Need intermediate shaft

General discussion about our beloved Tercel 4WD cars
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boisesr5
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My tercel:: 1984

Need intermediate shaft

Post by boisesr5 »

My mechanic says I need to replace the intermediate shaft in the steering column of my 1984 4wd tercel. Of course, the part is not available. Anyone have one in decent shape to sell?
xirdneh
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My tercel:: 87 tercel 4x4 wagon w/reringed engine, 83 tercel 4x4 wagon w/salvaged engine and 4.1 Diff's
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Re: Need intermediate shaft

Post by xirdneh »

if its the U joint that you are talking about
the U joint must be bad
you can fix that using an old U joint for parts
or install new U joint yourself
several on this site have done it. including me
the part number for the U joint is on this site somewhere
its not a toyota part
Love those Tercell 4x4 wagons but they sure suffer from road noise.
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Petros
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My tercel:: '84 Tercel4wd w/extensive mods
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Re: Need intermediate shaft

Post by Petros »

here is the procedure I used to replace the u-joints. I think in the parts number forum someone found the correct size u-joints for replacement on Amazon. We should combine those and put it in the repair guides section so it is easier to find.

viewtopic.php?f=7&t=9448&p=68628&hilit= ... int#p68628
'87 Tercel 4wd SR5 (current engine swap project)
'84 Tercel 4wd (daily driver, with on going mods)
'92 Mazda MPV 4wd (wife's daily driver)
'85 Tercel 4wd DLX auto(daughter's daily driver)
'01 Honda Civic (other daughter's daily driver)
boisesr5
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My tercel:: 1984

Re: Need intermediate shaft

Post by boisesr5 »

Thanks folks. I haven't dug into it yet to figure out exactly what is bad. The mechanic simply said the intermediate shaft needs to be replaced. It does seem like the U joints would be the problem though. I'll dig into it and post when I learn something.
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garyfish
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My tercel:: 1985 Tercel SR5, stock; 1987 T4WD DLX wagon, manual tranny
Location: North Coastal California

Re: Need intermediate shaft

Post by garyfish »

Here's a useful thread to check out:
viewtopic.php?f=16&t=10918

If you had a 1985-88 T4WD, you might be able to use the entire U-joint assembly part # 45209-16010 which (according to Forum member 4doorVIP in the linked thread) used to be available on Amazon.com for about $31 but is now out of stock.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00C6MV72A/

On EBay, part # 45209-16010 is currently available for about $100 including shipping.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/4520916010-Gen ... 2382068732
1985 Tercel SR5 4WD wagon, 300K
1987 Tercel DLX 4WD wagon, 6-speed manual, 274K -- got this one running Jan. 2015 (had been sitting for 2 years); this has been my daily driver since 2016
boisesr5
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My tercel:: 1984

Re: Need intermediate shaft

Post by boisesr5 »

Thanks Gary.
It looks like things changed in 85. My 84 doesn't have a sliding yoke. Rather, the U bracket is one piece with the shaft (pic attached). It looks like I'll have to rebuild the U joint.
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Petros
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Re: Need intermediate shaft

Post by Petros »

the 83-84 steering shaft is different. '85 and after had the tilt wheel contraption and the whole steering shaft changed a little bit, enough where the parts are not interchangeable (not without a willing machine shop and a skilled welder anyway).

the U-joint itself will fit in the yoke. but Toyota never made that part available by itself, you have to buy the assembly, when inventory is gone for that model, it becomes NLA. So you have to do it yourself, most repair shops are not willing to put in unknown parts against the factory recommendations (which is silly, but many are lawsuit shy).

BTW, often if the shaft is just dry and sticky with rust, you might be able to revive it by soaking it in penetrating oil, and than try and force some grease into under the u-joint caps. otherwise just keep spraying it with penetration oil at regular intervals. if it is too far gone, loose and sloppy with needle bearings falling out, it should be replaced for safety reasons.
'87 Tercel 4wd SR5 (current engine swap project)
'84 Tercel 4wd (daily driver, with on going mods)
'92 Mazda MPV 4wd (wife's daily driver)
'85 Tercel 4wd DLX auto(daughter's daily driver)
'01 Honda Civic (other daughter's daily driver)
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rer233
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Re: Need intermediate shaft

Post by rer233 »

Power or manual steering?
if it aint there, there's a good chance it won't break!
83 SR5 Silver/Blue (Snowmobile/work beater)-totaled but drivable
85 SR5 Blue
88 SR5 White (the 'good' one)-not anymore-totaled
87 fwd silver wagon a/t
87 4wd dx Cream (a/t- not anymore- now m/t)
boisesr5
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My tercel:: 1984

Re: Need intermediate shaft

Post by boisesr5 »

Petros, the assembly is indeed NLA as far as I can tell. I can't see how to get the u-joint out of the yokes. There are no snap rings. It looks like th u-joint is part of the yoke. I've pounded away, squeezed in a vice...nothing.

rer233, manual steering.
boisesr5
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My tercel:: 1984

Re: Need intermediate shaft

Post by boisesr5 »

Actually petros they look exactly like the the final pic you posted here:
viewtopic.php?f=7&t=9448&p=68628&hilit=dimple#p68628

Does that joint have retaining clips, or are you dimpling in place of clips?
boisesr5
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My tercel:: 1984

Re: Need intermediate shaft

Post by boisesr5 »

Usually not a fan of the "push harder" approach but it worked.
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Petros
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My tercel:: '84 Tercel4wd w/extensive mods
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Re: Need intermediate shaft

Post by Petros »

they are interference fit, which means to release them, you have to "push harder". It has to be driven out.

they are actually a swagged into place, since the manufacturer does not figure the dealers would have this capability, the manual says to replace the assembly. instead of swagging it, I used the punch to "stake" it, deform the yoke metal enough to hold the bearing cap securely, so far so good on mine for several years. This is a common machine shop procedure for interference or transition fit parts. no fasteners required.
'87 Tercel 4wd SR5 (current engine swap project)
'84 Tercel 4wd (daily driver, with on going mods)
'92 Mazda MPV 4wd (wife's daily driver)
'85 Tercel 4wd DLX auto(daughter's daily driver)
'01 Honda Civic (other daughter's daily driver)
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