Steering rack toast?
- Thread starter Presta24
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DanielMaat89
New member
I had the same problem. I flushed the power steering system with several quarts of fresh fluid. The old fluid was black and smelt burnt, but in my case, replacing it with new, fresh ps fluid fixed it.
Atlanta_man
New member
When I flushed mine, it took quite a bit of back and forth with the steering wheel and adding small amounts of fluid to get things working again. I did it while driving in a parking lot.
Best to jack up the front tires off the ground then do the flush and fiddle.
Best to jack up the front tires off the ground then do the flush and fiddle.
jfry008
New member
Yea, look into the driver's side front wheel well, soak the steering shaft u-joint with white lithium grease/penetrating oil. See if that helps.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/96639-steering-column-u-joint.html
lightfreak
New member
Grease is only a bandaid solution if the ujoint is seized and corroded.
On mine no amount of grease really helped, steering got heavy again after a couple days.
The OEM shaft is expensive but should last the rest of the vehicle's life, one less thing to worry about.
On mine no amount of grease really helped, steering got heavy again after a couple days.
The OEM shaft is expensive but should last the rest of the vehicle's life, one less thing to worry about.
Bossman
Senior Member
As [MENTION=76420]lightfreak[/MENTION] just posted, the lubrication of the joint is only for diagnostic purposes and not an ideal long-term fix. If you have major corrosion in that joint, you'll want to replace.
This intermediate steering shaft is only available from Toyota dealers, so expect to pay a little more for it than you would with an aftermarket part.
jfry008
New member
Agreed. A good first step for diagnosis for a worn out steering shaft u-joint (known problem) is to lubricate it and see if the symptoms elevate. Then the OP will know the problem and can make the decision to replace the part if he chooses. IMO logical mechanical aptitude
Being an 2003, it's probably time to replace. Hence the link to replace it...
Are you saying that your power steering fluid is clear? If so, that's bad. Our PS system uses transmission fluid in the power steering.
another steering rack evalulation
didnt want to start a new thread so i hope some experienced guys or gals take a look here.
problem: some steering play, click coming from the steering column. 20-30 mph bumps cause the wheel to jump.
checked wheel bearings, tie rod ends, stabilizer bar links, replaced front shocks (helped but didnt fix it), steering column shaft bolt near near the fire wall was super tight, removed slack from intermediate shaft coupler (no change).
I have isolated the noise (faint click when turning the wheel from on direction to the other) as the "steering sensor" or clock spring reel cable. has anyone seen this be noisy?
this is the part
Toyota 4Runner 03-05 Steering Sensor Clock Spring Reel Cable Wire, 89245-34010 | eBay
video with amount of steering wheel play
https://youtu.be/pWA0LfTFztc
i have isolated the play in the steering to the rack and pinion assembly. specifically the play between the meeting of the intermediate shaft and the rack and pinion.
video with the amount of play
https://youtu.be/fg7LiwVbHBk
my main question is if this amount of play is acceptable or not? i dont think the amount of play in the steering is dangerous while driving. its just super annoying.
any other small amount of vibration i believe will be fixed through a balance of the tires and an alignment check.
didnt want to start a new thread so i hope some experienced guys or gals take a look here.
problem: some steering play, click coming from the steering column. 20-30 mph bumps cause the wheel to jump.
checked wheel bearings, tie rod ends, stabilizer bar links, replaced front shocks (helped but didnt fix it), steering column shaft bolt near near the fire wall was super tight, removed slack from intermediate shaft coupler (no change).
I have isolated the noise (faint click when turning the wheel from on direction to the other) as the "steering sensor" or clock spring reel cable. has anyone seen this be noisy?
this is the part
Toyota 4Runner 03-05 Steering Sensor Clock Spring Reel Cable Wire, 89245-34010 | eBay
video with amount of steering wheel play
https://youtu.be/pWA0LfTFztc
i have isolated the play in the steering to the rack and pinion assembly. specifically the play between the meeting of the intermediate shaft and the rack and pinion.
video with the amount of play
https://youtu.be/fg7LiwVbHBk
my main question is if this amount of play is acceptable or not? i dont think the amount of play in the steering is dangerous while driving. its just super annoying.
any other small amount of vibration i believe will be fixed through a balance of the tires and an alignment check.
Hey johntucc, were you able to figure out what was the cause of the issue? I have exactly the same issue.
