I can move my steering wheel 2 to 3 inches without any change in direction. I did a quick search and I understand there is a nut you can adjust on the power steering box? If this is true could someone point me in the right direction on how to do this and whether or not it will work, or make a difference. thanks
Leonard,
Whats up man? Yeah, I had that same problem on my FJ62. At first I thought it was the gear box but I called a friend at Toyota and they said those gear boxes will last for hundreds of thousands of miles, so no worries there. You may have to get to that nut (this is how I had to do it) by pulling back the plastic guards under the fender well and you should see the gear box bolted to the frame, on the driver side. The nut you are referring to is located on top of the gear box and loosen the nut with (i think) a 17 mm wrench and use a flat head screw driver to tighted the screw on the inside of the nut. You may have to turn the screw a couple of turns to get it the way you want it to drive, but don't tighten to much or the gears inside the box will bind when you turn the wheel. If you tighten it too tight you probably won't be able to even turn the steering wheel. If it moves 2 to 3 inches, I would start turning that screw inside the nut to the right (to tighten) about 1 full turn and then drive it around your neighborhood and then if the problem still exist a quarter (1/4) turn after that, if neccessary. Basically you will need to play with the adjustment on the gear box to get the steering the way you want it. I hope that helps man.
I'll bet your steering box has little to do with the problem. In FJ60s the problem will be in the drag link ends. Look at the ends, pull the cotter pin, tighten them all the way and then back off about 1/4 -1/2 turn. The factory manual gives a higher figure, but less seems to work better with larger than stock tires. If you are out of adjustment threads, you can pull the whole mechanism apart and put a penny behind the keeper that grabs the ball of the tie rod end. This adjustment will buy you a bit of time, but basically you should just buy a set of tie rod ends that also includes the drag link ends. The two good brands are 555 and Joint Fuji. If you want to spend $$$ go with OEM. I have a slight personal preference for 555's since they come with zerks and can be lubed with a grease gun.
Lots of other things can be loose-like knuckle bearings, wheel bearings, etc. The steering box can get a tad loose but I doubt it's your problem.
I concur with cruiserdrew. I just installed a new hi-steer kit, which meant that I installed all new tie rod, drag link and all new ends. Before the install I had all kinds of slop--now I don't have any. So check rod/drag link ends first.
You might as well try and adjust that screw in the nut on top of the steering box exactly like sebo4wd explained. I just adjusted mine tonight and it tightened the steering right up. Its easy enough and should take you about 20 minutes or less. Now I don't wander like an intoxicated fool while trying to keep it between the lines. I also have slop in my draglinks. ¢2 fix first, then a new kit when I can. It might not help you, but it's worth a try. Helped me for sure.
