steering arm fell out!

[56gambit]

made a turn, 35mph and suddenly shot right down a hill..

it was midnight, missed a tree or 2.
This fell out:

The studs that hold the steering arm to the wheel assembly (?) were gone. Had to make something work; found some 14X1.25 bolts but could only get them in so far - it got us home.

Here's the deal... I've put the time in with research and am am not finding answers, and I'm guessing it's because I'm not asking the right questions.

I tried for an hour or so under the jacked up rig in that wet grass trying to push the arm back up into the bearing ( which I could feel so I know it's there) but couldn't get things to settle in. What is the deal, here? do I need to tap the bearing in from the top? Am I in for a more major takeapart than what I was hoping for?
Also, finding replacement studs online isn't working out so well. I keep seeing "not available" on the toyota sites. Studs are part# 43211A according to the drawing. It also looks like there might be some cones needed? I've scoured the sides of the road, no luck.

 

[serenity]

This should get you started. Front Axle Rebuild - For FAQ

If you haven't done a rebuild yet then it's probably in your future anyway, the studs coming loose is a common issue. Go get new genuine studs, cone washers and nuts and locktite them in. And check the other side.

And it can be difficult to line the spindle and the bearing and everything up to get it back together with the weight of the hub and brake on there, loosening the 6 bolts that hold the wiper seal on may make it a little easier too.

 

[NLXTACY]

Jeez I HATE seeing this. Someone didn't check torque when it was last rebuilt and worse yet it wasn't checked just out of pure OCDness. So glad no one was injured. Those bolts need to be part of a spares kit. Others will be able to answer your more pertinent questions.

 

[etarasoff]

Glad nobody was hurt.

 

[Whileemptyheadsdream]

You need to find a man who knows what he's doing to take a thorough look at your front end have them help you fix It . I think you would be much safer this way, I don't think you understand how serious this Is. Find a good 80 mechanic and do It right. Good Luck..!

 

[DSRTRDR]

some serious birf soup going on there, too

 

[Tools R Us]

It good to occasionally check your nuts, 71ft/lb.

Those threaded holes were m12x1.50, now not so much. If you don't have thread repair ninja skills, likely best to replace the knuckle.

 

[ZA80]

Glad you guys are OK.
As previously said. Get original parts and hopefully the thread held up in the knuckle to replace with new.

Rebuild the knuckles now and use the locktite. Lots of locktite.

 

[BILT4ME]

Lube your shafts and tighten your nuts!!!

Look up steering arm studs here and you'll find lots of threads. If you do a search for my posts, you'll find more info on what to do. I ALMOST had the same happen to me.

Glad no one got hurt other than your wallet.

 

[Tools R Us]

I never use loc-tite on knuckles.

 

[bloc]

#43211A only indicates the line in the part number index.

Front knuckle/steering arm studs: 90126-12005

Agree with others in this thread, unless you are really good at repairing threads you need to consider another knuckle.

 

[NLXTACY]

#43211A only indicates the line in the part number index.

Front knuckle/steering arm studs: 90126-12005

Agree with others in this thread, unless you are really good at repairing threads you need to consider another knuckle.

...or get a longer breaker bar and just finish the job.

 

[bmwjnky]

Well I know what I'm checking the torque on at lunch today.

OP, glad you are ok. Front rebuild isn't that hard, just messy and time consuming.

 

[SmokingRocks]

I never use loc-tite on knuckles.

I use to be in this camp. But after nearly losing my steering arm I replaced all the studs and blue loctited the crap out of them.

 

[math]

Only in a Land Cruiser can you literally lose the steering arm and careen off a hill...and still make it home using various random bolts you find.

 

[Corbet]

It good to occasionally check your nuts, 71ft/lb.

Those threaded holes were m12x1.50, now not so much. If you don't have thread repair ninja skills, likely best to replace the knuckle.

Just checked mine yesterday as a matter of fact.

 

[bloc]

Would be checking mine if i weren't planning a front-end rebuild in the next couple of weeks.. and it's off the road until then due to a slowly worsening front left wheel bearing.

 

[ranma21]

Thank God you are ok!! Those stud and nuts can get lose, It should be inspected especially before and after wheeling. Or make it a routine to at least visually check them at every oil change.

 

[rfakhrai]

I thought about asking this in the CRITICAL SAFETY ALERT thread, but what's the best way to get a torque wrench on the inner-most of these studs? The angle of them makes it so a typical socket will interfere with the brake shield.

 

[98 SNAKE EATER]

I never use loc-tite on knuckles.

I didn't use any Locktite on the nuts, but I did put some on a new set of studs.

Never had an issue with them backing out or the nuts coming loose as I check them religiously (I don't re-torque, just put a wrench on them to make sure they're tight)

After seeing this, I might just wrap them really tight with safety wire on the next repack