Hi All, I had purchased a 80 series last year and so far had been completely enjoying it, last week I took a 2000 km trip around the country and observed steering issue after taking a long drive, more than an hour duration. The steering starts getting hard you need extra force to turn it around. While on short trips it works perfectly fine. I have checked the steering fluid level and it is perfectly fine. Also the ATF looks pretty clean. The LC is equipped with 33 inch MTs since I have purchased it. Any idea what could be the issue, where I need to start looking?
LC 80 steering gets hard after long drive (2 Viewers)
- Thread starter faisalirshad
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@NLXTACY makes a steering fluid cooler kit which would help with what you're describing.
I deal with the same issue once the system gets really hot.
Currently in the process of installing a rebuilt gearbox from red head. I'm curious to see if the new gearbox will help with "heavy steering" or if I need to add the cooler kit down the line.
Remember the stock cooler is just a paperclip shape on the front under the radiator. It picks up plenty of road heat and isn't that effective for cooling.
Someone else can correct me if I'm mistaken bit I believe the issue is worn out gearboxes along with hottt fluid.
I deal with the same issue once the system gets really hot.
Currently in the process of installing a rebuilt gearbox from red head. I'm curious to see if the new gearbox will help with "heavy steering" or if I need to add the cooler kit down the line.
Remember the stock cooler is just a paperclip shape on the front under the radiator. It picks up plenty of road heat and isn't that effective for cooling.
Someone else can correct me if I'm mistaken bit I believe the issue is worn out gearboxes along with hottt fluid.
- Thread starter
- #3
@enox Thanks for the details. So does installing the fluid cooler will still work if the steering gearboxes are worn out or in this case the best option would be getting the steering gearbox inspected? I want to understand if installing the fluid cooler will help it sustain for long time or eventually we have to get the steering gearbox inspected.
Driving on improved roads in a normal manner should never overheat the PS fluid. No one should need a bigger cooler other than someone wheeling hard on big tires in higher ambient temps.
First of all, what year is your 80 and what are its specifications as pertaining to engine, transmission and transfer case? I see that you are not in the U.S.
First of all, what year is your 80 and what are its specifications as pertaining to engine, transmission and transfer case? I see that you are not in the U.S.
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- Thread starter
- #5
Okay right I forgot to mention the details. Yes I am not in US and based in Pakistan, mine's is 1991 year, This is Japanese import with 1hdt engine and A442F 4 speed automatic transmission. The model is HDJ81. The engine and tranny is in pretty good condition and it has clocked 223000 kms so far. When I bought it it was sitting at 210000 kms and I had driver 13000km so far in a year.
Steering hard would indicate parts heating up and binding, lack of fluid, or possibly losing pressure.
First, I would remove the reservoir and thoroughly clean it, as there is a screen in there that could be clogged. Or, replace the reservoir with new.
Replace any hoses that have any indication of being excessively soft or hard. Soft would mean a hose breakdown and particulate into the system, clogging a screen, or a hole to allow air to suck in.
A hard hose may be doing something similar.
I would flush the steering system one or two times with Dexron 3 or equivalent. Possibly do this twice depending of color and quality of fluid in there and how much debris comes out with it.
First, I would remove the reservoir and thoroughly clean it, as there is a screen in there that could be clogged. Or, replace the reservoir with new.
Replace any hoses that have any indication of being excessively soft or hard. Soft would mean a hose breakdown and particulate into the system, clogging a screen, or a hole to allow air to suck in.
A hard hose may be doing something similar.
I would flush the steering system one or two times with Dexron 3 or equivalent. Possibly do this twice depending of color and quality of fluid in there and how much debris comes out with it.
Pump is going out. Pressure is most likely being lost due to the inability of the pump to build pressure when fluid viscosity is low.
Had a Tundra last week that had no steering issues, but a bad inner tie rod end. Replaced the rack with OEM Toyota, and after about 30 minutes of driving, power steering assist would be gone. Replaced rack again, thinking it was a bad remanufactured part, (it was the only part we replaced in the system so...)with no success. Ended up putting a new pump on it and the condition was eliminated. Hope this helps.
Had a Tundra last week that had no steering issues, but a bad inner tie rod end. Replaced the rack with OEM Toyota, and after about 30 minutes of driving, power steering assist would be gone. Replaced rack again, thinking it was a bad remanufactured part, (it was the only part we replaced in the system so...)with no success. Ended up putting a new pump on it and the condition was eliminated. Hope this helps.
The steering system in the 80 is completely different Than in a tundra.
I would start with what BILT4ME said.
carefully open up the power steering reservoir and clean the screen that sits in the bottom and then go from there.
I would start with what BILT4ME said.
carefully open up the power steering reservoir and clean the screen that sits in the bottom and then go from there.
Something like this, except could be steering box too, bypassing less viscous fluid etc.
Sounds like things are wearing out
Swapping in rebuilt now, due to same symptoms, heavy steering, sloppy wheel...
- Thread starter
- #11
Thank you everyone for the valuable input. Now I know what to start looking at, so I will start with cleaning the reservoir and the screen. Will see than if it solves the problem or otherwise will go ahead from there to the next steps. Will update in few days about the progress and results on it.
- Thread starter
- #12
New one looks good. Do share about the results after getting the new one installed.
Results are in - rebuilt gearbox is a huge improvement.
Steering feels responsive and turning the wheel with 35"s takes quite less effort.
Wheel turns, tires turn. I don't have play like I did before.
Long hot drive and it still feels nice. I'm sure the new clean fluid helped too.
Steering feels responsive and turning the wheel with 35"s takes quite less effort.
Wheel turns, tires turn. I don't have play like I did before.
Long hot drive and it still feels nice. I'm sure the new clean fluid helped too.
Hello everyone,
i am having similar steering issues as described by OP. I have flushed the system several time with mobile synthetic hydrualic fluid. I have the Witts End power steering cooler, new lines, and a relatively new pump. A year ago I had a line burst and the pump went out deep in the back country, hence the replacement pump, hoses, and cooler.
My 80 is my work truck and it goes off pavement almost everyday. When I get home the steering is basically gone. It’s a two hand operation just to park the damm truck. This was super frustrating and felt unsafe on a recent swamp lake wheeling trip.
From this thread it seems like my next steps should be:
flush the system
Clean the reservoir (how does one do this)
Replace the steering box (mine doesn’t leak but is original)
does that make sense? Does anyone have additional thoughts?
Thanks!
i am having similar steering issues as described by OP. I have flushed the system several time with mobile synthetic hydrualic fluid. I have the Witts End power steering cooler, new lines, and a relatively new pump. A year ago I had a line burst and the pump went out deep in the back country, hence the replacement pump, hoses, and cooler.
My 80 is my work truck and it goes off pavement almost everyday. When I get home the steering is basically gone. It’s a two hand operation just to park the damm truck. This was super frustrating and felt unsafe on a recent swamp lake wheeling trip.
From this thread it seems like my next steps should be:
flush the system
Clean the reservoir (how does one do this)
Replace the steering box (mine doesn’t leak but is original)
does that make sense? Does anyone have additional thoughts?
Thanks!
Cleaning the reservoir requires you to drain the system, remove it from the truck, then un-crimp the top to pull the screen out. There is an O-Ring between the body and the stamped steel top. Once open you can remove the screen, clean it and the inside of the body, find a new O-ring to match, then re-crimp the top back onto the body.
Or, you can buy a new reservoir for about $70 I think it was.
Red-Head Steering Gears
redheadsteeringgears.com
