefar5269]

No problem!

[@managerofkisses6103]

Good info thank you!!!