bluemiata90
Jedi Trainee
Offline
I just recently purchased a TR4A that had been sitting for some time. After doing all the usual prestart draining and lubrication, I got it started and running. I drove it around the neighborhood checking the brakes, temp., oil pressure, etc. Everything seemed fine, except the steering was a little tight and sometimes jerky. I checked the front end and found that the ball joints and tie rod ends could use replacement, but not really bad, I replaced then anyways. I added oil to the rack and pinion and it needed it. After all the new stuff, the steering seemed better, but not great. I decided to pull the steering wheel off and see if something was wrong inside the housing. With very little effort, the steering wheel with the steering column come off in my hands. It seems that even though the steering couplings looked good, both were so badly dry rotted that they were not even attached to the steering column. All the bolts and nuts were there and attached, but the rubber had just rotted away around them. I'm glad I didn't go for any long expressway drive to try and test drive it. Word of caution, Check the steering couplings if your TR4A has been sitting or if the steering seems jerky. Anyways, I replaced the couplings with new ones and the steering seems much better. At least I feel save to take it on the road.
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