2005 4Runner Stiff Steering

[AuSeeker]

Thanks. I gathered that from the replies. I'm just at a loss on what else it could be. I have tried WD40 on the u-joint and did not get an improvement.

Knowing that I replaced the lower control arms with LBJs, rack, and power steering pump, and wd40 is not working on the u-joint, where else would you recommend looking?

Do you think that the upper ball joint could cause resistance?

And know that I did not replace all the parts in a blind effort to resolve the stiff steering.

OK since you have tried spraying the u-joint it seems the shaft is OK, but for future reference WD-40 isn't a true penetrating oil, it's a water displacement formula, that what's the WD stands for, the 40 is the 40th formula before they perfected it, but it should of made somewhat of a difference if the shaft was seizing up.

That being said it could be the upper ball joints, I really don't know if your's have a grease fitting on them but if they do, greasing them should make a improvement, if no fitting replacing them is the only way to know.

Another possibility is they didn't get all the air out of the system with they replaced the rack and power steering pump, other than that hard to say what is causing the issue, I would pursue this before the ball joints.