Steering rebuild...Going In, Any Tips?

[dogboy]

well I finally broke down and had to order parts.....truck became too much of a handful of late, the steering being looser than a 2$ hoe :-X

before I get greasy, anyone have any sage advice, tips, must have tool list (aside from ), etc...? I'm dropping a rebuilt P/S gear box in as well as new tie rod & drag link ends. oh yeah, the OEM repair manual and Haynes hand cleaner book are standing by

thanks,
-dogboy- '87 FJ60

 

[Poser]

Pretty strait-forward deal, should not be that big of a deal...


Good luck!

-Steve

 

[Outback]

Be sure and get a rebuild kit for your center arm too...

That is where a lot of slop develops over time. If you're gonna replace the tie rod / drag link ends you may as well do this and KNOW that the WHOLE front end is tight and right.

I did the exact same thing --'cept I don't have P/S-- on my '72 FJ40. The steering went from sloppy to pretty decent. Putting a new sector roller kit in the manual steering box brought the steering back to OEM, like new spec. I almost hate to go P/S now but I'm gathering parts as we speak...

Jody.

 

[Travis_Kinney]

get yourself a pickle fork so you won't have to try and small the tie rod ends out. Will make life a lot easier.

 

[Outback]

Rent a tie rod end puller... You'll be glad you did.

Pickle forks are just a lot of unnecessary work if you ask me.

 

[dogboy]

thanks for the input guys..... i'll let you know how it all goes...

-db-

 

[78crzr]

A Pitman Arm Puller was necessary for me to get the Center Arm rebuild accomplished. Bought a pickle fork but didn't use it. Just clamped on to those b**ches(tie rod ends) and started twisting, but did have to give 2 of them some heat with a propane torch to convince them to come out. They were original and weren't very cooperative. All in all an easy job that made a huge difference in the way it drives. I also soaked everything with some good penetrating oil twice a day for about a week before I attampted the rod ends.

Good Luck with it!

 

[Yo_Han]

Just did mine bout 2 months ago and I second the pitman arm puller. Even with that I had to heat the pitman arm to finally get it to pop off.

Good luck with it!
Yo Han

 

[78crzr]

A Pitman Arm Puller was necessary for me to get the Center Arm rebuild accomplished. Bought a pickle fork but didn't use it. Just clamped on to those b**ches(tie rod ends) and started twisting, but did have to give 2 of them some heat with a propane torch to convince them to come out. They were original and weren't very cooperative. All in all an easy job that made a huge difference in the way it drives. I also soaked everything with some good penetrating oil twice a day for about a week before I attampted the rod ends.

Good Luck with it!

 

[Archengine]

I just ordered some tie-rods aswell, tired of the sloppy steering. So we had a cruiser meeting last Sunday, and Rodd adjusted my steering box. I didn't even know it could be adjusted. It tracks soooo straight now, I'm wondering if I should bother with the tie-rod ends. It firmed up the steering feel aswell, slightly harder to turn, but feels like my sisters old bmw with manual steering. Lots of feedback.