Failing steering box? (1 Viewer)

[Dirty Toad]

I have an '87 that has this funky steering issue. When I am turning the wheel there is a dead spot in the turn It feels like the front end has been lifted off the ground for a moment and the wheel is super easy to turn, but both the and I have noticed that when that happens the tires don't turn.

Do you think that I need to have the steering box rebuilt? It is original and has never been rebuilt. vehicle has over 234,000 miles on it now.

I know that I need to replace the tierod ends, but it would seem odd to me that a failing tierod would create such a symptom.

What says you?

 

[lehiguy]

You better have a good hard look at your steering gear and find out where the play is. Chances are you need to adjust the drag link ends and the tighten the steering box. The boxes are tough as nails and may leak, but usually don't fail unless they have been monkeyed with or rebuilt incorrectly.

 

[Dirty Toad]

You better have a good hard look at your steering gear and find out where the play is. Chances are you need to adjust the drag link ends and the tighten the steering box. The boxes are tough as nails and may leak, but usually don't fail unless they have been monkeyed with or rebuilt incorrectly.

To the best of my knowledge it has never been worked on aside from me adjusting it to tighten the steering over a year ago. I did have to turn the adjustment point all the way in. I was advised by a friend at that point that someday soon I would need to rebuild. Thus I am wondering if this is the symptom that tells me to do that?

Thanks for your advise on the drag links ends though

 

[Cody Canada]

Grab the tie rod and drag link and push/pull them to see if you have play there.

 

[Cruiserdrew]

Your symptom is weird and does not sound like a bad steering box. Even if you lost all the the boost, turning the wheel, should still turn the wheels. Look at the drag link ends carefully, and make sure you don't have a broken spring center pin. I only say that because Rusty TLC was complaining about exactly this steering behavior and later we found that the pin was broken and his u-bolts were finger tight. I would not drive until you find the problem.

 

[Dirty Toad]

Your symptom is weird and does not sound like a bad steering box. Even if you lost all the the boost, turning the wheel, should still turn the wheels. Look at the drag link ends carefully, and make sure you don't have a broken spring center pin. I only say that because Rusty TLC was complaining about exactly this steering behavior and later we found that the pin was broken and his u-bolts were finger tight. I would not drive until you find the problem.

Thank you for that info. I will check that asap. No one in my family is driving it until I know what it is. I am paranoid like that. Better safe than sorry when it comes to my cars.

 

[Dirty Toad]

OK, lets see if this works

Here is a video that I put together of what is moving in my suspension when i hear the noise. What you are looking at is the drivers side rear part of the front spring. Then you will be looking at the steering linkage and the "what I think might be odd movement" from it, and lastly is the drivers side front spring shackle in normal and slow motion.

Your input as to what the heck to do about this is welcome. Thanks in advance.


Link to the video, because I think i suck at the internets

 

[Mace]

Your steering box leak at all??

 

[Dynosoar]

Replace your TRE's and drag links and suspension bushings. You will be fine. If you have a couple of Hundred sitting around send the box off to West Texas Off Road or to Lee power steering in Sun Valley, CA (I have used and like Lee & have heard good things about WTOR) Or save a few buck and do it yourself (it's not tough) follow Mace's instructions.

Dynosoar

 

[hank14]

It's hard to tell from the video- are you seeing anything "pop" or jump when you hear the noise? I can definitely hear the noise, but don't see any abnormal movement.

Does it do this when the front end is lifted, or only while loaded?

BTW- looks to me like you're an internet pro with your fancy video post and all! I didn't even know you could do that!

 

[Dirty Toad]

Your steering box leak at all??

Yes, a little. Not as bad as the power steering line was, but i fixed that a few weeks ago. That thing was pissing out a quart every week

Replace your TRE's and drag links and suspension bushings. You will be fine. If you have a couple of Hundred sitting around send the box off to West Texas Off Road or to Lee power steering in Sun Valley, CA (I have used and like Lee & have heard good things about WTOR) Or save a few buck and do it yourself (it's not tough) follow Mace's instructions.

Dynosoar

No money sitting around that does not already have a home in someone elses pocket. But I have been saving pennies, so maybe that is what I will use that for. I will rebuild it myself so that I can afford to replace all the above mentioned parts. I know that some of those bushings are almost nothing but dust at this point.

Where do I find the instructions that Mace has?

 

[Dirty Toad]

It's hard to tell from the video- are you seeing anything "pop" or jump when you hear the noise? I can definitely hear the noise, but don't see any abnormal movement.

Does it do this when the front end is lifted, or only while loaded?

BTW- looks to me like you're an internet pro with your fancy video post and all! I didn't even know you could do that!

Only the shifting of the leaf spring and lean/bend of the shackle. no noise at all when unloaded.

 

[Dynosoar]

Link to Mace's porting/rebuild of steering box.


https://forum.ih8mud.com/60-series-wagons/156624-fj60-hydro-assist-porting.html


It's good reading. However, I still believe your problems will disappear if you redo the bushings/TRE's & drag links. On a side note be sure you get good (Japanese) parts. I have used the good (Japaneses) 555 brand, but beware some 555's are made in China (not so good) I believe Kurt at Cruiser outfitters gets the good ones as well as Mudrak in No.Cal. As far as the bushings just get some Poly bushings and lube them up real well. If you want you could drive it down (I know it's kinda far) and I help you with the work.

Dynosoar

 

[cruiser88]

Trunnion bearings?

 

[Dirty Toad]

Trunnion bearings?

where are those?

Are those the bb's that they talk about inside the steering box?

 

[Dirty Toad]

ok, just googled "Trunnion bearings" and it gave me a link back to mud , this place really is the ultimate source for all info worth knowing

I just replaced those less than a year ago. i really hope that those are not jacked up. That would suck monkey balls. Big hairy ones.

 

[cruiser88]

ok, just googled "Trunnion bearings" and it gave me a link back to mud , this place really is the ultimate source for all info worth knowing

I just replaced those less than a year ago. i really hope that those are not jacked up. That would suck monkey balls. Big hairy ones.

Steering can be a bitch to pin down.


Go check to make sure the arm is tight on the knockle .If it is loose at all that very well is your issue. As a matter of fact check it with a torque wrench to insure it is in fact tight. It is not the first time after a rebuild it/they came loose .

 

[Dirty Toad]

Steering can be a bitch to pin down.


Go check to make sure the arm is tight on the knockle .If it is loose at all that very well is your issue. As a matter of fact check it with a torque wrench to insure it is in fact tight. It is not the first time after a rebuild it/they came loose .

will do. that would piss me off, but at least I will be that much closer to figuring it out.

 

[micnicholasj]

? best place to BUY steering box

i think my fj60 needs a steering box 4 p/s, alignment shop said it's done, no more tightening and it's super sloppy. would like to buy one if possible instead of waiting 3 weeks to have mine rebuilt, obvious negatives.
anyone know the best and most affordable place to buy a new or rebuilt box? and not chinese junk, must be from the land of the rising sun instead of that oxygen sucking commie haven up and to the left. thanks

 

[Cruiserdrew]

i think my fj60 needs a steering box 4 p/s, alignment shop said it's done, no more tightening and it's super sloppy. would like to buy one if possible instead of waiting 3 weeks to have mine rebuilt, obvious negatives.
anyone know the best and most affordable place to buy a new or rebuilt box? and not chinese junk, must be from the land of the rising sun instead of that oxygen sucking commie haven up and to the left. thanks

Steering boxes are surprisingly expensive. A new one is $2500 or so from Toyota.

You might look for someone parting a truck, buy the steering box as a core and send it off to be rebuilt at West Texas Offroad.

When I was looking at rebuilt boxes from an internet source, it was about $550. Actually, I just looked it up and it's $395 + $200 core charge.

Are you sure your box is bad?