The Guido

Just picked up an 85' 4runner. Have a little issue though, and not sure what the problem is.

85' 4Runner
Hy-Steer
5.29's frt/Rr
Stock locking hubs

When I engage 4wd, the truck does not want to steer left. It its extremely difficult to turn and reaches a point close to center where it just wont turn anymore. However, when 4wd is disengaged, it steers fine both ways.

Thanks in advance

just call me smithy

is there a locker in the solid axle?, or it could be welded?

The Guido

No locker. Its easy to steer right though, just not left. Not sure if its welded. Even if it was, I dont think it should only turn one way. BTW...Im really trying to turn it...Im nationally ranked in armwrestling and it wont budge LOL.

camo31_10.50

does it pull to one side or the other while going down the road??

have you crawled under the front of the truck an had a look see?

The Guido

It pulls to the left, but I figured its because the lt frnt tire is low due to a bend beadlock. The only thing visible underneath is leaky knuckles and hubs.

tried4x2signN

I'd say it's possibly a blown Birfield... But air up the tires equally 1st and take it for a spin...

And I wouldn't be doing this on pavement if I was you.


You ever seen a "wheelstander" at the drag strip? You know they have to measure the tires before they go so it will track straight?

See where I'm going with this?

tried4x2signN

Put the TC in 2H. Then take turns locking one hub at a time and turning the front shaft by hand.


Both hubs locked and the shaft shouldn't turn.

The Guido

I was thinking birfield as well. I will air up the tire today and head to some dirt.

tried4x2signN

Be real ginger with this... You don't wanna break something maybe repacking with greasing will fix.

If your swipe seals are leaking, I'd say you have Birfield Soup...

The axle seals have degraded and let oil into the knuckle cavities where only grease is supposed to be...

Oil mixes with grease = Lower viscosity protecting the joints... Seals leak.

Mine got a little crunchy but I didn't have any steering problems.

Grab an FSM, so you can see how to tear a birfield apart, a knuckle rebuild kit from Marlin, some grease... and go to town...


You can do one at a time so there's not a ton of down time...

You wanna tear everything down, clean it, and re pack the bearings. Trunnions, spindles (wheel bearings) and all...

Also nows A GREAT time to upgrade to vented rotors if you don't have them...

Just FJ60 rotors and IFS calipers... Of the calipers there are two; V6's have two large pistons and 4cyls up to a certain year have one small and one large...

TACOMA'S WILL NOT WORK.

If you do the 4's you prolly won't have to change your brake master cylinder... No comment if you do the V6's...

But just watch out... 4Runner and LC masters on Marlin and AllPro's site DO NOT have residual vales... If you're retaining rear drum brakes, you need 10 in the rear, and discs usually have 2lbs.

I've had to order a freaking 1975 FJ40 1" bore master from California figuring all this junk out...

Trying to save you from it...

The Guido

Thanks man...I really appreciate the info/heads up.

85TurboRunner

never seen an 85' 4runner. got any pics? that thing must be huge.