Well folks, wierdest thing happened, could've killed me, while turning into a parking spot at work, having just drove to lunch and back, i heard a little "pop" from the front end, i thought "what was that." Then while I repositioned the truck in the spot another pop and the steering went limp, no response. Found the center link to the steering system broke clean at the pitman arm. Called my Toyota parts boys, got one on order, towed my truck to my hanger at the airport where tools are, replaced it the next day. Folks my truck is a '97' this link should not have broken, I have seen 200K trucks with the original links. It could have killed me and others, the dealers i talked to have never sold this part ever, turns out to be a defect in the link, the date on the link proves it was the original. Be careful, I was very lucky, i don't off road my truck. I have a call into the Toyota rep he and i are going to have a talk. How many of you out there have had to replace this. p/n45451-34010, i was lucky the Cincinatti warehouse had 4 in stock.
William Gabay 97 T100 xcab 4x4 sc.