Steering Column U-Joint

[wutagoalie]

So I am located in Toronto , Ontario. Just called my local Toyota Dealer and they want $415.00 + 13% tax = 468.95

checked an online parts store Discount OEM Toyota Parts and Accessories - ToyotaPartsDirect.com , Total price after shipping and tax = $357.00

Called a local custom steering repair shop. He told me he reworks these shafts on various vehicles 3-5 per week, so he is very familiar with this seized U-joint issue. He wants $175 ( If i pay cash, no tax) He said he will machine out the u joint and rebuild.

 

[SilverGs]

So I am located in Toronto , Ontario. Just called my local Toyota Dealer and they want $415.00 + 13% tax = 468.95

checked an online parts store Discount OEM Toyota Parts and Accessories - ToyotaPartsDirect.com , Total price after shipping and tax = $357.00

Called a local custom steering repair shop. He told me he reworks these shafts on various vehicles 3-5 per week, so he is very familiar with this seized U-joint issue. He wants $175 ( If i pay cash, no tax) He said he will machine out the u joint and rebuild.

I bought it here http://www.toyotaonlineparts.com/oe-toyota/452033531

Came to US$175 including shipping. Good luck with yours!

How long does this guy need to make you the part?

 

[wutagoalie]

I bought it here http://www.toyotaonlineparts.com/oe-toyota/452033531

Came to US$175 including shipping. Good luck with yours!

How long does this guy need to make you the part?

2 Hours

 

[backseatdriver]

Where's the cheapest place to get this thing? And quickest?

 

[M1911]

Where's the cheapest place to get this thing? And quickest?

Quickest would probably be your local Toyota dealer, you likely has it in stock. Not the cheapest, however....

 

[SilverGs]

I got the part I ordered a couple of days ago and dropped off my truck at my mechanic yesterday in the morning.

When I went back in at the end of the day, he showed me a section that is on top of the shaft/Ujoint I bought that was rusted to hell (see second pic below). I basically had to leave without the repair getting done as he said he has to burn off that rusted clamp. So I called a local Toyota dealer and got a new one plus the two bolts and will be heading back to the mechanic tomorrow to get this fixed. The clamp plus the two bolts was about $50.

 

[truckhigh]

I got the part I ordered a couple of days ago and dropped off my truck at my mechanic yesterday in the morning.

When I went back in at the end of the day, he showed me a section that is on top of the shaft/Ujoint I bought that was rusted to hell (see second pic below). I basically had to leave without the repair getting done as he said he has to burn off that rusted clamp. So I called a local Toyota dealer and got a new one plus the two bolts and will be heading back to the mechanic tomorrow to get this fixed. The clamp plus the two bolts was about $50.

thanks for this, now imma gonna go clean up

 

[isdriven]

I got the part I ordered a couple of days ago and dropped off my truck at my mechanic yesterday in the morning.

When I went back in at the end of the day, he showed me a section that is on top of the shaft/Ujoint I bought that was rusted to hell (see second pic below). I basically had to leave without the repair getting done as he said he has to burn off that rusted clamp. So I called a local Toyota dealer and got a new one plus the two bolts and will be heading back to the mechanic tomorrow to get this fixed. The clamp plus the two bolts was about $50.

I need that clamp and bolts too. Do you have the part #s?

 

[SilverGs]

I need that clamp and bolts too. Do you have the part #s?

No I didn't bother asking the dealer as I just described it on the phone and sent the pic above. I'm assuming the part # will be on my invoice, so I'll post it tomorrow after I've picked up the part. If its not on the invoice, I'll ask them for it specifically.

 

[isdriven]

No I didn't bother asking the dealer as I just described it on the phone and sent the pic above. I'm assuming the part # will be on my invoice, so I'll post it tomorrow after I've picked up the part. If its not on the invoice, I'll ask them for it specifically.

I found it, no worries. Thanks though!:cheers:

 

[jbtvt]

I got the part I ordered a couple of days ago and dropped off my truck at my mechanic yesterday in the morning.

When I went back in at the end of the day, he showed me a section that is on top of the shaft/Ujoint I bought that was rusted to hell (see second pic below). I basically had to leave without the repair getting done as he said he has to burn off that rusted clamp. So I called a local Toyota dealer and got a new one plus the two bolts and will be heading back to the mechanic tomorrow to get this fixed. The clamp plus the two bolts was about $50.

Mine was at least that bad and didn't need a new clamp. Only that lower bolt has to loosen, yours looks fine. Even so, the way oxy/acet cuts it's very easy to burn a frozen bolt out without hurting the metal it's bolting through, and plenty of room to work there. You guys should save your money and get a second opinion, in mine.

 

[SilverGs]

Mine was at least that bad and didn't need a new clamp. Only that lower bolt has to loosen, yours looks fine. Even so, the way oxy/acet cuts it's very easy to burn a frozen bolt out without hurting the metal it's bolting through, and plenty of room to work there. You guys should save your money and get a second opinion, in mine.

I had mine replaced already on Saturday. Steering is good as new now.

 

[subspd]

I found it, no worries. Thanks though!:cheers:

Can I get the part numbers for the clamp as well?

 

[Jetmugg]

Resurrecting an old thread - but have a question about the lower splined connection (at the rack). With mine apart, it looks like there is a "master spline" 180 degrees opposite of the split portion of the clamp. Is this truly a master spline, or can the splined connection go onto any of the splines?

Steve.

 

[jbtvt]

I don't recall there being a key so be careful with noting alignment. If you lose it read my earlier post.

 

[Jetmugg]

I don't recall there being a key so be careful with noting alignment. If you lose it read my earlier post.

Thanks for the tip..., and yes, the "string" alignment trick is a good one.

Steve.

 

[Raffyk]

Looks like I may have the same problem. Lower shaft?

2004 4R with 225K miles.

Son called and said the power steering is out. I had the fluid flushed and pump replaced. He drove over 350 miles with no issues.

Pump was replaced 10 days ago with aftermarket as a factory one was not available for 4 days and he needed to go back to college.

He is stuck in Santa Barbara and I'm 8-10 hour drive away.

Any good shops in the area or shall I have him take it to the dealer?

 

[tritorun180]

So I am located in Toronto , Ontario. Just called my local Toyota Dealer and they want $415.00 + 13% tax = 468.95

checked an online parts store Discount OEM Toyota Parts and Accessories - ToyotaPartsDirect.com , Total price after shipping and tax = $357.00

Called a local custom steering repair shop. He told me he reworks these shafts on various vehicles 3-5 per week, so he is very familiar with this seized U-joint issue. He wants $175 ( If i pay cash, no tax) He said he will machine out the u joint and rebuild.

Can you PM me the name of the shop if this went well?

 

[jbtvt]

Can you PM me the name of the shop if this went well?

You still have this option as well, should be pretty easy if you can get the shaft out in one piece

Anybody tried replacing just the u joint itself? $14 instead of $170, if only it works. I just got under the vehicle and checked out the joint, there don't appear to be and snap rings at all. It wasn't machined in one piece in the factory of course...but how would replacement be accomplished without snap rings to remove??

Amazon.com: 4520335310 - Universal Joint / U-Joint 16X40 For Toyota - Febest: Automotive

<img src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/71lRM3S4-OL._SL1407_.jpg"width="20%">

...

If anyone does replace just the ujoint you will need to keep the end caps from walking out or you could lose steering on the highway if the fall out. they are probably crimped in so will need to be reamed to get the new caps in and then re-crimped with a chisel, tack weld or something to keep them from coming out again.

 

[lightfreak]

So I've been having this same stiff steering problem for the last month or so and finally got around to replacing the u-joint shaft this evening. I also opted to replace the sliding yoke (clamp part at the top) since the original looked pretty rusted and was only $25 from the dealer. Turned out to be a wise choice.

Steering Sliding Yoke part number 45219-35160
Reference: https://www.toyotapartsdeal.com/oem/toyota~yoke~steering~sliding~45219-35160.html

Borrowed this bad boy from a mechanic friend. Made the job much easier. With the help of some liquid wrench , it took about 10 minutes to unseize both ends

Now everything came together fine but I ran into a problem I don't think anyone has mentioned. After putting everything back together and going for a test drive the VSC would intermittently activate and the ABS would rapid brake for a second or two. It was very erratic, it would do it going straight sometimes, and on turns other times without any real pattern. The steering worked fine otherwise.

My mechanic buddy has a Toyota scan tool so we hooked it up and it showed the steering angle sensor at over 1000 degrees positive! LOL
I figured the Yaw Rate and Acceleration Sensor needed a reset so I parked it on a flat surface, did a Zero Point Calibration and went for a drive. Everything good and back to normal!

I'm not sure what caused this but I did have the key in the "ON" position the entire time during the replacement. Can't think of anything else.


Just thought I'd throw this out there in case anyone runs into the same problem. The last thing I felt like doing was taking the shaft back off to investigate.

By the way, I've attached the service manual for the steering system in case anyone needs it.