Greasing steering intermediate shaft U joints

[jumpman86]

Hi All,

Write up on greasing the Steering Intermediate Shaft needed:
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My 2005 4runner had some steering issues (really hard to turn) and the dealer replaced the Steering gear / rack.

It went back to normal for 2 days and the symptoms are coming back.

I researched that folks that had similar issues replaced the U joints on the Intermediate steering shaft and that solved the problem.

I asked the dealer about this and they claims that they did not find anything wrong with it during inspection.

I was wondering if anyone knows if there is a write up with pictures on how to grease the joints.

I tried searching but was not able to locate what I need.

I hope this will help with the issue.

Thanks in advance.

 

[fdbyrne]

The u-joints there aren't greasable like the ones on your driveshaft. If you pull back the rear part of the wheel well liner on the driver side you can see it clearly. Spray it down with lube, cover it in grease, etc. If it needs to be replaced there is a Youtube video by 'Eric the Car Guy' where he does it on a 2004 4Runner.

 

[jumpman86]

Thanks!

Are there only 1 joint or 2 joints that need to be greased.

I thought there was another joint on top of the shaft.

Thanks again.

The u-joints there aren't greasable like the ones on your driveshaft. If you pull back the rear part of the wheel well liner on the driver side you can see it clearly. Spray it down with lube, cover it in grease, etc. If it needs to be replaced there is a Youtube video by 'Eric the Car Guy' where he does it on a 2004 4Runner.

 

[Bossman]

Two threads on this steering problem subject I'd refer you to ...

This one has pictures of the u-joint (intermediate shaft)

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/96639-steering-column-u-joint.html

This one has a post of my diagnosis of the problem

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/153652-2005-4runner-stiff-steering.html

Eric the Car Guy - YouTube Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqPF_SNueyg

Intermediate Shaft! Damn U-Joint!!

 

[Gatafly]

Had the same problem and sprayed the u joint with Seafoam's Deep Creep. That solved it for 2 weeks. Sprayed again (money was tight) and again it lasted a couple weeks. By the third time it never came back. I ordered a new ISS expecting to replace it, but 7 months have gone by since I last sprayed it and it is still working great. Guess I have the part on hand for when it actually does need replacement.

 

[inscarguy]

they can be greased. go to a good auto parts store and get a needle fitting adapter for a grease gun. Lincoln brand makes a good one. be careful as they can bend easily. I go one years ago when I was a mechanic and when Fords had the bad creaking noise from the non greaseable joints. it worked great. just push the needle into the rubber on the joint or any open(ish) area and squeeze. try to aim to the center this way all the areas get grease.

works awesome on the non greaseable suspension components too. every once and awhile I put some in the 4runner suspension and you can feel a difference.

last time I looked it was $4-5.00.