Daily Driver and loosey-goosey steering...

[crowbarforge]

Not sure how to search for this topic, hence the post.

My one and only FJ40 is a '79 and it's my daily drive to work vehicle. Major rust holes were repaired over the winter months, now it is time to look at the mechanics a bit. The Greenish Beast is (as far as I can tell) pretty much stock in the suspension and drivetrain.

I do not have the time or money to do a power steering conversion. At least I think not.

All or the tie-rod ends have been replaced and teh wheel bearings seem fine. No harsh vibrations, shakes, shimmies or anything like that... but above 45 MPH the steering gets pretty looooooose. I have a Top Drag Link and Center Arm rebuild kit ready to be installed, what else should I look into? I am running 31x1050 tires.

Ol' Greenish Beast is listed for sale untl the end of this month. If no takers it's back to being a daily driver for another year.

I'd love to get the truck up state to the in-laws for some trail riding, but the sloppy steering drive would wear me out...

 

[Snowdogyyz]

Have you checked your caster angle?

 

[allan man]

Steering box.....but from what ive heard you will never get rid of the slop on the oem design

 

[Curtice]

I had very similar issues. I replaced the TRE's and installed the drag link and center arm bracket rebuild kits. Made a world of difference. Steering is much tighter now. There is still a small amount of slop, but that seems to be in the steering box, like allan man said.

I would install your rebuild kits and see where you stand, I bet it will make a big difference.

 

[Pearly]

On the steering box - where you streering shaft joins the box, you will see a round flange with 4 bolts. Finger and thumb on there and turn back and forth. If the slop is present, you can tighten up the box a bit. On the side, you will see a square plate with a bolt at each corner. In the centre is a larger nut. Loosen the large nut 1/4 turn. Take a flat blade screwdriver and tighten the screw in the centre, just a little. Try and rotate the flange and see if there is any improvement. Don't force that screw, just tighten lightly. If you are ambidextrous, rotate the flange while tightening the screw. If this solves your slop, re-tighten the nut and re-test.

Mine had 1/4 turn of slop on the steering wheel, but now it is OK!

 

[crowbarforge]

Great help, thanks friends. I'll try the steering box tighten this weekend. Have the Top Drag Link and Center Arm rebuild installs scheduled for month end. I love this place.

 

[kanudude]

My 78 drove like crap and was a bit scary when I first got it! Then I replaced everything, had the steering box rebuilt, fixed my caster angle, and now it drives like a champ. I can go 70mph with no issues, except for the price of gas!

 

[Fast Eddy]

from what ive heard you will never get rid of the slop on the oem design

That's crap. My '78 steers like new.

In addition to the center arm rebuild, replace the leaf spring bushings and the rag joint. Go easy on the steering arm adjustment. Read the FSM. It's not really meant to "tighten up the steering", but it can help if you don't overtighten.

 

[cjgoode]

All my steering linkage is from a 71 and it has no slop, PO of the parts had tightened it up as noted above. Wear on the parts can cause slop, extra parts do to the design, but can easily be slop free, just post or search here as you did and read all the advice.

 

[msapers]

Don't listen to anyone telling you that the slop is normal and they're all like that. It's nonsense. These trucks didn't leave the factory with sloppy steering. If your box is worn out, Mark's Off Road rebuilds them. I have one of his rebuilt boxes on my 72 as well as the rebuild items you've mentioned and there is ZERO slop in my steering.

Good luck!

 

[GuyWithFJ40]

Did anyone say RAG JOINT? I tightened up my steering box and got a little better, but replacing the rag joint was like a new vehicle. At least new to me, still have some slop, but not like sitcom driving anymore.

 

[FJsnoozer]

where did you purchase your new rag joint?