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Steering getting stiff

Wooly0000

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Mar 13, 2015
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england
its the 2nd time this has happened, the steering is getting stiff when trying to turn it, the last time it happened my garage fixed it, has anyone had this???
best wishes wooley
 
Is it notchy? If so it could be the universal joint in the steering column. I had similar and changed it myself. Not the hardest job, although the connector at the bottom into the steering box was a bitch to get off.

And whatever you do, make sure you secure the steering wheel in place so that it does not spin freely....
 
Thanks Tony your right it does feel notchy, i wont be doing it though its off to the garage, the last time they fixed it the repair has lasted a few years, although i did crash it a few weeks back so i dont think that helped........
 
See the splined slip joint on that shaft , loosen and oil it . Inadvisable but after fitting a bodylift and steering spacer to my 90 steering was very stiff so i drove slowly around a small block of houses with it loose so it could free itself and find its own setting . Steering came good so i tightened the collar and its been fine ever since .
 
many thanks for the replys much appreciated, i will let you know how i get on

thanks again
 
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its the 2nd time this has happened, the steering is getting stiff when trying to turn it, the last time it happened my garage fixed it, has anyone had this???
best wishes wooley
I am having the same problem (2004. model). Sticking steering at any speed; start happening quite suddenly. At one repair shop, they told me they have to rebuild a hydraulic steering rack, at a place where they are fixing heavy trucks steerings they started to gently hammer (tapping) the steering shaft cross and spraying it with WD-40, just as TonyP suggested, and it worked. Now it is OK, almost all the time - but I don't know for how long.
I am considering replacing that lower cross (marked red on the picture in attachment)
 

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I'm experiencing a very similar problem for the second time.

KDJ120 LC4 2003.

3 years ago when the problem began I was advised it was a pump failure. I had the pump replaced and it made no difference. A different garage said it was the rack. So I replaced that (with a refurb) and it seemed to do the job.

Fast-forward to a couple of months ago and the stiff/clunky steering had returned. Asked the garage to check the rack and they said it was worn and needed replacing (it could of been a bad refurb?). Had that replaced - as well as the power steering lines due to a leak - and it seemed better; albeit not perfect on the drive home.

The day after I did a 100 mile drive and the problem has returned again. Garage has now advised that replacing the pump is the next logical step. Now I daren't drive it in case I burn another rack.

Has anyone experienced something similar?

Any advice would thoroughly appreciated.
 
Had the issue about this time last year, notchy steering. Mine was sorted by the part shown in post 7 @Zmayski
A bit of rubbing on the joint with a wire brush and then coating in oil solved the issue, eventually it’ll need replacing, but was an instant fix. I do occasionally lube it with a bit of oil, but so far been fine.
 
Yes, try oiling the joint in the steering column, if it makes it a bit better then it's most likely that part.
 
I'm experiencing a very similar problem for the second time.
I had the pump replaced and it made no difference.
A different garage said it was the rack. So I replaced that
stiff/clunky steering had returned.
Had that replaced - as well as the power steering lines due to a leak - and it seemed better; albeit not perfect on the drive home.
The day after I did a 100 mile drive and the problem has returned again.
Garage has now advised that replacing the pump is the next logical step.

KDJ120LC4, I am afraid that your garage is just guessing. One mistake could be tolerated to anyone, but this step-by-step replacement until you have a new car is an amateurish job.

Please, check this page: Toyota Land Cruiser: Troubleshooting - Steering - [Leaving Land Cruiser Club]
Clear, transparent flow list, from simplest (and cheapest!) problems/solutions to the more complex ones.
And steering rack is the last on the list, not first and "then we will see..."

Hard steering3. Tires (Improperly inflated) 4. Power steering fluid level (Low) 5. Drive belt (Loose)
6. Front wheel alignment (Incorrect) 7. Steering system joints (Worn) 8. Suspension arm ball joints (Worn) 9. Steering column (Binding) 10.Power steering gear
 
@Zmayski - thanks for the comment, link, and advice. I share your disappointment. More frustrating is that it's been a different garage for each of the two failures.

I'm going to try the low-hanging fruit and then search for a reputable 4x4/Land Cruiser specialist in the North-East. Depending on the outcome - and forecasted price - unfortunately, I may have to end up selling. I'm out of my depth with this kind of fix and I'm already deep in to the money pit.
 
Was the rack refurbished or did they just swap it for a used one ?





And there's nothing left to fail

But i'm wondering myself if the track rod ends are dry of grease and seizing up , dismantling to get at the rack would free them up for a time ?
 
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@Shayne the first rack was a refurb and lasted around 3 years. The second that's just been put in was second hand but confirmed by the garage as "good condition" prior to being fitted. Following that - as per my original post - the problem seemed to be fixed until the day after when I put 100 miles on it.

Re. those parts, I've also just had the steering pipes replaced. That leaves the pump and column shaft. My concern is that doing so doesn't fix it and I'm right back where I started but £1200+ down.

But i'm wondering myself if the track rod ends are dry of grease and seizing up , dismantling to get at the rack would free them up for a time ?

Potentially. I think I need to see a specialist rather than just throwing money at it and hoping something sticks.
 
I thought it was you said the rack was refurbished ?

I don't pay much attention to the 120 questions but its always sad to see someone getting to thinking it can't be fixed because it always can , trouble is most garages like to swap out expensive parts first .

Trying to apply logic without really knowing because i've never taken a steering columb apart i will assume the rubber boot hides a sliding ram which brings to mind my 90's stiff steering being maladjusted due to a body lift (the spacer made it too long) soooooooo if your sliding ram seizes up perhaps that has the same effect i.e making the steering stiff because the shaft is a little too long ?
 
First of all - thanks for chiming in and trying to help.

I thought it was you said the rack was refurbished ?

The first rack (to replace the original) was a refurb that the garage arranged in 2018. Therefore, I can only trust it was adequately handled. As of this month, it has now been replaced with a second hand rack from eBay. Obviously this raises questions as to why it needed replacing so soon; however, that ship has sailed and I'm on to another rack.

I don't pay much attention to the 120 questions but its always sad to see someone getting to thinking it can't be fixed because it always can , trouble is most garages like to swap out expensive parts first .

I concur. Thus far the whole affair with garages has been disappointing.

I have no doubt it can be fixed. Unfortunately, it seems I've had some bad luck with garages thus far and I don't have the required knowledge/skill to sort it myself.

However, I will certainly be taking the advice given so far and attempt the simpler/cheaper options.

Trying to apply logic without really knowing because i've never taken a steering columb apart i will assume the rubber boot hides a sliding ram which brings to mind my 90's stiff steering being maladjusted due to a body lift (the spacer made it too long) soooooooo if your sliding ram seizes up perhaps that has the same effect i.e making the steering stiff because the shaft is a little too long ?

I'd have to have a look. I have no idea off the top of my head.
 
yep just put some oil on it and the result is great, I will get it changed in the next few weeks, but thanks for the advice much appreciated.
 
Long story short - fixed. It was a cat-and-mouse combination of the steering rack and power steering pump. Now reluctantly up for sale.

Thanks to everyone for the help and input.
 
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