Power Steering too stiff

Hello everyone, i'm new at the forum and need your help.
my toyota tundra 2002 v8, has this issue with the power steering, it is too stiff, specially in the morning when cold. gets better when warm but still doesn't feel right, it kind of pulsates when turning. previews owner put a new rack and pinion and I put a new power steering pump and problem is still there.
I'm new at Tundras and I love it, i will appreciate any suggestions.
Thanks.

 

Welcome to the club... what fluid are you using and what was the replacement pump? New or rebuilt?

 

I’m suspecting your lower steering shaft U-joint is binding up. It is located just above the steering rack, and if you soak it down with penetrating lube you should notice an improvement. This is not a fix in itself though, and the lower shaft with U-joint must be replaced for lasting / safe results.

 

Ohh... Good thought...

 

I think I may oil and grease this u-joint tomorrow after a few cups of coffee just because. Snap a few pics and report the findings.

 

While not rampant, this is a common-enough issue with 2nd gen Tacomas.

Now, the u-joint is sealed and not serviceable, but I’d still coat the outside if mine with Fluid Film every fall to ward off the evil...




...salt and water.

As I said before, if the u-joint has gotten to the point of binding, it should be replaced as the seals have failed, and the cross, needles, and cups of the u-joint are corroded. No spray lube will change that, even if it feels better for the short term.

But, if your u-joint is still working as Momma Toyota intended, then some sort of lube on the outside might just help it stay that way.

 

thank you all, i'm impressed by your help, i will work on that lower U Joint and i will keep you posted.

 

Thank you all, took me a couple of days to find the U joint but after proper lubrication, problem was solved before driving out of the driveway.

 

hmmmmm... I'm gonna have to inspect this on mine.

 

Was just catching up on this thread and thought about your problem and was gonna link it, but you're already there, G.
Hope it does the trick!

 

Never hurts to lube your stuff. Shoulda thought about this one while I had the grease out today.

 

That's right before the firewall? Didn't realize it could be greased

 

This proves you're never too old to learn something new..now if I can remember it...

 

I was going to do it last week and forgot.


Think I was more into enjoying the Dark Roast Coffee that day.

 

Is there a grease zerk on the thing?

 

I gotta feeling not, but should.

 

The vision of jacking the front of the truck up and slathering grease on that u-joint came to me last night. A couple shots of 3in1 Oil for the Joint Primer and MolyB as the Grease Wad. Turn wheels. Slather. Repeat until full lube.

 

Hello.. landphil.. I have the same year 2002 Tundra and the only U-joint on the steering shaft is right at the firewall. (this might be what you meant when you said right above the rack) There is a coupler called the rag coupler right above the rack but it is in line with the steering shaft and no angle change is needed at that point. I do have one question.. how do you get that lower shaft out?. I understand how to remove the rag coupler and assume the shaft comes out up and under the steering wheel. Banging on the upper steering shaft to remove lower makes me nervous. And you are right .. Lubrication of the u-joint is only a indication you found the problem.
corrections welcome.
dm

 

Hmm, that proves that my memory of what a 1st gen looks like from underneath is a wee bit foggy. It’s been a while, but . My bad! I was thinking of how my 2nd gen Tacoma was, and (I think, not even sure now) my 2nd gen Tundra, and thinking the 1st gen Tundras were the same.

I haven’t changed a steering shaft in any gen. Tundra myself, but maybe another member like @empty_lord can chime in with the right knowledge.

 

Youve got stiff steering? Check all the suspension. I’ve never seen a 1st gen shaft cause this issue. There’s no u joint on the external shaft on the 1st gens, the joint is on the interior column on these

 

Well here is what I know. 160k Stiff and heavy to steer at slow speed. Not real noticeable on the highway. No pulling or wobbles. No noise. Two pumps did not help. About ready to order a rack when saw a post about binding steering shafts. Yes these were on vehicles with exposed u-joints. However.. I gave my "in the cab" joint a heavy dose of PB blaster and it changed the truck. No doubt it was binding. Smooth as can be now. I will have a replacement ready when the binding returns. (that dust seal was shot also which would let the elements into the joint in question.) I know that pen. oil is temp. Any suggestions of a spray product that would lubricate a non greaseable u-joint and last?
Also so.. as said it could still be partially related to suspension.

 

Man I’m chomping at the bit to get to this u-joint lube job. Maybe get to it Friday if my ass of a boss gives me a day off.

No problems currently other than when cold (like always) the steering is a little stiff(er) before warm up.

 

Lubed those u-joints with MolyB Grease on a toothbrush. I put a few drops of 3in1 Oil on first.

The u-joints looked fine and actually still had plenty of grease in and around them as best as could be seen. I turned the steering wheel whilst inspecting for any play in them and nothing. Looked good in there. Tightened up the 10mm bolts a hair. The larger 14mm bolt was rock solid.

Conclusion: No improvement. Felt same as before which has been a perfectly fine steering wheel for years. 45 minute job tops.

No after pics of the greasings, but I loaded it up.

 

Hand Model..quote "Conclusion: No improvement. Felt same as before which has been a perfectly fine steering wheel for years. 45 minute job tops." If you were not having problems not sure what improvement you were expecting

 

Good point. I did it as a case study. I wasn’t expecting any improvement but did it anyway to see if it did any improvement. At worst I wasted 45 minutes and about 1oz of U-joint MolyB grease. At best, I added some Silglyde down the Steering Donut for lube and sound deadening purposes. Win win and nothing got Mangled.

 

Mine looks like the pic in post #9 with the boot over the joint. Did you remove the boot when you did yours and if so, does it just slide up?

 

Yes remove the boot. Held on by four (I think) small bolts . (pull carpet and insulation back) It is a split arrangment and you are removing the rear.. cover.... Review the pics provided by "hand model " in post 25

 

Hand models Post 24 shows the cover and bolts