So, I'm driving home off highway 74 (super mountain twisties) when my steering locks up... I fought the wheel all the way to the Toyota hospital. Found out that the intermediat steering shaft, (the shaft that connects the steering column to the steering rach through a slip joint and a couple U-joints) had filled with mud and rusted out all the bearings in the U-joint. So, I am without my car untill they came get ahold of this part (backordered.)
I had to fight for days to get them to cover this under warranty, as my car is very modified.
If you drive in water or like to splash in mud puddles you need to add this to your list of things to clean when you get home.
I will post pictures later, but it is looking like I will not have my car back for some time. At least I'll same some money on gas in my Enterprise Rent-A-Car toyota corolla...
Black procession through the narrow aisles
Another's gone for all to see
Near the site for one who lost his trials
Sleeping neath the ground is me
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Please do post up pics of the location when you can. I think this fully qualifies as "It Sux!" material.
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'07 Sun Fusion Yellow FJC, 17" Alloy wheels and stock Dunlops, Predator style step/rock rails, roof rack, leather seats and rubber floor mats.
Additions: USMC tire cover, Red "bling" skid plate and FJ Cruiser decals, Scuba Driver mod, Manik black tail-light guards, Galaxy DX959 CB, Acquired some 16" Taco rims - trying to get some "mudder shoes"
Central Florida area - FLCA #207 http://www.flca.org "Here comes the Coyote!"
Black procession through the narrow aisles
Another's gone for all to see
Near the site for one who lost his trials
Sleeping neath the ground is me
*********************************************
I will not only post pictures, I will try to score the failed part so I can disect it and see if I can come up with an improvement.
It is very difficult to prevent damage from corrosion when a vehicle is taken off-road. This is a maintenance situation, IMO, where you pay to play. If you really want to be diligent (and most people are not, including me), you should inspect, tighten and clean all bolts, lube fittings and greasable parts every time you off road. If it flexes, it should be inspected and cleaned. Obviously, this would be very difficult to accomplish with your own staff, but I don't think it is a part problem...
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" I'm not aware of too many things, but I know what I know, if you know what I mean..."
"Before you criticize someone, walk a mile in their shoes... that way when you do criticize them, you're a mile away, and you have their shoes..."
I would agree, if this was an issue more people were having. To date, Toyota has yet to replace one. I have less than 8,000 miles on my vehicle. The joint in question has no servicble parts, no lubrication points, and is, according to toyota, a sealed from the elements bearing.
Quote:
cruiserlarry previously said:
It is very difficult to prevent damage from corrosion when a vehicle is taken off-road. This is a maintenance situation, IMO, where you pay to play. If you really want to be diligent (and most people are not, including me), you should inspect, tighten and clean all bolts, lube fittings and greasable parts every time you off road. If it flexes, it should be inspected and cleaned. Obviously, this would be very difficult to accomplish with your own staff, but I don't think it is a part problem...
Black procession through the narrow aisles
Another's gone for all to see
Near the site for one who lost his trials
Sleeping neath the ground is me
*********************************************
Interesting. They have to give you the failed part if you request it. They should offer it to you anyway to prove that they did indeed replace it. You'd be amazed how often shady shops charge you for a replaced part when they never even touched it.
I'm glad you're posting pics so I can check this part as I like to splash.
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Bustin Caps in the Mix,
Rather be judged by twelve, than carried by six...... Fools get drunk and want to compete, slap boxin' in the street. Suckas get mad, tempers start flarin', cause they got a few ladies starting. -Ice Cube
I would agree, if this was an issue more people were having. To date, Toyota has yet to replace one. I have less than 8,000 miles on my vehicle. The joint in question has no servicble parts, no lubrication points, and is, according to toyota, a sealed from the elements bearing.
Based on that, how could Toyota refuse to warranty it? Looking forward to the pics.
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Sandoo Blue FJ
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Based on that, how could Toyota refuse to warranty it? Looking forward to the pics.
They ended up covering it under warranty. Before doing so, they bounced back and forth on different reasons why it was not covered... Offroad abuse, aftermarket suspension, neglect in service... All of wich I proved to them were not causes of the failure.
Black procession through the narrow aisles
Another's gone for all to see
Near the site for one who lost his trials
Sleeping neath the ground is me
*********************************************
They ended up covering it under warranty. Before doing so, they bounced back and forth on different reasons why it was not covered... Offroad abuse, aftermarket suspension, neglect in service... All of wich I proved to them were not causes of the failure.
JUst in case anyone runs into this, what was your argument?
Steering shaft failure
/ WPOK492 
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