Steering problem – UNIVERSAL JOINT
My power steering pump is working fine, as I'm driving minor steering correction are fine. But turn the wheel more than 1 hand width either way the steering becomes very stiff.
So I think the UJ or universal joint for the steering needs replacing.
Anyone have one for sale??? , or know where I can get one.
I have failed to source a secondhand one here in Ireland, and have called a lot of scrap dealers in the UK without success.
Any help with this is much appreciated.
l viewtopic.php?f=47&t=32611 (http://www.mr2roc.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=47&t=32611) l
Details of how to install and where for source one s:) :) s:)
You may want to read this too.
l viewtopic.php?f=11&t=37502 (http://www.mr2roc.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=37502) l
ok, this really helps.
Just sprayed it with wd40 to keep me going for a few days.
Immediate difference s:) :) s:)
Just one thing I want to clarify----
"If I want to replace the joint, then I need to replace the whole shaft as the joint is attached to it." ????
Would I be correct in saying that.
Thanks again for the help lads, this website is a lifesaver s:) :) s:)
Yes and no! The lower joint is part of the shaft but the shaft is in two parts. So its the lower part that you need.
If a clean and re-grease is making a difference then that might be enough. I had your symptoms 2 years ago. Never since and no hint of problem at MOT. Its the cheaper and easier option and - even if its not the ultimate solution - it could buy you much more time.
I had a similar problem on my '2 and managed to buy the whole shaft, both top and bottom, off 'the auction site' (secondhand but in fairly good condition) for £15 so it's worth shopping around. Sorted my steering problems out and only took about 10 minutes to fit.
You could also go to "Commercial Sales" and send a PM to D!ck2ski,
i know he had some of these..
Quote from: "Chris H"You could also go to "Commercial Sales" and send a PM to D!ck2ski
Unfortunately he'll be unable to respond. Suspension of his user account is ongoing.
No biggie though - I guess there's little point at this stage shopping for a part if a part isn't required.
TBH you'll probably get a better deal from the e of bay
I have a U/J. It owes me £75.00 and it's in A1 condition. I'm not looking to sell it as I buy and sell these cars fairly regularly so it's a spare that I know I'll use at some point, but if it's the difference between you having your car on the road or not then I'd gladly sell it to you.
Quote from: "Wabbitkilla"TBH you'll probably get a better deal from the e of bay
When I was looking for one for mine they never came up.
I did that part finder thing and paid about £60 +p&p.
Interesting topic this, when I turned the car around on the drive the other week I noticed that the steering was a bit heavy. After all the hacking around I have done to my wiring to fit the standalone I assumed I had disabled the power steering accidentally. That may well be the case but looking at the joint it appears to have seen better days so will swap it anyway. Better to be safe and all that.
Quote from: "grsymons"...the joint appears to have seen better days so will swap it anyway.
If you're planning to do it yourself, it might be worth taking it off to check first (it's pretty easy) - it's VERY obvious whether the U/J is the issue or not once you've got it in your hands.
Yeah, I have added it to my to do list, may have a look at it next week.
I was wondering around a Kit car show today, and was reminded that steering UJ's are readily available for the Kit market.
It made me wonder just how specific the MR2 parts are and whether there is scope for removing a worn UJ and fitting a new one.
Not having a worn one to look and and compare its difficult to answer, but it cant be that difficult, and may save some a few pennies.
If anyone has a dead one and would like to post it to me I will do the homework.
Quote from: "Steve Green"I was wondering around a Kit car show today, and was reminded that steering UJ's are readily available for the Kit market.
It made me wonder just how specific the MR2 parts are and whether there is scope for removing a worn UJ and fitting a new one.
Not having a worn one to look and and compare its difficult to answer, but it cant be that difficult, and may save some a few pennies.
If anyone has a dead one and would like to post it to me I will do the homework.
Tried it Steve
If you manage to get a [strike:k9rzw980]knack[/strike:k9rzw980]......old unit from someone you will see what I mean, they are a mass produced units and not intended for bearing re-refurbishment, the yokes are so thinly constructed I wouldn't touch one with a barge pole where anyone had replaced the U/J s:wink: :wink: s:wink:
got a new joint to fit to mine soon, just waiting to get a chance to swap it.
Has anyone had one of these fail? is it something I should worry about (i.e not drive my car) until I can get it replaced?
Quote from: "69fb"got a new joint to fit to mine soon, just waiting to get a chance to swap it.
Has anyone had one of these fail? is it something I should worry about (i.e not drive my car) until I can get it replaced?
It would be difficult for anyone to comment on whether your steering joint could fail without physically seeing it, even then I can't see someone passing it as safe to drive with 100% certainty. You could check yourself and see that it doesn't have excessive play or obvious signs of imminent failure then go from there.
I am going to replace it anyway as I got a new one, and decided not to use the car in case
All I wanted to know is if this is a common thing, have many others actually failed?
Would expect toyota would have to recall this model if its that bog of an issue (they recently recalled my parents 2001 corolla for a passenger airbag fault)
It is becoming a common failure, though I've not heard of any outright failures.
The car is getting old, they're reaching high mileages and it's and exposed moving part, Toyota can safely argue regular maintenance would avoid it failing. After all some of us are running with original joints at over 100k miles (touch wood), so there is an element of pot luck too.
Airbags you can argue are a one use item with no moving parts so the betting is it was faulty when installed.
Remember peeps that cars wear out with use, it's hardly a manufacturing fault if a part wears out.
cheers, see what your saying and I agree.
Have got the car booked in to get this swapped on Saturday as I don't really fancy messing about with steering myself. I swapped the whole column over on my mk2 - but that was more enclosed so they don't rust and all the fixings still looked new.
Was a strange one with the corolla, its a W reg and I was quite shocked as figured anything that old would be well beyond eligibility for a recall
Hi, can I ask where you got your new one from, I think mine may have had it as well but can't seem to see any for sale. Cheers
Mine is the same, its been soaked with wd40 a few times in the 7 weeks ive owned the car with only slight improvement. Think I will have to bite the bullet and have it replaced
Bought mine from a breaker on eBay who also uses this board I believe, andy-n20.
Part is used but looks and feels fine and less than 1/4 the price what Mr T want
I've sent a few people some messages asking for a decent one so hopefully should be able to sort one out. Oddly though I filled the car up with a full tank of petrol and the steering was suddenly far better, has anyone noticed this before? I'm guessing that if it is the joint then the weight on the back end has eased the pressure on the joint??
Do you have the spare wheel in the front?
I am also looking to replace mine shortly as I have play in the steering wheel. Took a look at it last night and found a black nylon type bag surrounding the joint. Is this a standard toyota fitting?
TCB Toyota Parts have these brand new for £111.60 delivered. Think I'm gonna have to do mine for MOT in March but not sure how much garage will charge to change. Any ideas please on how long this should take to swap? Cheers
Quote from: "kopsupporter"TCB Toyota Parts have these brand new for £111.60 delivered. Think I'm gonna have to do mine for MOT in March but not sure how much garage will charge to change. Any ideas please on how long this should take to swap? Cheers
30 minutes to swap s:wink: :wink: s:wink: CLICKY (http://www.mr2roc.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=47&t=32611)
cheers Les, did see that but not sure I'm confident enough in my abilities to perform surgery on the steering!
TCB Performance Parts Limited now supply a new pattern lower steering UJ for the MR2 mk 3 1.8 at a cost of £111-60 delivered (part no. T.C.B. MR2 UJ). See their website or phone 01579 383 879.
Paul Chamberlain
Just ordered will arrive tomorrow. I have been messaging Andy n 20 on ebay (originally for a pump but garage confirmed it is the uj) had taken this afternoon off to nip the 5 miles to Huddersfield but he didn't send me address details s:( :( s:(
Still for 111 quid I figure it's safer to have brand new anyway seen as it's for steering.
Garage have quoted 45 quid for fitting
I'm starting to look into this now. WD-40 is making a difference today but obviously not a long term solution. I'd rather go down the new route as well saying it's for the steering and is an exposed part as a few said.
Could send me a link to one of Andy n 20's listings on ebay please? I couldnt find him there.
Search andys-n20 on ebay mate am on the app so no link but I test searched for you.
m http://m.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_nkw=and ... Xandys-n20 (http://m.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_nkw=andys-n20+&isNewKw=1&_pgn=1&epp=24&itemId=&isRefine=true&mfs=GOCLK&acimp=0&sqp=andys-n20&_trksid=p2056088.m2428.l1313.TR0.TRC0.Xandys-n20) m
There ya go mate
cheers s:) :) s:) got him now
I've had them reconned by a propshaft specialist. At the moment ive got 3 spare ones but using one on my new car.
Had a word with my uncle (mechanic). He's going to try a ffew local companies he usually deals with and see how much a new one is. I want to get a new one in cs of the age of them now.
If it's too dear I'm going to get it dipped and stripped and sorted for the short term till I get this month or so past me
I used WD40 on mine for a week or so till the garage could fit the new one yesterday. Be wary though they showed me my old one and it had ripped it's seals to bits.
This part failing completely whilst driving could kill you
Quote from: "trisckster2445"I used WD40 on mine for a week or so till the garage could fit the new one yesterday. Be wary though they showed me my old one and it had ripped it's seals to bits.
This part failing completely whilst driving could kill you
Gave up trying to tell people that WD40 was only a temporary fix like I said in my "How to" some seem to think it's all ok when steering becomes easier. .... Hey-ho
Quote from: "Les"Quote from: "trisckster2445"I used WD40 on mine for a week or so till the garage could fit the new one yesterday. Be wary though they showed me my old one and it had ripped it's seals to bits.
This part failing completely whilst driving could kill you
Gave up trying to tell people that WD40 was only a temporary fix like I said in my "How to" some seem to think it's all ok when steering becomes easier. .... Hey-ho
You can only say so many times, youve done all you can s:lol: :lol: s:lol:
Also camskill sell them
I spotted a prop shaft place on the way home from work last week when I get my hands on a spare uj I will go and see if they can recon them. If the answer is yes ill get hold of a few secondhand ones and get them recond
I recently replaced my steering uj with a pattern part from TCB parts . Upon removing the old one and manipulating in all planes I came to the conclusion that I had been very lucky...... The uj had dissolved into rust to about a third of its original thickness and all the bearings were completely dry and rough. There is also a rubber shock absorber built in to where the shaft from the column end goes in to the uj part , this had also perished to almost nothing allowing play ... The pattern part looks to be made in China and is in my opinion a very good quality part . It does not have the rubber part that the Oem part has , I don't think this is an issue.
The difference in feel is very noticeable much less constant corrections and nervousness from the steering feels planted again.
I would say the Oem part is probably the worst steering uj I have ever come across . It looks like it was constructed without any thought about exposure to the elements at all.
My car is a 2000 with 100,000 miles on the clock , I would urge you all to consider inspecting this part by removal , WD40 is not an option in my eyes, the consequences of this part failing whilst driving are probably fatal.
I'm going to check mine out now.
If my crossmember wasn't great this could be past its best too.
Had mine replaced recently and the difference is night and day,vast improvement.
Any news on the possible recon place Cabbydave?
Quote from: "Wholedamnthing"Any news on the possible recon place Cabbydave?
I haven't had time to go in as I've been raping the overtime at work, but there is a propshaft place in Holmes Chapel I was going to try. From yours go to the centre of Holmes Chapel take the Jodrell Bank road and its just on the first left hand bend.
Hi also have a universal joint issuer with steering play, does the MR2 share This part with any other models? Has anyone got any up-to-date info on where to source a new/refurbished, or second has one which I can then get refinished?
Ta
I'm interested in a new / refurb one too
Have just received a pattern steering joint (£85+vat) & a genuine bulkhead gaiter (£20.29+vat) from TCB Performance Parts.
A propshaft repairer could probably press apart & renew the bearings & seals on the original as they are likely to have the necessary tooling.
Intend fitting the parts in autumn or a rainy saturday when my mates 4 post lift is free.
Bri e
£85 plus vat isn't too bad ! Thanks
Quote from: "locobuilder brian"Have just received a pattern steering joint (£85+vat) & a genuine bulkhead gaiter (£20.29+vat) from TCB Performance Parts.
A propshaft repairer could probably press apart & renew the bearings & seals on the original as they are likely to have the necessary tooling.
Intend fitting the parts in autumn or a rainy saturday when my mates 4 post lift is free.
Bri e
As I said in my post, replacing the U/J
CLICK HERE (http://www.mr2roc.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=47&t=32611) in this item is not viable due to the flimsy construction, this is made even more of a risky procedure with any corrosion.
As a heavy goods and plant engineer I had access to all necessary tools to try this out, I bought a brand new U/J from George Lodge and son in Hull for just a few pounds and realised after once pressing the old bearing out it would be too dangerous to even attempt fitting a new one. the mass produced steering joint is not meant for refurbishment (it's called built in obsolescence) and for over £100 you have just spent plus any cost in trying to replace the bearing, a few pounds more would have bought a new one.
You don't need to replace this from under the car by the way, just take the front plastics and spare wheel scuttle off (I should have taken the scuttle off when doing the "How to" it would have been much easier).
*EDIT
I might be wrong thinking you have just got the U/J bearing here? if so what do you actually get for the £85? *
Les. Received a new shaft complete with fitted u/j fitted looks good quality. Also bought new push rivets from Clarik ltd 01383 414117 to replace the broken ones when i removed the "frunk " cover, think it requires approx 16/17 to replace all the rivets.
Bri e
Quote from: "locobuilder brian"Les. Received a new shaft complete with fitted u/j fitted looks good quality. Also bought new push rivets from Clarik ltd 01383 414117 to replace the broken ones when i removed the "frunk " cover, think it requires approx 16/17 to replace all the rivets.
Bri e
Ah....That makes more sense Bri
Quote from: "Les"Quote from: "locobuilder brian"Les. Received a new shaft complete with fitted u/j fitted looks good quality. Also bought new push rivets from Clarik ltd 01383 414117 to replace the broken ones when i removed the "frunk " cover, think it requires approx 16/17 to replace all the rivets.
Bri e
Ah....That makes more sense Bri
I recently fitted one of those pattern UJs. They're fine.
The maker has stupidly painted the splines so get a wire brush to it & get rid of as much of the paint as you can.
Even then it can be a tight fit into the upper knuckle to start, so worth removing the upper knuckle too as it's easier to fit with that off.
Thanks guys
Going to get the part from TCB also,
Bloody hell, just fitted my steering joint,
First so rusted and knackered, had a nice pile of rust under the car but it's in!,
Only issue was getting the sodding pinch bold back on! It's still not on but I gave up so will sort later!
Either way steering instantly fixed, it's never been as good,
Also did an oil change while I was in the mood!
Pathetic thing is I can't work out how to get the headlight bulb out of my van!
Looking to get a steering knuckel soon, are there an issues with them other than the paint in the splines?
Quote from: "locobuilder brian"Have just received a pattern steering joint (£85+vat) & a genuine bulkhead gaiter (£20.29+vat) from TCB Performance Parts.
A propshaft repairer could probably press apart & renew the bearings & seals on the original as they are likely to have the necessary tooling.
Intend fitting the parts in autumn or a rainy saturday when my mates 4 post lift is free.
Bri e
Fitted the replacement TCB pattern steering knuckle last w/e. Freeing the old knuckle off the steering rack splines was the hardest part (it had been on for 13 years) Took a few attempts to get perfect steering wheel alignment.
In another thread someone tried to get their steering wheel aligned by moving the steering wheel arround on its splines, adjusting on the bottom knuckle is more precise but its still quite a coarse adjustment & you may find the car will require tracking to achieve absolute perfection.