Ok I finally got around to replacing the intermediate steering shaft today. What a pain in the a$$. Bottom bolt came out really quick. Top bolt was so rusted I ended up rounding the bolt. So after many runs to the parts store to try and come up with a plan. I decided to just drill the bolt out since I was replacing the entire shaft. So what should have been a 1 hour job turned into a pissing the GF off 6 hour job. So glad I do not have to replace the rack. I did not have time to investigate the issue with the old shaft. I will look at the shaft in the morning to determine what part has failed.

 

I had the front end jacked up today and decided to spray some penetrating oil on the U joints on my steering shaft. Turns like nothing now

Anyone know how to prevent our steering shafts from getting rusty and hard to turn? A coat of WD-40 every month?

 

Maybe hit it with some PB blaster first to just remove all the rust, but after that,White lithium grease comes in a spray can and will stay there much longer.

If you really wanna try something different Maybe try CLP break-free. its actually a gun lube but it works wonders on removing funk and lubricating. I use it on my motorcycle cables at the beginning of every season.

 

Yeah, my steering started acting up after my offroading expidition. The steering shaft got full of mud so I pressure washed it and added some all purpose grease. That wasnt a fix though, as it just collected dirt and the steering got firm again. I may have to try some spray WL grease though.

 

PB Blaster and bolt grabit has saved me many times. I'm glad to hear you got your truck fixed and I feel your pain on the 6hr labor.

 

I have been soaking the bolts for 4 days, and also used the bolt grabit. What went wrong the one bolt was the fact that I used a multi star socket instead of my direct fit impact 13mm socket since I could not find it at the time. I even tried to heat the bolt up but not much room under the brake booster.

I will have a right up on this soon. But in the mean time anyone who is doing this, you do not need to mark the old steering shaft location position it can only be installed one way due to the fact that the flange bolts sit into notches on the rack shaft, and upper steering shaft.