difficult steering
 

Hey all, I'm new to this forum, and I need some :help: . I have an 87 Runner that's been SAS'd and I'm running 35" MT's and an Aussie locker up front. Last time I went out wheeling I managed to blow both birfs at the same time (no idea how it was in 12-15" of snow and was not beating on it..Cheap A$$ E-bay specials). Anyways, long story short, I found a good deal on some very low mileage stock inners and birfs on craigslist. After installing them (and yes..they are installed correctly) when I lock in the hubs the steering is extremely hard and is obviously binding up on something. It works fine in 2wd just not 4wd. I never had this problem until I installed the new axles.

I have completely tore apart the housing to include the knuckles to make sure there are no more chunks of metal from the old fragged birfs in there binding it up and there was nothing. I have the 3rd out now and found that the pinion depth is so far out of whack that the pinion gear was leaving tooth marks on the carrier. I put in a solid pinion spacer today and reset the gears, but still don't believe that that would have anything to do with the steering problem. I attached a pic of the carrier for s and giggles.

The Aussie locker is stil in great condition and works fine going forward but I don't know if somehow it could not be unlocking when I turn. like I said it looks fine and nothing on it is worn our broken.

Any Ideas? I need to get this thing working properly ASAP. Please help. Thanks

to be honest... it may just be normal. with a locked up front rig, i'd fathom a guess you're locked up in the back as well. now imagine that you've got four tires all locked together, add in a slight steering correction and you'll have the difficult steering you're seeing. its just the fact that you're trying to power four wheels that want to move at different speeds. mine is a pain to steer locked front and rear, as is every other yota rig ive driven in 4wd locked all around.

are you sure the locked 4wd worked before this wheelin trip? reason why i ask, you may have had one broke birf, easing the load on the steering, thus not exhibiting the symptoms....

That is completely normal for a lunchbox locker in the front.

You need to have your diff rebuilt, but other than that, nothing will change.

I'd bet you will grenade those new birfs pretty quick too. Might want to start saving pennies for longfields.

Try getting a twinstick, and installing it into your transfer case. It won't help much, but you can at least shift into 2wd when you need to steer, and still be in low range. Should help when on the normal trail, but on obstacles, it'll still be a pain. The other option is either hydro assist, if the truck see's highway, or full hydro if it gets trailered.

Good luck.

I ran a welded front end for 1 season. Steering Sucked B@LLS!!!! But i never blew any birfs or anything, where as before with open front i blew my birfs, hub gear, shearing driveshafts in half. I always had traction so no need for tire spin. + my carrier has the same grooves ground into it as yours. The locker really take it toll on old bearings.