Intermittent steering difficulty

My 2002 Limited has been giving me some weird steering issues lately. I'll turn the wheel (left or right) and I'll hit a random spot where it is like the power steering cut out - the wheel gets very difficult to turn compared to normal. I can continue to turn the wheel with effort to get through the sticking point, or I can back off a bit and then continue my turn. Either way, the steering returns to normal for a time.

I don't hear any noises when this happens.

I replaced all the front ball joints about 6 months ago, before this issue started happening.
About a week ago I flushed the power steering fluid and I thought that fixed the issue for a day or two, but it was back soon after.

Suggestions?

 

Bleed the power steering system if you haven't. You might have an air pocket.

 

One thing to potentially look at is the steering shaft U-joint (assuming tundras have them). Not saying it is this, but the same issue happened to me on my f150 and it was the u-joint. Essentially the joint wears out and becomes becomes difficult to flip over, but once the joint flips then it becomes easy to turn again until the joint has to flip over again. Take it for what it’s worth

looks like part #4529034010.

 

It’s most likely the steering shaft u joint. That’s what mine was. There’s this plastic insert in there that binds. Just grease it.

 

Welp, I made a mess.

I tried lubing the joint. Made the problem worse. As I tried to figure out why, the u joint started breaking apart. So, I'm prioritizing a replacement. I'll have to re-evaluate the issue after that work is done.

 

Hmmn, maybe I should replace mine. It looks like its held together by rust.

 

I first used wd-40 and that worked for 100 miles or so. Then used marine grease on mine (hoping it’d stick and work better) and it made it worse as well. Ended up replacing it and all was well. Once a u-joint goes that’s pretty much the end for it. Better off just replacing as you’re doing

 

At least the good news is, you know what the problem was.