problems with steering shaft??

i have a 05 tacoma 4x4. i put my winter tires on in the fall and noticed right away that the steering was heavy and notchy. so i added some air and it was a bit better.

spring is here so i put my stock rims and tires back on and the problem is still there, so now its clear its a different issue.

i called my mechanic (ex toyota mechanic now owns his own shop), he said right away steering shaft. told me to spray a lubricant on the shaft and joint and drive it for a couple km's and see if its better, it was better. so he is saying i need a new steering shaft.

has any one else experienced this? what did it cost you?

thanks.

 

Yup, been there done that. The u joint in the shaft had failed and all the needle bearing had fallen out of the joint. I tried to replace just the u joint in the shaft but couldn't source a replacement, had to purchase a whole new shaft. I paid around $400 just for the shaft here in Canada if memory serves me right. Installed it myself in less than an hour.

Its possible though that your u joint hasn't developed any play yet and just needs some lube. Try to use something without allot of solvents that will dry out the joint over time. Something like fluid film maybe?

 

i already got one on order, he has done 4 or 5 4runners and tacos recently... maybe toyota should throw a recall out on them...

 

mine has a ton of play in it

 

i got my new shaft in on saturday and the truck turns great. part was $380 and a hour of labor. the old one was very corroded and the seals were breaking out.