Steering column U joint splitting

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Frijjj, Dec 10, 2025 at 6:04 PM.

  1. Frijjj

    Frijjj Member

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    It's been a while but I'm back. Car has hit 320,000 and the track rod ends and steering rack have been advised as needing replacing.
    I'm really struggling splitting the U joint any pointers? I have given it a good blast with plus gas penetrating oil, the nut is out but it doesn't want to let go

    This is my first time doing a steering rack and track rod end replacement but apart from the limited access and this U it doesn't seem too bad
     
    #1 Frijjj, Dec 10, 2025 at 6:04 PM
  2. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    Wait a minute when you buy a remanufactured rack it's supposed to come with the tie rod ends all the way out to where they connect to the hubs they're only like 150 bucks complete .
     
    #2 Tombukt2, Dec 10, 2025 at 6:27 PM
  3. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    The u-joint you're speaking of is down by your gas pedal foot or on floor are you undoing that joint outside of car or at the upper joint inside of car all nice n clean ? I think there are two ways to split it. Maybe easier to undo clean bolt .
     
    #3 Tombukt2, Dec 10, 2025 at 6:29 PM
  4. Frijjj

    Frijjj Member

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    Thanks for reply it's inside the car. I just can't seem to free the bar it grips in the lower part of that joint. I suppose I could take out the upper screw and try to take the whole thing out and free it off the car?
    Haynes just says free it 17.16b is where I'm stuck
     

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    #4 Frijjj, Dec 11, 2025 at 2:52 AM
  5. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    IF it's that tite take a large flat head x driver tap into slot that the bolt pinches to hold then use a drift maybe brass to tap the splined hole down to ground. Usually up in the car behind that boot everything is clean you undo the gold bolt take the screwdriver tap into slot near bolt removed should slide down w minimal force
     
    #5 Tombukt2, Dec 11, 2025 at 5:58 AM
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  6. Frijjj

    Frijjj Member

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    Thank you will give it a go
     
    #6 Frijjj, Dec 11, 2025 at 7:07 AM
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