Help with repairing/replacing rack, pinion and power steering lines and pumps (2 Viewers)

[Greg Morgan]

First off, noob here, I hear great things about this forum. Unfortunately my first post is a bit of a downer.

I recently took in my 2001 LX470 with 152k miles to a toyota dealership here in austin because there is a lot play in the tires. They told me that there were a couple things I needed replaced:

1. Steering rack and pinion (due to leaks)
2. Power steering lines and pump (due to leaks)

I was wondering what I should be expecting to pay for something like this as I, unfortunately, cannot do something this involved myself. They quoted me 1500 for the rack to be replaced and 1800 to do the power steering lines and pumps. That is a lot of money for a truck worth 10k-ish and I just want to know if this quote is accurate and if so, is it even worth doing? Please help, thanks.

 

[allan man]

How To: Replace your own steering rack

Lots of info here How To: Replace your own steering rack post #210 for partial quote i got

 

[jLB]

If you're not going to do the work yourself, you may want to compare Edwin's ( LCS Austin's Land Cruiser Specialist! ) diagnosis and prices to what you've received from the dealer.

 

[fooldall1]

if you're not up for doing it yourself, order the parts (reman or new OEM) and hit a service like yourmechanic.com where the install labor for the rack is like 190 and the pump is about the same. Amazon has a reman Detroit Axle Steering Rack for 224.00- you choose "I haye parts" in the quote page. I used them a few times when there was too much day job work for me to work on my old Sequoia.

And, they come to you and do the work in your driveway.

But, I did the pump and leaking suction line myself in less than two hours with no problems, it was easy.

 

[Greg Morgan]

Thanks for the info and pointing me in the right direction. I need to get to reading on that thread Allan Man. jLB I will definitely contact Edwin. Also, thanks fooldall1, I haven't heard of a website like that. Very intriguing to know theres a fairly easy way to get in touch with a mechanic who will use your parts if you bought them. I'll need to look into doing the pump and lines myself, see what it entails.

 

[fooldall1]

Thanks for the info and pointing me in the right direction. I need to get to reading on that thread Allan Man. jLB I will definitely contact Edwin. Also, thanks fooldall1, I haven't heard of a website like that. Very intriguing to know theres a fairly easy way to get in touch with a mechanic who will use your parts if you bought them. I'll need to look into doing the pump and lines myself, see what it entails.

Good luck man! I got my reman A1 Cardone PS pump on Amazon, too. Just be sure to add your LC to your Amazon garage..it'll tell you if the part you're looking up will fit or not. And will save you like 2k bucks from the dealer quote using the yourmechanic.com service

 

[gatormark91]

Jason -

Ron Jon's on Orange installed my rack (my parts) for less than $300, including alignment.

 

[fooldall1]

Jason -

Ron Jon's on Orange did my rack for less than $300, including alignment.

 

[fooldall1]

@gatormark91 cool man..how long did it take them to get your truck back? Same day?

 

[gatormark91]

@gatormark91 cool man..how long did it take them to get your truck back? Same day?

Same day. Dropped off before work, picked it up after.

 

[gatormark91]

Had them install the outer tie rods as well. Their book rate included removing inner tie rods to replace the rack, but since those are attached to the replacement rack, they took that part of the labor off the bill.

 

[fooldall1]

I trust RonJon.. They rebuilt my 66 mustang tranny (when I was 15) and let me make payments until I paid it off while working at Winn Dixie. pretty awesome. That price is just Labor, right Mark?

 

[2001LC]

Seems to me, having all that go bad at same time or by your mileage is rare. I'd start by taking lots of picture of any oily spots/areas, by remove shield (skid plate). Then degrees and clean, clean and clean some more. Then watch for leak(s) reappear to pinpoint.

If rack boot(s) full of oil, it's leaking. Try At-205 reseal first. If that doesn't work replace rack.
If movement between TRE and rack, replace rack. This is hard to see because the boot(s) covers area.
Pumps rarely leak.
Suction & return hose at reservoir often leak. Hoses can be replaced without replace entire assembly.

If rack good and steering wanders; check ball joints, TRE, tires and alignment. If all good, it's the rack securing bushing. Dealer will sell you new rack, not bushing. But aftermarket poly bushing are available.

 

[nissanh]

Above. I agree with what 2001LC said. That is too much for a toyota with low miles. All my toyota's are above 210 and one recently hit 267K and still original rack/hoses/pump.

I know LC got rack issues so get one but before you go with the pump/hoses, give a good cleaning and inspect.
The Camelback toyota in AZ got brand new OEM racks for less than $600.

 

[fooldall1]

It's not uncommon, though for hose debris to get gummed up in the fluid ports of the rack and that's basically done-ski

 

[Greg Morgan]

By the way, this is the video the toyota mechanic sent me while my car was up:

 

[gatormark91]

I can't say 100%, but I don't see a leaky rack, I think I see a leaky hose that has gotten fluid all over the rack. And also (not 100% sure), it looks like probably an inner tie rod end is gone. That usually happens if the truck hits something like a curb, pretty hard. Again, it's a pretty shaky video, so no guarantee on what I am seeing.

 

[gatormark91]

That looks to be the source of the leak?

 

[2001LC]

That does look like a leaky rack on DS. Boot was very wet, typical of leak. That's not to say oil may spilled or a power steering fluid leak (ATF) from above. Look around see if oily above the DS rack boot. If not, I would add some AT-205 Reseal to power steering, clean and watch level. If yes oily above DS rack boot just clean and watch. If boot full of AFT it will continue weeping. So watch level also at reservoir.

Could not see much as camera moving all over fast. But pump may not be leaking, may just be leaky hoses from reservoir on PS (very very common).

The Stocks may be ok, besides I only saw one wet not all four. These are not like cheap regular shock, that we'd say; sure replace them all when one leaks. It fact it's ok for them to weep a bit. I'd flush the AHC, clean shocks and watch. His suggesting all 4 is uncalled for. It shows he's not that knowledgeable with these AHC systems or something worse.

Would it be nice to have new a rack, YES. But his moving the wheel showed nothing, as one wheel needs to be held in place (on the ground) then we watch for movement in gear of rack.

 

[Greg Morgan]

Thanks for looking the video over 2001LC, I really appreciate it. I'll check it out and see if I can find the source of the leak. I took it down to Shawn at LC specialist (per reccomendation above) today and he is pretty much saying what youre saying but would need to get in to verify.