2007 Steering issue

Steering - Issue
2007 SR5 - 4cyl - standard - 68,000mi - A few weeks ago I had some issues with hard steering - (during some really cold weather - 10deg) - checked ps pump and it was very low on fluid - I got some dexron ATF as recommended and topped it off - now a few weeks later - the steering is hard to turn- and it almost won't return to straight after making a turn. I have checked the gear box and rack & pinion - no leaks--- very strange - I really hope I don't need a new rack

 

check your steering shaft u-joint. it's located on the driver's side of the engine bay, you can follow it from where the shaft comes out of your firewall and down to the u-joint. spray it with some pb blaster and work it with the wheels off the ground or just by driving it. if that's the problem you can either spray it down a lot to make it really clean and lubed, or replace it. i found it easiest to spray the u-joint from under the vehicle from the side of the skid plate. this happened to me a couple years ago and after this remedy it happened once again last year. this year it hasn't happened again (knock on wood) haha. my friends dad had the same problem and opted to have the shaft replaced for x amount of dollars. me... i'd rather spray it for a 5 dollar can of weasel piss. the salt and corrosion up here in mass really gets to that thing! good luck, hope that works for ya, keep us posted if that's the problem.

 

Thanks - that was exactly the problem - $3 woth of kroil and problem solved

 

good deal. let me know if you come up with any ideas for a boot or cover for this.

 

same problem for myself... I was actually more surprised that I found write-up so quick. I'm lovin "tacomaworld" more and more everyday! Thanks for the help guys!!

 

glad we could help!