Can't tighten/loosen nut on steering box?

[TheManOutside]

Hello, i have a 1985 4runner, 22re 5-speed solid front axle bla bla bla. Anyway, the steering on the thing is disgustingly sketchy, really sloppy. I have replaced the steering stabilizer (kinda helped not really) and the tie rod ends (did't do anything as far as I can tell). the next thing that came to mind is the steering box.

I tried to tighten the bolt/screw thing, but it seems like the nut is stuck to the bolt. I can't get the bolt to turn no matter what i do, i've tried WD-40, a drill, everything.

Is my steering box just toast? what should I do? Thanks!

 

[KidVermicious]

What bolt/screw thing? Are you talking about the freeplay adjustment, or the nut on the pitman arm, or what?

Before you throw any more money at the truck, find the trouble. Have someone rock the steering wheel back and forth while you look for slop. If I remember right you have stock steering? My money is on the drag link between the steering box and the J arm, that link has a ball and socket design on each end with adjusters. If they're even the slightest bit loose, you'll get steering play. The end links are rebuildable, the kit is cheap on Amazon or Rockauto. But don't do anything until you know what's causing your trouble.

 

[goatfarmer]

Not an authority, had similar issue with 90 T4r 4x4; if you have not already done so, as KidVermicious mentioned, best to try and find the cause before hand if possible. In my case; blocked rear tires, lifted front end and check for play; side/side and up/down, problem became obvious, in my case, narrowed the problem down to 'idler arm', 'ball joints', and wheel bearing. Received a quote from shop along with itemized part list but decided on a 'do it myself'. Have average mechanical skills, and found the task somewhat labor intensive but not that difficult, no. Anyhow, food for thought?

 

[TheManOutside]

What bolt/screw thing? Are you talking about the freeplay adjustment, or the nut on the pitman arm, or what?

Before you throw any more money at the truck, find the trouble. Have someone rock the steering wheel back and forth while you look for slop. If I remember right you have stock steering? My money is on the drag link between the steering box and the J arm, that link has a ball and socket design on each end with adjusters. If they're even the slightest bit loose, you'll get steering play. The end links are rebuildable, the kit is cheap on Amazon or Rockauto. But don't do anything until you know what's causing your trouble.

View attachment 214440

Sorry for being so unclear, i wrote my post at like 3 am Yes, i mean the freeplay adjustment, i can't seem to turn it no matter what I do. and yes, i have stock steering.

so, i lifted the front of the truck just now and had someone turn the wheel. as far as i could tell, there is not any unusual movement/play whatsoever. this is why i think it has to maybe do with some internals in the steering box, but i have no idea

 

[KidVermicious]

Sorry for being so unclear, i wrote my post at like 3 am Yes, i mean the freeplay adjustment, i can't seem to turn it no matter what I do. and yes, i have stock steering.

so, i lifted the front of the truck just now and had someone turn the wheel. as far as i could tell, there is not any unusual movement/play whatsoever. this is why i think it has to maybe do with some internals in the steering box, but i have no idea

So if your slop is in the steering box, then you'll see the steering shaft move and the pitman arm won't when your helper turns the wheel. If it's in the drag link then you'll see the pitman move but not the J arm. It could also be in the tie rod ends, or the rag joint on the steering shaft. It might help if you leave the truck on the ground, the resistance from the tires on concrete will make it easier to see the trouble.

If the trouble does turn out to be the steering box itself and you can't budge the freeplay adjuster, you may have to take it off and take it apart on the bench. You could just replace it, but what kind of fun is that?

When's the last time you had an alignment? Is it possible that your steering is tight but your toe adjustment is hosed?

 

[TheManOutside]

So if your slop is in the steering box, then you'll see the steering shaft move and the pitman arm won't when your helper turns the wheel. If it's in the drag link then you'll see the pitman move but not the J arm. It could also be in the tie rod ends, or the rag joint on the steering shaft. It might help if you leave the truck on the ground, the resistance from the tires on concrete will make it easier to see the trouble.

If the trouble does turn out to be the steering box itself and you can't budge the freeplay adjuster, you may have to take it off and take it apart on the bench. You could just replace it, but what kind of fun is that?

When's the last time you had an alignment? Is it possible that your steering is tight but your toe adjustment is hosed?

Ok, I'll try and do the test with the tires on the ground when i get the chance.

the last time i got an alignment was MAYBE 2-3 months ago? i don't remember, but what i do know is that they did not do a very good job (i have an aftermarket steering wheel, and instead of adjusting the tie rod to center it they just unbolted it, turned it, and bolted up again so it looked straight.) now that i think about it, i also have been having weird camber stuff going on... and really uneven tire wear in the front. I'll try and take it in to get aligned, can't believe i didn't think of that smh

 

[85straight]

Same problem here when I first got my truck, rebuilt the drag link made a huge difference. Got a good deal on a new steering box so I threw that in, a little better. Still a little slop but night and day difference, my tre's are next up see if that does the trick

 

[Dropzone]

after driving a SA truck for 8 years you come to realize that they aren't all that great at steering, the best cure for my SA was converting to High steer.
Worn TRE, Blown Trunnion bearings, Wheel Bearings, worn spring bushings etc can all contribute to crappy steering- even worn rag joints in the column will affect it

if you still have the track bar mounted check those bushings too

 

[TheManOutside]

after driving a SA truck for 8 years you come to realize that they aren't all that great at steering, the best cure for my SA was converting to High steer.
Worn TRE, Blown Trunnion bearings, Wheel Bearings, worn spring bushings etc can all contribute to crappy steering- even worn rag joints in the column will affect it

if you still have the track bar mounted check those bushings too

The adjusting screw in the image you showed is what's stuck for me. I can loosen the nut, but the screw seems to be bound to it (if that makes sense). maybe it's because i didn't life the front end off the ground...?

 

[KidVermicious]

i also have been having weird camber stuff going on... and really uneven tire wear in the front.

That's probably your toe. Hope it's your toe, because camber and caster aren't easily adjustable on these axles. An alignment sounds like a good idea before you go digging further, you can do it in your driveway with a measuring tape if you want.

I forgot about the trunion bearings until DZ mentioned them, have you checked them for play? Lift a wheel and put a hand on the top and the bottom and see if you can feel slop. Bad trunion bearings will definitely screw with your alignment and steering.

 

[TheManOutside]

That's probably your toe. Hope it's your toe, because camber and caster aren't easily adjustable on these axles. An alignment sounds like a good idea before you go digging further, you can do it in your driveway with a measuring tape if you want.

I forgot about the trunion bearings until DZ mentioned them, have you checked them for play? Lift a wheel and put a hand on the top and the bottom and see if you can feel slop. Bad trunion bearings will definitely screw with your alignment and steering.

for some reason i have never been able to figure out these drive way alignments, is there a good write up or something you could recommend? thanks!

i won't be able to test this for probably a couple days, but you mean basically just jiggle the tire once off the ground, right? i've done this before and noticed an extremely small amount of play, but i'll try it again soon

 

[nevada]

Ok, I'll try and do the test with the tires on the ground when i get the chance.

the last time i got an alignment was MAYBE 2-3 months ago? i don't remember, but what i do know is that they did not do a very good job (i have an aftermarket steering wheel, and instead of adjusting the tie rod to center it they just unbolted it, turned it, and bolted up again so it looked straight.) now that i think about it, i also have been having weird camber stuff going on... and really uneven tire wear in the front. I'll try and take it in to get aligned, can't believe i didn't think of that smh

there is no way to adjust/center the steering wheel on that type of steering system. if the wheel was off, it had been installed wrong. adjusting the tie rod will only change the toe setting, nothing else.

if it were me, I would just replace the gear box, or better yet, step up to crossover/high steer.
that adjustment on the top of the box isn't really meant to take up slop. if the box is sloppy, its worn out and should be replaced.

 

[KidVermicious]

for some reason i have never been able to figure out these drive way alignments, is there a good write up or something you could recommend? thanks!

i won't be able to test this for probably a couple days, but you mean basically just jiggle the tire once off the ground, right? i've done this before and noticed an extremely small amount of play, but i'll try it again soon

Youtube is full of videos on driveway alignments. I don't know if any of them are any good, I just strap a pair of 2x4s to the wheels and eyeball it good enough to get it down to my buddies' shop.

Any up and down play at all points to bad trunion preload or bad bearings. Side to side play would make me want to have another look at those tie rod ends.

 

[TheManOutside]

ok, so something weird is goin on. I havn't done anything to the truck since my last posts because I'm very lazy, but anyway, I went to work this morning, truck ran/drove like usual, but then after work, there's a weird buzzing/homing kind of noise, and there is a loud rubbing sounding noise coming from a little down behind the steering wheel (whenever I turn the wheel at low speeds).

what could possibly be going on?? the truck still drives the same for the most part, maybe with a little more play at low speeds. the humming noise also changes pitch with the engines revs, so I think it might have to do with the power steering belt? idk pretty random and weird. anyone think that they might know what's up? thanks!