Hi all, I've got a weird steering problem I hope someone can help me out with.

Here's the deal... I've had to drive my 4Runner to work the last few days, and when I am going slow (2-5mph), I cannot turn the steering wheel to the left. It will turn slightly, but not to it's usual. It feels like something binding in the steering, that is preventing the wheel from turning farther. When I'm going a bit faster, it doesn't seem to cause a problem, as the steering feels normal. The only thing that is not stock in the axle/steering setup is that I've installed the Birfield Eliminator Kit from Randy's R&P, which uses D44 axle stubs.

What I've checked so far:
1. PS fluid is full, and looks clean.
2. Steering linkage under the hood seems normal.
3. No apparent breakage or pieces out of place on the undercarraige.
4. No excessive noise from the PS pump during turning. There is a small amount of PS fluid on the top, and on one hose.
5. No apparent movement from the steering box (suggesting a cracked frame or loose bolts)

I'm stumped! I did go wheeling 2 weeks ago, and it got somewhat muddy, but I can't see where that is causing the problem. Also it's been fairly cold the last few morinings (down in the 20's). Could be the PS fluid is too thick, or something in the steering box is frozen?

Could my PS pump be dying? Is it the steering box? Is there something I'm overlooking?

If anyone has thoughts, I'd appreciate it, 'cause I don't want something to break and then not be able to steer at all.

Thanks in advance...

Erik <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

Well, when going faster, you don't turn the wheel much anyways....Right?...So maybe the problem is there all the time.

Jack it up by the lower control arms so the weight is still on the suspension like if it was sitting with the tires on the ground....then crank it back and forth while you look for problem.....You can steer the front wheels by hand if the ignition is unlocked and it is jacked up just by grabbing a tire on each side and push/pulling it back n forth....the steering wheel should spin and the tire should go full to each stop.

If that don't help, disconnect things and try again till you eliminate all but the offending part.

Well, I drove it again this afternoon, and did not have any problems. Starting to wonder if maybe something in the steering box is freezing. is there some type of ball valve or something which could be getting stuck? Would that even cause the symptoms this thing is having?

Thanks Yodaddy for the input, I'll jack it up on Sunday when I have some time.

Erik <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

It is a solid axle, no lower control arms!!!!

Did you check your trunion bearings when you installed the kit? Made sure the pre-load was correct!!! Wierd, I have never had any kind of steering problems with my kit!!! do like Yodaddy said and set it on jackstands and see if you can dupilcate the problem. If you can dupilcate the problem take the DL loose from the pitman arm and see if it happens, if it does it's the box, if not it is something in the front end. Just checking are your hubs un-locked?

Germ--It happened after you put that thicker 4" lift pack in right? I bet your draglink do-jigger is catching the u-bolt. A fairly good solution is to do the nipple flip.