Anyone attempted to rebuild the steering rack at home? (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Miljack
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Malleus
Far west of Siegen
Yep. Dave's son did his a couple of years back. Piece of threaded rod and a couple of washers and you're in business. From what I remember, he didn't even pull the hub, just the tire.
@roadstr6
I'm rebuilding a 2000 LX470 front suspension right now. If you don't want to do it yourself, LMK and I'll do it for you.
@roadstr6
I'm rebuilding a 2000 LX470 front suspension right now. If you don't want to do it yourself, LMK and I'll do it for you.
Well...not actually the whole steering rack. Nathan and I have replaced all the rack bushings, inner and outer tie rods and gaiters. We have not attempted a full rebuild of the rack and pinion.
Malleus
Far west of Siegen
I assume that most people use the term "rebuild" to mean exactly what you did, Dave. Maybe a leap for me to make, but resealing a unit is almost always defined as rebuilding. Give yourself a thumbs up, or two.
I can't imagine having to replace the gearing; that seems like it wouldn't be cost effective. I haven't priced the parts, though; maybe I'm wrong.
I can't imagine having to replace the gearing; that seems like it wouldn't be cost effective. I haven't priced the parts, though; maybe I'm wrong.
Did you replace the seals at both ends of the rack itself? Those are the most common failure points.
Malleus
Far west of Siegen
I replaced the rack on the 2000 LX470 I'm working on now, because the bushings were shot. I couldn't tell, but the computer could. It kept trying to drive into oncoming traffic. FWIW, the LX470 I have with me now has 303k on it.
This is not something you want to leave alone, on a Lexus anyway. There are numerous examples of wrecks caused by the computers trying to resolve the lack of position signals and guiding the steering off the road.
If the seals are gone, the bushings are too. The seals are there to protect the bushings. Just replace them.
This is not something you want to leave alone, on a Lexus anyway. There are numerous examples of wrecks caused by the computers trying to resolve the lack of position signals and guiding the steering off the road.
If the seals are gone, the bushings are too. The seals are there to protect the bushings. Just replace them.
I rebuilt the rack in my 2005 while I was restoring it. Not too bad - some large sockets and large extensions to beat on. Now that I have a press, I'm sure it would be much easier! I did have to 3D print a octogon-shaped tool to get the tensioner screw out. There's a good youtube video or two of folks doing them for 4runners IIRC - it's more or less the exact same concept. FSM walks you through it too.
The yaw rate sensor and stability control started on 2000 with 4 wheel independent braking. The truck senses the rate of turn mismatch with the steering angle and tries differential braking to keep you on the road. Unfortunately this will happen when the bushings wear out in the steering rack and the rack shifts during a turn at speed.
2001LC
SILVER Star
Racks take specialized tools, to rebuild and set preload of pinion.
Typically the rack, rack housing and pinion are fine. Just the seals are shot.
Number one reason seals prematurely fail. Fluid not regularly flush.
Rule of thumb:
Bushing shot, no leaks and inner TRE good. R&R bushings, with aftermarkets.
Bushing shot and leaking. R&R R&P.
Consider all we get with new R&P.
New bushing.
New gears (teeth).
New Seals.
New inner TRE.
New boots and clamps.
Not a bad deal:
Typically the rack, rack housing and pinion are fine. Just the seals are shot.
Number one reason seals prematurely fail. Fluid not regularly flush.
Rule of thumb:
Bushing shot, no leaks and inner TRE good. R&R bushings, with aftermarkets.
Bushing shot and leaking. R&R R&P.
Consider all we get with new R&P.
New bushing.
New gears (teeth).
New Seals.
New inner TRE.
New boots and clamps.
Not a bad deal:
