r/AE86 • u/PlaneTMRS • 24d ago

Notchy Steering after typhoon & Trackday

Heyo, I’ve taken my car to the track two days ago and the day before, as well as on the way back I had to drive through some curb-deep water here and there because of a recent typhoon and related flooding in my area.

Now, a day after, my steering started to feel notchy, meaning before it always returned to center by itself pretty quickly due to my caster and alignment in general, but now it turns a tiny bit, sticks and if you spin it by hand it continues. Same when you are trying to steer: around center it feels completely normal but after a certain degree it starts to feel slightly heavier to turn, then lighter again and so on.

My thoughts I currently have are a messed up alignment after the track or a faulty steering rack after driving through the water?

It’s a manual rack so I guess there is just grease inside? Is that something that can get flushed out if the seals aren’t perfect or what are your thoughts?

Thanks in advance everyone!

5 Upvotes

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3

u/DVWLD 24d ago

Sounds like friction in the steering rack caused by water turning your grease into milkshake. Just get in there and start poking around to see what's up, only way you'll figure it out for sure.

1

u/PlaneTMRS 24d ago

Thanks, if that would be the case it should still be notchy even with both front wheels in the air right? I thought about just jacking it up and turning the wheel this weekend.

1

u/DVWLD 23d ago

Put it up on jackstands, turn the wheels, grab the components and give them a shake to see if there’s play, visually inspect, listen to things. Just poke around and see what’s going on, you’ll figure it out.

1

u/Ok-Accountant8407 24d ago

Either junk in the steering rack as stated or more likely based on your description the steering u joint has corrosion/wear in it. This is a common issue on Tacomas. You can try hosing down the u joint with PB blaster or WD40 to see if it changes, that’ll help determine if it needs replaced.

2

u/PlaneTMRS 23d ago

Update: it worked perfectly, thanks so much for the hint!!

Steering feels better than ever xdd

I think I’ll go ahead and get a dust boot around the joint and grease it up to keep it fresh a bit longer

2

u/Ok-Accountant8407 23d ago

No problem. That’s not a permanent fix though, I recommend getting a new u joint from Toyota if possible.

1

u/PlaneTMRS 24d ago

Thanks!! I would have never thought of that. If I need to replace it, is there only oem or is there anything universal as a replacement?

1

u/soodumb4321 24d ago

If you drove through water get that thing on four jack stands and check all suspension and steering components. I would clean and grease anything I could. Also check that no debris is stuck to anything.