Center Arm teardown on my 78 FJ40.

[Gusb]

I’m pulling my center arm housing apart in an attempt at a systematic approach to tighten up the steering and eliminate wandering. The PO had at some point messed with a rebuild of sorts. Had a new lock bolt on the rusty top plate, new looking grease nipple and the housing was all banged up in the lower seal area from someone trying to pry the arm off I guess. Also the 2 mounting bolts with loose nuts had the nuts assembled on the outside of the frame, the bolt heads were inside the frame? Never saw much play/movement when turning the steering wheel but adjusting it (big top plate nut/lock bolt) never felt right.

When I pulled it apart I found a broken-off copper-color piece (old bushings?) in the tab area (housing/cavity) – looks like it was left from the rebuild - just hidden in the grease. Someone may have pulled the old worn bushing and slapped a new one in without cleaning anything. I can’t really tell if was affecting the adjustment. Parts don’t seem too worn. I’ve cleaned everything, stripped/painted the housing, scraped some rust off the top nut/lid, and tried to clean up the banged-up housing seal area. I only found one seal, but the parts diagram shows 2 (which I ordered)? Any comments on the wear shown in the photos would be appreciated.

I’m also wondering if the tab on the bushing should be drifted into the housing cavity on assembly (to keep the bushing from rotating)? The tab already has a slight off-center bend to it. Thanks

 

[Gusb]

One seal or two?

 

[Poser]

I’m also wondering if the tab on the bushing should be drifted into the housing cavity on assembly (to keep the bushing from rotating)?

Yes....

 

[Poser]

One seal or two?

I believe at one time, Toyota had a felt washer that was used along with the lip seal. I have installed these kits and not used it in the past, as it was not in the kit, and things have worked out just fine.




Install the lip seal and call it good.

 

[Fast Eddy]

Leaf spring bushings and the rag joint made a huge difference when I was working on mine...

 

[Gusb]

Leaf spring bushings and the rag joint made a huge difference when I was working on mine...

Cleaned and tightened the drag link before. Replaced the rag joint. Wandering got a little better. After the center arm I'm checking/replacing the tie rod ends and shot boots. Next I'll try to figure out the spring/bushing thing.