steering problem

Hello all,

The steering on my taco has recently become extremely stiff, in addition, the steering wheel does not return to the center position. There's no noise associated with the stiffness.
Things I've checked: ball joints, alignment, tire pressure, PS fluid, and belt. Nothing is wrong. Before I replace the rack and pinion does anyone have any suggestions as to what it could be?

Thanks in advance

 

Is everything in the greased?

 

Yes everything is greased. The truck is more difficult to steer at low speeds. I've read that some vehicles have variable assist power steering. This would assist the truck is making turns at lower speeds. Does anyone know if an 05 taco is equipped with this and if so where it would be located.

 

I have an 08 Tacoma and I am recently experiencing the same thing. Stiff steering at low speeds, not returning to centre. Your query was from 2010 and I was wondering if by now you have found the cause. I had a couple people drive it and they never really found it a problem but they drive Ford Rangers so I can't expect much.

 

yea my steering is stiff at begining of starting to turn the wheel then gets easy and every 180* gets stiff an the easy again?????

 

?

 

Mine was doing this. I Pressure washed all the built up grime on the small u joint in the steering shaft (located almost direcly above the cv shaft), sprayed the hell out of it with pb blaster, drove it around the block and the problem was fixed.

So far I've sprayed it down with white lithium grease and have had no issues now for two weeks.

The u joint is non serviceable and the assembly costs 370$ plus tax at the dealership so hopefully this cheap fix works for you too

 

Thanks I'll have a look at that as soon as the weather clears. Spring arrived with a few days of Summer temperatures (near 90 degress f) and then Spring weather comes back and now we are back in to Winter with snow. :-(

 

On Tuesday after a bunch of rain, I drove my truck and haven't noticed the steering issue since. I realize it will probably return but it seems just the lubrication from the water has made a difference. I'm going to pressure wash the ujoint and spray it with some kind of lub like was suggested.

 

I went at this the other day when mine was it's worst. ( I was getting nervous driving it) I was going to skip the pressure washer part but decided I would follow directions) So I pressure washed that ujoint... Sprayed it with PB Blaster (a penetrating fluid). Left it sit for awhile. Took it for a drive and I didn't notice too much difference if any. So I gave it another good shot of PB Blaster and drove it again. It seemed to be better. I then sprayed it with White Lithium Grease. I do not notice it at all now. Thank you so much. I would recommend anyone to spray that ujoint now before it starts to stiffen up.

 

I have an 06 Tacoma. When it had 130,000 miles on it, the steering got tight. Replaced rack and pinion (In March) and power steering tube assembly and fluids. This worked for a few months but end of July the problem has completely returned! Will this power wash- lithium grease be the answer? Matt

 

Some people have had issue in the steering u joint. It dries out and gets stiff.

 

Spraying the U-joint in the steering column is a temporary fix. Replacing the part with the u-joint will fix it for good. Since this thread started I have replaced the section with the U-joint. Purchased my part from Village Toyota Parts out of Florida and saved $150 from what my dealer in Nova Scotia wanted even with shipping and customs.

 

Thanks so much for this thread ! I was shopping around for a price on a Pwr Steering pump and caught this thread by chance. I was skeptical that the pump or the hydraulics were bad (no leaks, no noises, no change to the rpms when attempting to turn) but didn't know what else it could be.
After reading this I had my wife turn the steering while I sprayed the garden hose on that rusty little u-joint behind the Rack & Pinion box - and EUREKA ! the steering improved dramatically !
I then sprayed a generous amount of WD-40 on it. We'll see how long that lasts - no doubt it will have to be replaced at some point. But bottom line, this post saved me a lot of aggravation and money trying to figure out where the real problem is. THANKS !

 

I love a happy ending. Right on

 

You guys scare me with your pressure washing and PB Blasting your steering U joints. If that thing fails you could drive right into a bus! You know what happens if you snap a steering cable on a boat .... you go right over the side, this is no less dangerous.

This is a known failure, there are complaints to the NTSB on this issue. Toyota does not properly protect their steering joints with a cover like GM and the likes. Their steering joints are exposed and look like something out of a 1970's erector set. If you even suspect that the joint is going bad, replace it immediately!

I had one fail on my '06 Tacoma and I caught it in time. This is nothing to mess with, if you spray it and it helps, drive it somewhere and get it replaced or go get the parts. Cleaning and lubing is not a good or lasting temporary repair. By spraying the joint indicates that it's already too late, water has gotten into the needle bearing and has already ruined them, there is no bringing them back from the dead, nor is there any bringing you back from the dead when you lose your steering and go into a building!

 

Padbos,

Hotrod53 ain't just whistling in the dark. That universal joint that you glossed over by lubricating it will kill you if not replaced. For you and your families safety replace the Lower Intermediate Shaft, this is the part with the universal joint in it.

 

I'd check the u-joint on the steering shaft first. If that's fine, I would back off the backlash adjustment a wee bit where the steering shaft meets the rack and pinion.

 

Not recommended... IMO

 

Has anyone ever had to replace the u-joint a second time? I have replaced mine a few years ago but sometimes I wonder if the steering feels a tad stiff again.