Toyota Sequoia 2006 - stiff steering

Hello,

This is my first time posting in this forum, I have visited it many times, looking for information and wanted to thank you all for all you share in here!

I wanted to post today because I'm having steering issues with my Sequoia, I have made a list of symptoms to target the issue more correctly, I don't know if it's the pump or the steering rack, or something else that is bad.

I have looked through the forum but no symptoms seems to exactly match the issues I'm having.

Here is the list of the symptoms, and what I've made so far trying to resolve the issue :

Symptoms:

• Hard spot in the steering, especially when cornering after having the wheels in the “straight ahead” position.
• The problem becomes much more present when temperatures drop (35° F lately), after starting up I have a sensation of a completely blocked steering wheel, on which I have to apply strong pressure in order to unblock it and have a feeling of “assisted” steering again.
• Once the wheels are unblocked, some hard spots persist and fade as the car warms up, without ever completely disappearing.
• When I “unlock” the steering, I feel vibrations in the floorboards at my feet.
• The steering wheel doesn't return to the straight-ahead position properly when driving, as it has only recently been aligned.
• When the wheels are up, I can turn the steering easily by hand (turning the wheels manually, in ACC position, engine off), but I feel a hard spot when bringing the wheels back to the “right” position, especially when turning the wheels from left to right
• Lateral play in the steering rack, when the 2 wheels are lifted, can't define whether the play comes from the ball joints or from inside the steering rack
• U-joints have been lubricated, without hammering (with WD-40 and lithium grease)
• The steering rack bushings are new, as are the lower (OEM) and upper ball joints, as well as the shock absorbers and control arm.
• The car has no visible rust
• Slight seepage on the steering pump return hose, but no air in the system, the fluid level doesn't need to be redone either (no big leaks, never had to add fluid in 5000 miles).
• The steering fluid was flushed with ATF Dextron VI fluid, with no visible improvement, however the fluid jar was not cleaned as it showed no “big” signs of dirt (the fluid was worn but not completely disgusting)

Sorry for the long post, but I thought that flagging everything would make it easier to look for an issue.

If you've read it so far, thanks, and I would appreciate any tips to resolve the issue.

Regards,
Clément

 

Update :
- I have changed the low ball joint with OEM, and the upper right ball joint as it was the only thing left to do with the front end.
My old (but new Sankei 555) LBJ had some binding, but it did not resolve the issue.

I'm hearing clonks inside the steering rack when I move the wheels (while the front is lifted) from 3 to 9.

I think that the steering rack is starting to bind INSIDE, and that I'll have to change it.

I can't go OEM on this part, it is way too pricy, would anyone recommend a good brand for a complete steering rack?

Thanks

 

Try cheking these u-joints if your vehicle is equipped.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKpalQD-RxU

 

Thanks for your answer, sadly I've already applied penetrant oil, then cleaned and greased everything on these, with no improvement at all...

The shaft seal has also been greased.

 

Update on this:
the colder it gets, the harder it is to "unlock" the steering wheel in order to get power steering assist, once it's unlocked, there is still a binding when the wheels are in the "going straight" position.
Especially on the left side

I'm now 70%+ sure that it's the steering rack failing slowly...

Anybody has experience with aftermarket steering rack?
Or is anyone selling a used 2006 tundra/Sequoia rack?

Thank you

 

New update:

A pick n pull close to my house has listed 3 new sequoia's (2004/2005) I'm probably gonna get a steering rack + pump from them, as well as the reservoir.

But is it the same between 2004 and 2006 since one is the first first gen and the other is the second first gen?

Thank you!