New to me 100... stuff to fix

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satchel

satchel

10 Year 15 Year
Joined
Jul 1, 2007
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Location
Erie, Co
My new 100 has come with a few items to fix, I'm working on some of them like the heat and a hesitation problem, but there is a small dead spot in the steering from center that is apparently a big deal to fix although it doesn't feel like anything big in the steering wheel. At toyo, they say that it is because my steering rack is leaking causing the issue and needs replacement.

The rack is 1100 and the labor is another 1100 to change it. I'm still getting familiar with this 100 stuff so wanted to post up and see what you guys think are my options? They mention they have an aftermarket rack for 500 less, but for that amount I think I would still just do the Toyota rack.

I guess my question is, can I just do this myself? The guy says that it is an 11 hour job, requires lifting the engine and such. I'm pretty mechanically inclined, have swapped an engine, but I don't have much garage space at the moment. Has anyone actually done this and is this really that in depth? Is it worth paying the 2200 or would it be worth getting a used unit for 250 and doing it myself? I'm just trying to figure out how many bananas this job is or if I would need special tools and such.

Any and all thoughts are appreciated.
 
I've seen rebuilt racks and aftermarket racks under $400. You might look into those.
 
It may not be the rack, but instead the steering column main shaft. Hold the joint the firewall and move the steering wheel to check.
 
Toyota said the rack is leaking from both sides and must be replaced as there is apparently no repair for the leaking. I would have assumed there would be some way to fix a leaking steering rack but according to them there is no fix. If that is not correct, please let me know.
 
satchel said:
Toyota said the rack is leaking from both sides and must be replaced as there is apparently no repair for the leaking. I would have assumed there would be some way to fix a leaking steering rack but according to them there is no fix. If that is not correct, please let me know.
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I am no expert here, but for me before replacing any expensive items, I always make the person who recommend the replacement to show me exactly where the problem is. If something is leaking, I would make sure I crawl under the car and confirm it is leaking. Are you losing power steering fluid after you drive the car? Any fluid on the floor after the car is parked over night? May want to confirm that it is not the hose that is leaking or seeping fluid. The hose on mine seeps a little fluid - its wet all the time, but not losing enough fluid to make me worried. I think the rubber hose just lose flexibility after all these years and just dont seal well. I plan to replace the hose next spring.

For over 2K to fix, I would also get a second opinion just to make absolute sure the original diagnose is accurate. The cost sounds too expensive to me, but what do I know, I never had the rack replaced.
 
That's probably a good call. He said it is leaking from both ends of the rack but I have not verified it with my own eyes yet. I know it isn't leaking to the point that it is spewing anything for sure, and he said it would get me back to Ohio from Florida, so I'll probably just get a second opinion up there.
 
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