few thoughts on a new 80 purchase please

[jfz80]

So finally actually might be joining the crowd finally. Looking at an 80 here and hoping to make a decision tonight. lots of pm and great additions only two real concerns that i would like to get some opinions on. thanks

1) stiff steering- after driving many 80's w/ various miliage this vehicle had the stiffest steering feel so far. No work has been done to the steering so far. Sure rod ends to take out some play, but anythin g to account for ( worry about) w/ the steering having such resistance. Power steering looked and sounded fine, just felt noticeable amount of resistance.???? heavy lift 285's but ive driven others similar w/out this feel

2) sticky stuff????- what is this as far as i know work done in this area includes new rear main seal (1year ago) and new fuel filter ( which leaked slightly for couple days until retightened). so question is on the bottom of the tranny there is a film that looks like oil blow back b ut upon examination (touching) it proves to be much more tacky; as in it will string out 18'' or more before breaking. looks like gluey substance and has no noticeable smell... sticky not slicky so what gives????

thanks-

Jason

 

[RavenTai]

1, one posibilty is that the steerign box adjustment was overtightened, will it center itself or do you have to help it along to center after a turn? if it will nto cventer I think the box needs to be adjusted, if it is just overall hard to steer then paehapse the pump is nto puttign out the propper pressure.

2. no idea

 

[hoser]

2) All the 80's I have seen have that undercoating on the transmission and surrounding area for corrosion protection. It either comes from the factory that way or is sprayed on right before transport.

 

[jfz80]

thanks---
1)pump has been checked/not replaced because pressure seemed fine as well as function. hard to tell exactly now that im not in it but seemed slightly resistant to recentering so that could be a good place to start. seemed to wander but dont they all. it had sway bar drop f/r but not caster correction plates.....just the bushings which seem to work for some vehicles not for others and at 200k im sure some rod ends are worn

2)good to know--- maybe just worn off or gunked up on all the others ive seen; @12 years old i'm suprised to see it still there

any other thoghts?

 

[RavenTai]

2) All the 80's I have seen have that undercoating on the transmission and surrounding area for corrosion protection. It either comes from the factory that way or is sprayed on right before transport.

so that was not just oil eh? when I pulled my tranny pan I spent an hour cleaning it, was more dificult than expected to be just oil, on top was oil and grime from engien leak. figured the whole thing was.

mine is now bare painted steel looks moch better, corrosion pretection not needed due to built in undercarrige oil fogging system

 

[RavenTai]

any other thoghts?

jack of the front end and check for play in the trunion bearings of the knuckle, another trouble spot,

when I adjusted my box I went overboard the first time, had poor return to center and a heavy feel in the wheel, problem was that there was more wear in the middle of the left and right than there was in the extremes, the center had no play due to a mechanisim in the box, but just off center left and right had the most, also one side has a more play that the other so I could not take all of the play out without drag in the tight spots that had not worn as much.

loosen the jam nut on top of the box and back the scew off 90 degrees and retighten the jam nut careful not move the adjustign screw, see if that helps with the feel and go from there via trial and error, the sweet spot is just loose enough so that there is not any bind anywhere in the range of motion but no so loose as to have slop in the sterring

first time I tired removing the drag link and measuring play in the pitman with a dial indicaor, but after finding the uneven play accross the range of motion that was not worth the effort.

the FSM has a good procedure for adjustment but the box has to be removed from the vehicle will work good for a new box but used box agian not worth the effort.

 

[jfz80]

sweet....thanks again I have not purchased the vehicle but am wanting to do so. the current owner being mechanically trained(toyo at that) and probably willing to help make this adjustment, i will definately present the idea. if i understand correctly box has to be removed to adjust? and do you mean that adjusting a used box would be worthless cause of differing wear thoughout the motions; only worth it on a new one?

and for the 20th question: if a full axle service was performed minus wiper seals, would this have addressed trunion bearings....searching now for clarification on trunion bearings

i will ask again exactly what parts were replaced tonight

 

[RavenTai]

to adjust the box per the FSM it needs to be out of the truck, you can adjust it in the truck via trial and error. I would start by loosing the screw drive it and go from there based on feel.

it is hard to guess how complete an incomplete birf repak was, the wiper seals and trunion breaings require removal of the knuckle, so if the wiper seals were not dons it is quite possible that the knuckle was not removed therfore the trunion bearings not replaced. getting truthful details from the seller of a vehicle is a crap shoot.

 

[Romer]

Could the film your seeing be grease from the drive shaft? Lots of times after they are freshly lubed (till it squirts out the U Joint) grease will fly off as it spins.

 

[jfz80]

Could the film your seeing be grease from the drive shaft? Lots of times after they are freshly lubed (till it squirts out the U Joint) grease will fly off as it spins.

im all too familiar w/ that on the DC shafts in my tacoma, one pump too much and you get a lengthy reminder....but not the case here
reminded me of syrup w/ a bit more stringiness

Raven Tai-- thanks for the responses. will give it a shot. plan on seeing and driving again tomorrow. any guesses on $ for a new box? or i guess that could be my first ?for C-dan

 

[RavenTai]

IIRC prohibitively expensive, Dan will have a better answer

 

[jfz80]

ok ok help the rookie out IIRC ???, but i get the point i think$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

 

[RavenTai]

If I Remember Correctly

 

[jfz80]

thanks, this place is great. im gettin antzy ; i want it so with any luck this weekend will seal the deal.. anybody want a tacoma? (classified ad pending purchase)