Steering Box / Steering Adjustment

[sp73]

My FJ60’s steering wheel has play that is around the 40mm limit. Not too bad but more noticeable at highway speeds. Looking at the FSM it recommends checking the steering box gear oil in addition to adjusting the screw. So far two issues:

Call me daft but (1) I cannot locate a fill plug, noted as part 45372 in the diagram. I have four bolts, one in each corner of the cover plate in addition to the adjustment screw in the center. (2) The adjustment screw is frozen. I have Kroil sitting on it now, I tried heat from my torch and tapping with a flathead screwdriver / rubber mallet combo so far.

 

[kevin in okinawa]

locate the separate, cylinder-shaped reservoir. don't fill with regular power steering fluid, use an appropriate Dextron II or III ATF (it will state on the filler cap that should have an embossed "T" on the lid).

 

[sp73]

locate the separate, cylinder-shaped reservoir. don't fill with regular power steering fluid, use an appropriate Dextron II or III ATF (it will state on the filler cap that should have an embossed "T" on the lid).

Of course! I serviced that months ago. Thanks for clearing this up.

 

[TheBussman]

The fill is located on the engine, power steering fluid reservoir. so far I've never been able to adjust a worn steering box into an acceptable amount of play. The worm screw that's part of the valve is typically what wears out, the valve is no longer available and was very expansive when it was. The steering box re-builders install oversized balls to take up slop and get rid of the play. rebuild it yourself if you can find the balls, send it out for rebuild or install a brand new 80 series box.

 

[duncanrm]

This 40mm play you've described.. you've definitively isolated this to the steering box?