Stats: 89 4runner 22RE Manual Transmission (IFS).
Problem: Steering is binding.

I've searched the forums and pretty much everything related to the steering gear box is just asking about things leaking...this is not my problem. I got in a small wreck the other day because my steering bound up on me. I hit one of my wheels and I feel like I made matters worse. I can turn my steering wheel with ease for the majority of the travel but somewhere in the middle I hit a spot where the steering binds up. I hear my power steering kick in to push through it and I just have to turn really hard and it twists past that spot and becomes easy again.

I have checked all my steering linkage and everything looks okay (pitman arms, tie rods, etc.). The intermediate shaft to the steering wheel is straight and the u-joints have no play in them.

What are the chances that I have screwed some of the gears on the inside of the IFS steering gear box? Anyone else have this problem?

THANKS!

 

u-joints? Maybe you were checking the wrong end? ....

Okay, I'm guessing you meant ball joints. Or tie-rod ends. Or something other than universal joints.

Put the truck on jack stands. Even with power steering (engine off), you should be able to gently push the steering back and forth from the wheels, or underneath. Once you find the bad spot you'll know where to look.

With the truck on jack stands (with the wheels dangling), the suspension is unloaded and you might not get the binding you would with the wheels on the ground. So get a stack of 2x10 scraps, and lower the truck so the bottom of the control arms are sitting on the boards. This will load the suspension and give you relevant geometry.

 

If you don`t have a pitman arm puller Buy or borrow one.

Simple matter to pop the arm off making match marks first.

Then see if the steering box still binds that should give you an answer.

When did this first start to happen??

What size tires do you run??

I never heard of this not saying it can`t happen.

Running the steering box dry ??

A hit to the left wheel but I think the steering linkage would bend first but who can say.

 

Scope, I was talking about the universal joint on the intermediate shaft that connect the steering wheel to the gear box.

I'll get the truck up on jacks this Saturday and rent a pitman puller to see if it still binds with everything off.

The truck hadn't ever done it until right before the wreck. I'm running 33x12.5's. I did notice the power steering fluid was a little low but not empty. I need to replace the rubber hose on it because it had been leaking for a while.

 

I didnt see much in the Kansas City yards when I was there but I also dont know all of the yards there as well. I do know where a nice yard is at in Springfield if you are needing parts. When did you go to 33s? I just seen that in your signature link. Just curious if that may have some part in it with your lift and such.

 

Hey Terry! You're right, the KC yards are slim pickin' these days. I found a guy here in town who was selling a used steering gear box. I'm going to get the truck up on jacks and make sure that is actually what is broke. I may find that it is just the steering linkage that is out of whack.

I went to the 33's in the fall so they have been on for a while. I just have a 2" body lift, though...no suspension.

 

If you ran the steering so low on fluid I think it would have issues through the whole range of movement.

Just where is the tight spot??

Wheels straight ahead turned to the left to the right??

You say center position

Could this be a power Steering Pump problem rather then mechanical??

I would look for something in the linkage at that position

Did anything happen when this started Hit a huge Pot Hole .

Hit a bad railroad track seems there are hundreds out there some places

Playing Dukes of Hazard jumping over cars??

 

Well I very well could have hit a pot hole. After I got it in the air and got the skid plate off, I found my relay rod (center rod, drag link, whatever) was bent. I don't know if that happened pre-wreck or post. I'll have to keep my eye on the power steering.

Either way I replaced all the tie rods and the relay rod. Got her aligned and now it's driving straight! It doesn't have that rough spot anymore so I guess that had to be it!

Thanks for the help!!!