Steering Column U-Joints

I need to lube the universal joint(s) on my steering column. Can anyone confirm if there's just one, or two u-joints and if they're accessible from underneath without too much difficulty?

 

Excellent. Thanks, DK.

 

I've had both apart. It is unlikely that the top one needs lube. The lower one is a different story. It is not protected in any way and the needle bearing caps are crummy in that they don't seal very well. The lower is contaminated by road slush and car wash water so the needles in the u-joint rust. If you want to lube it because you are getting binding in the steering, don't do it as it will not last long and could suddenly seize. Replace the entire lower intermediate shaft instead.

 

Are there replacement u joints to be had?

 

A few have tried to source them but no success. Another problem is that they are staked in the yokes, not held in like most drive shaft u-joints.

 

I assume this is a pretty common issue. A fiend of mine has it greased every oil change but not sure if there is actually a grease zerk on it or do you just hit it with a spray?

Mine was replaced by the PO but I want to keep it free and loose.

 

Ujoints are nonreplaceable and, as noted above, are staked in place. Also, they are preloaded when assembled in the yokes. Without this preload, there would be a loose feeling in the steering. I used to work for Timken bearing and made steering shafts, albeit, for domestic trucks (F150, Ram, Jeep).

Edited for clarity

 

He must have meant the whole shaft was replaced then. To the tune of about $500 he said so not cheap.

 

I replace mine a month or so ago. Cost under 200 and wow, what a difference it made.

 

Thanks for pointing this out. Too bad the FSM does not address that a little preload would help with the clunk and looseness. This was one of the three things another guy and I focused on to address the clunk and looseness.

For others, there are no grease zerks on the ujoint of the lower shaft. Don't mess with fire on this one, replace the shaft. Additionally, after replacing the lower intermediate shaft I fabricated a rubber bellows boot to slip over the joint and reduce the direct splash onto the thing.

 

What did you make this from? I imagine a CV boot from something small like an ATV would work or??

 

I've had that loose feeling since the truck was brand new... Was told by Toyota "that's just how they're built".

Feels like three GM trucks I've had... All with over 150k on them...

 

Wow, it shouldn't be that loose.

 

Exactly. Its been a few years but seems like I remember having something that was stretchy would be good so I ordered two of these Rakboots out of OZ and just modified with scissors. http://www.stretchcvboot.com/rakboot/
Shipping is a real killer but I got two because I had two Tacos at the time and the total cost didn't seem so bad. Honestly I did not spend much time at all looking around but think there would be something else that could be found locally for a whole lot less. Ford had a TSB for theirs that used a plastic snap cover. Chase that one maybe?? I was not trying to make mine water tight just reduce the amount of direct splash it receives. Be creative.

 

How about a cut piece of a bicycle tire inner tube and clamps??

 

Over the past few weeks, me steering wheel has been acting up. Stiffening up and then getting looser seemingly randomly. I was worried that one of the following problems needed to be addressed:

1. power steering pump was failing and needed to be replaced.
2. I desperately needed an alignment
3. Steering column issue/ replacement needed.

I consulted my mechanic, who is a long-time family friend, and expressed my concerns. He said that he didn't even need to see my truck, and diagnosed the problem as frozen/stuck steering column u-joints. He had me pick up a bottle of penetrating oil (WD40 would work as well) and soak the visible u-joint under the truck while simultaneously having someone else move the wheel from side to side for a couple of minutes. So, I followed his instructions and to my relief the steering returned to normal. After driving it around and running some errands, it seems to be fixed. I'll report back in a week or so if anything else changes.

 

I know this was a while ago, but how did this work out for you? Was it a long term solution or did you end up having to replace steering column parts? Having issues similar to what you described and wondering what the best fix is

 

You actually can replace it with a greasable one, I’ve done it on my truck, you have to cut the cross out and push the u joint caps inward and then file down the stakes. The replacement is from allballs

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/2nd-gen-lower-steering-shaft-rebuild-diy.543377/

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/2nd-gen-lower-steering-shaft-rebuild-diy.543377/

Guys check out this DIY i did for this problem

 

That was a great write up! I’m somewhat handy, but by no means a mechanic. I’m thinking I might have my mechanic replace with new, but I’ll keep the old one to play around with for a rebuild as a spare. Friggin rust man