2003 lx470 PS rack replacement - question

[LX470YYC]

Getting started here and something I want to run by yall.

My left side and right side outer tierods are far from equal (threads showing). PS has none showing, DS has 12 showing. Is that as weird as I think it is?

Last “alignment” was done by a local shop who looked at me quizzically when I asked them if they have techstream.

I have vague recollections that steering wheel angle is way off in techstream (have noticed it in passing when working on AHC in the past), but can open that up to confirm if needed.

Can I assume by this evidence that this shop tried to straighten my steering wheel by ONLY adjusting outer tie rod ends? (Rather than using trchstream to 0 out VGRS?)

Edited for clarity - Vehicle has VGRS

 

[LX470YYC]

Getting started here and something I want to run by yall.

My left side and right side outer tierods are far from equal (threads showing). PS has none showing, DS has 12 showing. Is that as weird as I think it is?

Last “alignment” was done by a local shop who looked at me quizzically when I asked them if they have techstream.

I have vague recollections that steering wheel angle is way off in techstream (have noticed it in passing when working on AHC in the past), but can open that up to confirm if needed.

Can I assume by this evidence that this shop tried to straighten my steering wheel by ONLY adjusting outer tie rod ends?

 

[vipergrhd]

Do you have variable steering? If you don't, turn the steering wheel all the way left and all the way right starting from center line, It should be even when you hit the stop or very close to it. Is your steering straight after alignment? Yes, that is a bit weird to have that many treads showing on one side only.

 

[LX470YYC]

Do you have variable steering? If you don't, turn the steering wheel all the way left and all the way right starting from center line, It should be even when you hit the stop or very close to it. Is your steering straight after alignment? Yes, that is a bit weird to have that many treads showing on one side only.

Yes, sorry - VGRS on this vehicle.

 

[2001LC]

03-07 LX470 all have VGRS.

So many alignment shop do not understand VGRS. They start by centering steering wheel, then adjust TRE: WRONG!

Here's how to correct, unequal TRE thread count:
Just count total of exposed thread from both side. Divide by 2. Set each thread count the sum.
This set each side equal thread count. If Toe alignment was dead on, it still will be.

Then center steering wheel through tech stream, when done.

Do not break clock spring by sinning steering wheel.
Do not turn steering wheel with rack discount, more than 180 deg. And make sure to turn back in opposite direct, back to your start position of dead straight wheels, before attaching pinion output shaft to intermediate shaft #2 U-joint.

New OEM rack have paint marks. By having inner TRE out about the same distance. Then fine tune with paint marks, which will set inner TRE exactly same distance out.

Warning: Never pound in direction of steering wheel. With VGRS system. Doing so may damage intermediate shaft #1 (VGRS actuator)

 

[LX470YYC]

03-07 LX470 all have VGRS.

So many alignment shop do not understand VGRS. They start by centering steering wheel, then adjust TRE: WRONG!

Here's how to correct, unequal TRE thread count:
Just count total of exposed thread from both side. Divide by 2. Set each thread count the sum.
This set each side equal thread count. If Toe alignment was dead on, it still will be.

Then center steering wheel through tech stream, when done.

Do not break clock spring by sinning steering wheel.
Do not turn steering wheel with rack discount, more than 180 deg. And make sure to turn back in opposite direct, back to your start position of dead straight wheels, before attaching pinion output shaft to intermediate shaft #2 U-joint.

New OEM rack have paint marks. By having inner TRE out about the same distance. Then fine tune with paint marks, which will set inner TRE exactly same distance out.

Warning: Never pound in direction of steering wheel. With VGRS system. Doing so may damage intermediate shaft #1 (VGRS actuator)


View attachment 4214795

This is what I needed. THANK YOU!

 

[2001LC]

You're more than welcome.