Hi All - been an owner of a 1997 FZJ80 for about 3 years and finally getting on the forum. Cruiser has around 175k miles on it and has been running solid. Recently, towards the end of the cold winter here, the steering started getting really tight and it's groaning when it happens, which is pretty consistent now.
I brought it in to my local Toyota dealership to have them take a look at it. Their analysis floored me, saying that the gear assembly needed to be replaced and there's likely metal from failing steering gear or pump, recommended replacing the pitman arm, etc. More than $6k in parts! I've attached a list of what they recommended.
Honestly, I'm not really sure what to think. I've got another local (smaller) shop that I'm hoping to take it to later this week. Any thoughts for a cruiser novice who doesn't really have any mechanical experience? Is this type of issue typical with a cruiser of this age?
Any advice would be appreciated!
Andy
I brought it in to my local Toyota dealership to have them take a look at it. Their analysis floored me, saying that the gear assembly needed to be replaced and there's likely metal from failing steering gear or pump, recommended replacing the pitman arm, etc. More than $6k in parts! I've attached a list of what they recommended.
Honestly, I'm not really sure what to think. I've got another local (smaller) shop that I'm hoping to take it to later this week. Any thoughts for a cruiser novice who doesn't really have any mechanical experience? Is this type of issue typical with a cruiser of this age?
Any advice would be appreciated!
Andy