I just had a semi-productive session under the hood of my 1986 FJ60. I have been chasing an abnoxious steering slow=speed steering clunk for several months...New TREs, New Wheel Bearings, New Knuckles...still clunked! I read several threads about the steering shaft being the cause so I took that apart today. For orientation, I am talking about the splined 2-part shaft that goes from the steering gear box to the firewall. I got it unfastened at the splined yoke where it goes to the gear box, and with a little effort, took the male end of the shaft out. In the process, I also took the 14 mm bolt out of the splined yoke at the firewall u-joint as well (bad idea to be discussed later). The male end was dry, dry, dry so I greased it up and also shoved some grease in the hole in the female end (don't get excited guys). Another semi-bad idea. There was too much grease and when I slipped the two parts together, it sealed so well that the air pressure and grease prevented me from getting the shaft back on the steering box. I tried to get some grease out with a coat hanger and a rag but it was slow going. So, I drilled a 1/16 inch hole in the female half of the shaft up toward the firewall end. After that, the two parts went together great as the excess grease came squirting out. I have plans of installing a grease zerk there soon if my grease needle won't work.
But, the removal of the 14 mm bolt from the splined yoke at the firewall was a BIG mistake. The damn bolt would not thread back in; the yoke must be under tension and when the bolt came out, it became mis-aligned. I fought that SOB for an hour and finally did a Rube Goldberg with some US threaded rod to make a temporary hold-fast to get by. Will get a hardened bolt later this week.
However, the test drive revealed that the steering shaft WAS the source of the clunk. I suspect the grease deal is a temporary fix, but it was wonderful to drive without hearing that damn clunk! Will put a zerk in soon.
Lessons:
1. When you have a slow speed steering clunk, consider that the steering shaft needs grease.
2. When you grease that sucker, don't use too much or you will have a fight on your hands that can be solved by drilling a small hole to let the excess grease out. I have a grease needle and will try it in the hole in the future.
3. Do not totally remove the tightening bolt on the upper (firewall) U-joint if at all possible. First of all, it is not necessary to get grease in the problem area. If you must, I would say just loosen it enough to struggle with the removal of the U-joint.
4. Make reference marks on the u-joints so that you can get the shaft on so that the steering wheel will line up straight when you put it back together.
But, the removal of the 14 mm bolt from the splined yoke at the firewall was a BIG mistake. The damn bolt would not thread back in; the yoke must be under tension and when the bolt came out, it became mis-aligned. I fought that SOB for an hour and finally did a Rube Goldberg with some US threaded rod to make a temporary hold-fast to get by. Will get a hardened bolt later this week.
However, the test drive revealed that the steering shaft WAS the source of the clunk. I suspect the grease deal is a temporary fix, but it was wonderful to drive without hearing that damn clunk! Will put a zerk in soon.
Lessons:
1. When you have a slow speed steering clunk, consider that the steering shaft needs grease.
2. When you grease that sucker, don't use too much or you will have a fight on your hands that can be solved by drilling a small hole to let the excess grease out. I have a grease needle and will try it in the hole in the future.
3. Do not totally remove the tightening bolt on the upper (firewall) U-joint if at all possible. First of all, it is not necessary to get grease in the problem area. If you must, I would say just loosen it enough to struggle with the removal of the U-joint.
4. Make reference marks on the u-joints so that you can get the shaft on so that the steering wheel will line up straight when you put it back together.
