Theory on preventing frame cracks around steering box and panhard bracket (26 Viewers)

[Kernal]

@SNLC said "Toyota fixed this problem when they added coil springs to the front of the 70-series in 1999 --- you have to remove the front frame cross-member and replace it with the 70-series."

Not planning to do that mod myself, just wondering how the 70 Series updated design is different from the 80 Series?

Anyone have photos showing the difference ie: for comparison 70 Series vs 80 Series?

 

[Broski]

I plan to leave well enough alone unless an issue occurs.

 

[SNLC]

Cheers

 

[PeterTheBeater]

Wow I do not know how you guys were able to strip and grind the paint from inside the frame rail.

 

[landtank]

During the repair Lee turned to me and asked “do you hear that? Sounds like something is boiling.”

Giving how my steering is responding after the repair I’d say it was my power steering fluid.

The power steering hose has an U shaped metal pipe with a metal mount that bolts to the frame just in front of the steering box. My thought is that there was enough heat transfer during the repair to affect the fluid in the hose.

I’m driving home and will dig into it once there.

As a precaution I’m advising anyone doing this repair in frame, un bolt that hose and tie it off out of harms way.

 

[Broski]

View attachment 3949867
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Cheers

Interested to see what you come up with LAN
I’m sure it well be out of the box thinking

 

[landtank]

So here is a sample of my power steering fluid. Flushed it out and took the truck for a drive and everything seems fine. I’ll probably flush it again after driving some.

 

[robnicko]

So here is a sample of my power steering fluid. Flushed it out and took the truck for a drive and everything seems fine. I’ll probably flush it again after driving some. View attachment 3955486

looks like a very strong Port or Shiraz

 

[landtank]

looks like a very strong Port or Shiraz

when nosed there were notes of tar.

 

[reklund5]

Wow I do not know how you guys were able to strip and grind the paint from inside the frame rail.

It was easy with the engine, radiator, power steering box and all power steering hoses removed

 

[PeterTheBeater]

Chasing my own tail here…

I’ve welded in the reinforcement. That involved me removing steering box & steering arm. Now I’ve also put in delta 3L lower controls arms and pressed the bushes in myself (noticed the crack right after that).

After assembling everything together with new steering stabilizer, it just sounds off when driving, especially breaking. Sounds loose and can almost feel it in the steering. Can’t really notice or hear anything at speed or when accelerating, mostly when braking.

Steering box has new 1/2” grade 8 bolts, all are tight.
Control arms bolt and nuts are tight.
Knuckle arm bolts are tight.
tie rods and steering stabilizer is tight.
Steering coupler is tight.

Took the brakes off on the left side, caliper is tight, brake pads are good (still making noise after putting them back together).
Bled the brakes.

Checked for bearing play, none.

I can’t find a single loose thing, took it for alignment at stellar built and couldn’t find anything on the rack either.

The reinforcement is still welded it and hasn’t cracked off even with my booger welds.

Is there something I’m missing? Or just increased road noise transfer from the new arms? I mean it almost sounds like balls in a drum….

 

[reklund5]

@PeterTheBeater is your steering shaft seal at the firewall shot, allowing the steering shaft to flop around?