sunapeelakers
New member
Anyone replace their lower intermediate steering shaft? Can’t find anything on doing it for the 4R...
Intermediate steering shaft
- Thread starter sunapeelakers
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85GT-79FJ40
New member
I did it on an 05 Tacoma I had a few years back. Didn't take long but of course I had the truck on a lift. I dropped the old one and it broke in half so yeah definitely something you don't want to wait on if you know it's bad.
Xtremluck
New member
1. Lots of PB blaster on both ends of the shaft (Soak overnight)
2. Center steering wheel and secure it with rope
3. Remove the two bolts pictured in the attached diagram
4. Remove the bolt that holds the steering column to the int steering rack (Inside the cabin of the truck)
4. Use a pry bar and hammer to knock the shaft from the steering rack
4. Once the shaft is off the rack you can remove it from the other portion of the shaft assembly. It will slide right out
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Wolfman’s Brother
New member
What prompts this job?
Does this mitigate the notorious steering wheel shake?
Does this mitigate the notorious steering wheel shake?
Xtremluck
New member
Im replacing a leaking steering rack but some have replaced the int. steering shaft when they get binding in the steering. There is an exposed U joint that wears out eventually.
sunapeelakers
New member
Thanks gents, got it done yesterday, not too bad of a job at all - would have been easier with an impact hammer/chisel but beating the shit out of it with a hammer and pry bar worked ok. Also sucked doing it on the ground in the driveway, but only about an hour overall.
Steering wheel was off after I was done, so I went and got an alignment before they closed.
I got the shaft on Amazon for $60 shipped, thought it was too good to be true based on how proud Toyota is of it and that seeming to be the only option... turns out it worked perfect.
I had stiff spots in the steering from lock to lock that started intermittently about 6 weeks go, and just progressively got worse until I think the u-joint just completely seized. I got under it the other day and could see that the joint was rusted right out and the seals were toast. Tried spraying it with some grease and it didn’t help at all.
New shaft fixed it 100%, and while I was at it I changed out the serpentine belt which was also kind of a ***** without a long tensioner tool but didn’t take too long.
To note, I never had any noise, no leaks, and PS fluid is still a nice red color. Everyone I talked to was ready to will my 4R to the grave by saying the rack was bad, but it’s not at all ��.
Steering wheel was off after I was done, so I went and got an alignment before they closed.
I got the shaft on Amazon for $60 shipped, thought it was too good to be true based on how proud Toyota is of it and that seeming to be the only option... turns out it worked perfect.
I had stiff spots in the steering from lock to lock that started intermittently about 6 weeks go, and just progressively got worse until I think the u-joint just completely seized. I got under it the other day and could see that the joint was rusted right out and the seals were toast. Tried spraying it with some grease and it didn’t help at all.
New shaft fixed it 100%, and while I was at it I changed out the serpentine belt which was also kind of a ***** without a long tensioner tool but didn’t take too long.
To note, I never had any noise, no leaks, and PS fluid is still a nice red color. Everyone I talked to was ready to will my 4R to the grave by saying the rack was bad, but it’s not at all ��.
Xtremluck
New member
Glad it worked out for you. I would still keep an eye out though our racks are notoriously weak if you hit rocks and dirt a decent amount.
Wolfman’s Brother;3471058 said:
I'm curious, too. When the shaft goes bad does the steering only bind in certain places and feel "notchy", or can it also cause stiff steering from lock to lock?
Edit: Apologies for resurrecting an old thread. I would create a new thread but don't have enough posts yet.
This symptom is happening to me on my 2014. Yes, it is a notchy or "lumpy" feeling through lock to lock. It also won't return to center. It feels as if the power steering turns off every 15 degrees then turns back on.
This often gets misdiagnosed and blamed on the R&P or PS pump. Of course you should double check your fluid level and condition, check for worn ball joints and rod ends, and any leaks in the system,
I quickly found the problem with front end of the ground, engine off, and turning the steering wheel. It felt exactly the same as with the engine on. I sprayed WD-40/liquid wrench onto the u-joint on the steering shaft and tried turning again. It was definitely easier. I sprayed it more and got it to feeling back to normal, even with the wheels on the ground.
However, I suspect it will return because it is badly rusted from spending the first 6 years of its life in snowy Vermont. I'm not looking forward breaking this free off the splines. Eric the Car Guy on YouTube has good video showing how to replace it on a 4th gen and shows what the stiff u-joint looks like.
Hope this helps, albeit a very late reply.