Help me figure out a steering problem

[lugueto]

Hello, This is a problem that has been affecting my brother's 90 series Land Cruiser, which uses the exact same chassis as the 3rd gen, and we need to figure it out to get the car driving safely again.

Every once every few days, the steering goes into "premature lock". This means that the steering wheel stops turning before the steering goes into full lock. He has to wiggle it a little and cycle it and then it frees up and doesnt do it for a few days. I have absolutely no clue as to what this is.

Any ideas?? What should we check?? Is this a normal failure??

Cheers,

Luis

 

[JRZEE2000TR4LTD]

Hello, This is a problem that has been affecting my brother's 90 series Land Cruiser, which uses the exact same chassis as the 3rd gen, and we need to figure it out to get the car driving safely again.

Every once every few days, the steering goes into "premature lock". This means that the steering wheel stops turning before the steering goes into full lock. He has to wiggle it a little and cycle it and then it frees up and doesnt do it for a few days. I have absolutely no clue as to what this is.

Any ideas?? What should we check?? Is this a normal failure??

Cheers,

Luis

Ball Joints? When you say "premature Lock" the steering is binding up not allowing it to go to the steering stops? Does it do it in both directions?

 

[nevada]

have you checked the steering linkage?
it sound like the adjusting sleeve or cinch bolt is hitting something.

I have seen this happen many times.

 

[techno]

I would consider looking at the ignition steering lock. Could that be malfunctioning somehow and locking when it shouldn't?

 

[badattitude]

Attaching a picture of the steering system that may help.

 

[lugueto]

It has happened in either direction, but the behavior is completely erratic.

I dont think the ignition safety lock-up has anything to do about it, as that locks up fine when the key is removed.

I will check the steering linkages.

When you say ball joints, do you mean upper, lower or both?

The truck has around 50000miles so she hasnt been heavily used so wear going on in places that only wear out on high mileage vehicles can be considered "low priority"

Thanks for your reply!

 

[Singtoe]

Sounds like a bad rack.