Steering and Braking problems [SOLVED]

[Ozzy]

Update (16th May);
New UJ fitted a week or two ago and the lumpy steering issue is gone... However having some other problems now  (:< >...

Had new front disks and pads done at same time but since then, the car seems unstable at motorway speeds around 60mph+. Car feels like if its in a crosswind and getting steering wheel shake sometimes... Also when I brake at high speeds, car feels unstable and pulls side to side badly.

Garage recommended new rear tyres as mine were close to limit and also had full alignment done but no use. They couldn't find matching Yokohama Sdrives so they fitted some Sailun Atrezzo's which I've never heard off... Sound rubbish to me but sticker rating is good and apparently they are cheapish but really good tyres. I've also tried different tyre pressures but no help either.

Normal driving is spot on, problems only start at motorway speeds... Any ideas what the problem is? 


--------------------------------
Yet another annoying problem :/

Steering pump was failing so replaced it last week. Today after a trip to the supermarket, the steering has gone weird.
Feels lumpy/jerky; All of a sudden it goes super heavy whilst turning, then light, heavy again, etc...

Any idea what the problem is? No P/S light on dash like last time, fluid level is full and can hear the pump buzzing so it's definatly working.
Also is a facelift steering pump heavier than the one in the pre-facelift? Because previous was ridicilously light but new pump feels heavier like most other cars?

[StuC]

Check out the lower UJ, common failures with those exact symptoms.

[m1tch]

+1 on the steering UJ - worth taking the frunk cover off anyway and checking the condition of the brackets etc under there as well.

[Ozzy]

Thanks for the help, it was the UJ as you guys said. Thing looked super rusty and dry.

Tried cleaning it with a wire brush and sprayed the hell out of it with WD40 which has fixed it for now. Hope it lasts for now until I can get it booked and looked at by a garage.

Steering in general still feels different and much heavier with the new steering pump than the previous one weirdly.

[StuC]

Where are you based ossy?

We might be able to recommend somewhere.

[Call the midlife!]

Thanks for the help, it was the UJ as you guys said. Thing looked super rusty and dry.

Tried cleaning it with a wire brush and sprayed the hell out of it with WD40 which has fixed it for now. Hope it lasts for now until I can get it booked and looked at by a garage.

Steering in general still feels different and much heavier with the new steering pump than the previous one weirdly.

Air in the system?


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[Ozzy]

Near Leeds StuC.

Working next few days so will have to wait until I get some days off. Suspect the upper UJ is probably in a similar state and need replacing also so thinking best to get it checked before ordering a new part.

[Ozzy]

@Call the midlife!
I took the steering pump cap off and turned steering wheel fully side to side 20 times but didnt help so not sure.


Also seen it's only another 20quid for the upper UJ so may get one anyway and have it replaced as well and save myself a headache lol.

[Call the midlife!]

@Call the midlife!
I took the steering pump cap off and turned steering wheel fully side to side 20 times but didnt help so not sure.


Also seen it's only another 20quid for the upper UJ so may get one anyway and have it replaced as well and save myself a headache lol.

Uppers are fairly bomb proof mate, they're inboard so don't suffer from the elements the same way as the lower one. As long as the bulkhead gaiter is in good nick.[emoji38]


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[1979scotte]

Upper UJ no reason to change.
Lower UJ order from TCB board affiliate.
Take to Steve @D1 customs Loughborough.
Long way but worth it.

[dan944]

Agree with above. Changed min in less than an hour with dogs stealing tools.

Upper was in pristine condition.

TCB supply a very good quality part

[Ozzy]

Cool, I'll get one from TCB then and I'll leave the upper UJ as it is.

Thought the cause of the rust may have been due to my car being in storage undriven for several years before I brought it but suprised to see how clean everything else is underneath 

[Ozzy]

Update;
New UJ fitted a week or two ago and the lumpy steering issue is gone... However having some other problems now  (:< >...

Had new front disks and pads done at same time but since then, the car seems unstable at motorway speeds around 60mph+. Car feels like if its in a crosswind and getting steering wheel shake sometimes... Also when I brake at high speeds, car feels unstable and pulls side to side badly.

Garage recommended new rear tyres as mine were close to limit and also had full alignment done but no use. They couldn't find matching Yokohama Sdrives so they fitted some Sailun Atrezzo's which I've never heard off... Sound rubbish but sticker rating is good and apparently they are cheapish but really good tyres. I've also tried different tyre pressures but no help either.

Normal driving is spot on, problems only start at motorway speeds... Any ideas what the problem is? 

[Carolyn]

Check that the all the tyres are on the correct sides of the car. (direction of rotation).  My thought is that the fronts got put back on the wrong sides.

[Ozzy]

Thought about that but tyres are definatly fitted correctly.


Took it down to garage to get car looked over again and told them that it still feels unstable at high speeds and pulls side to side. This time, one of the mechanics has told me;
-There's play in steering rack
-Front passenger side wheel bearing needs doing
-Also, both front droplinks will need replacing soon

Does that sound right and can this be the cause of the problems? Or am I just probably being lied too? Thinking I may need to get a second opinion.
It's odd and annoyed about the fact that when I asked about steering rack before having UJ fitted, they assured me the rack was completely fine several times.

[paulj]

Sounds like time for a second opinion before you spend more money.  You could even try your local Toyota dealer, it's not like you actually have to get the work done by them afterwards

[Carolyn]

Sounds like a case of urine extraction to me.

If I were in your position, I would:

Get a recommendation from some local people for a trustworthy, family run, long established garage and take it there.

Don't tell them what you've been told,  Just tell them about the steering problem and it not being properly fixed.

If they can't do a full laser alignment, they'll know a good service who can.

[wotugonado]

The motorway instability crosswind bit, is reminiscent of not having the aero fins on,  have they knocked them off the underneath off, say getting it on a ramp 

Once the issue is sorted You could try weighting the front down by putting extra weight in the frunk.
I keep my toolkit and socket set in mine and I find it helps with the light front end.

[frogger]

'Sailun' or any budget tyre is not a replacement for a good branded tyre like your Yoko's.  Having a matched set is certainly noticeable in the handling.

Other than that - check your tyre pressures before doing anything else ... just in case it's that simple!

[Ozzy]

Hmm, I'll get a second opinion then when I'm next off from work to be on safe side. So close to having everything perfect on the car and something always ends up happening lol

The motorway instability crosswind bit, is reminiscent of not having the aero fins on,  have they knocked them off the underneath off, say getting it on a ramp 

Tbh I saw someone mention something about that on a thread ages ago but couldn't find anything when I searched.

Do you happen to have a picture of them so I can see what they look like?
My car did scrape on a ramp a few months ago but never noticed anything like that on my car. Don't think it ever had them tbh.

'Sailun' or any budget tyre is not a replacement for a good branded tyre like your Yoko's.  Having a matched set is certainly noticeable in the handling.

Other than that - check your tyre pressures before doing anything else ... just in case it's that simple!

True but sorta had too. I've looked endlessy but strangely I can't find anyone who has the same Yoko's in stock. Even looked online but everyone seems to be sold out... Also checked and tried different tyre pressures but didn't help. Definatly need to get a second opinion.

[wotugonado]

I'll take some in a bit and post up for you.


Edit here you go

[Ozzy]

Awesome, thanks!

Never even noticed them on the car before... Had a look and the big middle one is missing. I did scrape on a couple of stupidly massive speed bumps a month or two ago, guessing it got ripped off then.

Any ideas what they're called or where I could get a replacement?

[Call the midlife!]

Awesome, thanks!

Never even noticed them on the car before... Had a look and the big middle one is missing. I did scrape on a couple of stupidly massive speed bumps a month or two ago, guessing it got ripped off then.

Any ideas what they're called or where I could get a replacement?

Are you PFL or FL? I don't think they were fitted to PFL, I don't have one on my X reg, although I think it's also a grey import so could also be that.


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[Ozzy]

Hmm, mine's a prefacelift as well but a 2001, Y reg.

It has the small ones for the wheels, just missing the middle piece. It definatly had one as the screw holes are there.

[Call the midlife!]

Hmm, mine's a prefacelift as well but a 2001, Y reg.

It has the small ones for the wheels, just missing the middle piece. It definatly had one as the screw holes are there.

Same here as far as the holes go but possibly depends on the outlet at the time?


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