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Sticky steering on a 2006

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by Panther, Aug 4, 2011.

  1. Aug 4, 2011 at 7:45 PM
    #1
    Panther

    Panther [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Hey,

    I have a 2006 TRD Sport, totally stock in terms of the suspension/steering. I took it off road, nothing too hard, just some old logging roads. Since then, I've noticed sticky steering when turning left and right. Is this something related to an alignment, or is it something else? I do need an alignment, but have needed one on trucks before, and steering has never been stiff like it is now.

    Any advice?

    Thanks!
     
  2. Aug 4, 2011 at 10:57 PM
    #2
    Sierra4x4

    Sierra4x4 Member

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    Is your 4wd still on?
     
  3. Aug 5, 2011 at 9:08 AM
    #3
    Panther

    Panther [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Nope it's off, and when I engage it, I can feel it turn on. When I disengage it, I can also feel it turn off.
     
  4. Aug 13, 2011 at 12:44 PM
    #4
    Panther

    Panther [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Any thoughts? Power steering fluid looks good, it's a little lower than the max mark in the reservoir. It mostly gets stiff to steer under 30mph, and is equally stiff both left and right. I greased up the U joint in the column before it goes through the fire wall, but it's still doing it. I was thinking maybe there's a leak in the rack?
     
  5. Aug 20, 2011 at 11:36 AM
    #5
    Panther

    Panther [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Ok, so it's not a leak in the rack, from what I can tell. I think it's the U-joint. It's pretty gummed up with dirt in the grease, and not even really lubricated anymore. I cleaned it off and sprayed it down with WD40 just to get to the automotive store, and I bought CRC Heavy Duty Silicone lube. Would you guys recommend this? Or is Lithium grease better? And, dumb question, all the auto store had was grease in aerosol cans - should I be using something more legit, or is spray grease fine?

    Thanks in advance!
     
  6. Feb 9, 2012 at 7:16 PM
    #6
    Panther

    Panther [OP] Well-Known Member

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    For anyone else with this issue, my neighbor recommended that I change the power steering fluid. Although it rarely goes bad, it can in some cases get pretty dirty. I used a big 50ml syringe with some tygon tubing and emptied out the reservoir, replacing it with new power steering fluid/tranny fluid (Mercon or something, I can't exactly remember which it takes now, check your manual). I drove around for about two days, and repeated. It'd completely free of any tight spots or sticky steering now. It would probably be good to do it about three times.

    Hope this helps anyone in a similar situation!
     
  7. Jan 20, 2013 at 5:47 PM
    #7
    over60

    over60 Over70 & still a "Grumpy Old Guy"

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    I don't see anything wrong with that rack..... In fact it's kinda nice....!!

    I'd suggest that you pay a little more attention to that Rack and let the steering fend for itself...hehehe

    over
     
  8. Jun 19, 2013 at 4:45 PM
    #8
    over60

    over60 Over70 & still a "Grumpy Old Guy"

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    Hot Damn.... Now I've got the EXACT same issue... Go figure, eh!...

    Sticky steering.... I'm gonna lube the shit outta the lower U joint on the steering column... that has worked for many...

    Toodles...
     
  9. Jul 17, 2013 at 4:24 PM
    #9
    over60

    over60 Over70 & still a "Grumpy Old Guy"

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    I sprayed penetrating oil on there like there was no tomorrow....then drove it a bit ... moving the steering as much as possible... then sprayed it again and let sit overnite......

    Problem solved..... it's just a very bad location for that knuckle...it gets blasted by all the road grime, etc and you cannot keep oil or grease on it....

    Part of my oil change routine in to now spray white lithium grease all over it each time...

    Hope this help you other guys...

    Over:)..
     
  10. Jan 30, 2014 at 5:33 PM
    #10
    over60

    over60 Over70 & still a "Grumpy Old Guy"

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    OK... update.... the sticky steering has been fixed by lubricating that knuckle.... Spray yours or experience the same issue guys...

    Over...
     
  11. Jan 30, 2014 at 9:36 PM
    #11
    Taco'09

    Taco'09 Well-Known Member

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    ^^ You need to replace that lower shaft. The water and road slush has probably rusted the needles in that U-joint. The penetrating stuff typically does not last very long and is just a band aid...and the last thing you want is for that joint to seize...yes it has happened. This is a safety component afterall.
     
  12. Feb 25, 2014 at 4:10 AM
    #12
    davidsonr91

    davidsonr91 New Member

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    Just started having the sticking steering problem, what knuckle are you all referring to?
     
  13. Feb 25, 2014 at 4:29 AM
    #13
    davidsonr91

    davidsonr91 New Member

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    Just started having the sticking steering problem, what knuckle are you all referring to?
     
  14. Feb 25, 2014 at 7:09 AM
    #14
    Taco'09

    Taco'09 Well-Known Member

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    Its the u-joint on steering intermediate shaft No.2. The joint is part of the shaft so you must buy the entire shaft, Toyota Part No. 45203-04020.
     
  15. Mar 22, 2014 at 6:47 PM
    #15
    over60

    over60 Over70 & still a "Grumpy Old Guy"

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    Don't replace it...!!!... Just spray the shit outa it.... it will cost you BIG bucks from dealer to replace it..

    Mine has been fine since I did it last June....( months ago...!!)

    PS... get under there.. it's the knuckle very close to the steering worm gear.... Bad location... gets lots of road spray...
     
  16. Mar 22, 2014 at 9:41 PM
    #16
    landphil

    landphil Fish are FOOD, not friends!

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    I cannot agree with this, as it is plain bad advice. Steering and brakes are not areas to try a pinch a few pennies on. The joint was binding because of rust / corrosion forming on the cross and needle bearings inside the u-joint cups, and spraying the "shit" outa them did not restore them to their original condition, nor is there any guarantee that it will not bind up on you tomorrow. Is your life and the lives of everyone around really worth less than the lower steering shaft?

    Now, regularly spraying fluid film or the like on a new, good joint to repel water and prevent corrosion, now that's a good idea.
     
    SWPA Tacoma likes this.
  17. May 8, 2014 at 2:42 PM
    #17
    over60

    over60 Over70 & still a "Grumpy Old Guy"

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    I have had "0" sticky steering since I loosened it up.... I spray the joint with lubricant every oil change now as part of my routine.....

    The problem is solved as far as I'm concerned....
     
  18. Jun 24, 2014 at 5:33 PM
    #18
    over60

    over60 Over70 & still a "Grumpy Old Guy"

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    Still no re-occurance of this sticky steering since I started spraying that "U" joint last year....

    "MY" problem has been solved....

    Over:p
     
    JLTIMM likes this.
  19. Mar 7, 2016 at 7:30 AM
    #19
    rick24

    rick24 Member

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    over60....Thank you so much for your tip! It absolutely fixed it for me. Thanks again!
     
  20. Mar 7, 2016 at 8:25 AM
    #20
    Taco'09

    Taco'09 Well-Known Member

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    This is really bad advise. Like landphil said above ^^ safety items are not the place to save a few pennies.
     

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