Rack and Pinion leak (1 Viewer)

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Joined
Mar 27, 2019
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Location
Longwood, Florida
It looks like my rack and pinion is leaking on my 05 LX470. Cant stomach a dealer fix. I do have a good shop I trust. Do you all have a recommendation on a rack that is not Oem...any other suggestions? Particular brand?
 
It looks like my rack and pinion is leaking on my 05 LX470. Cant stomach a dealer fix. I do have a good shop I trust. Do you all have a recommendation on a rack that is not Oem...any other suggestions? Particular brand?
I recently went with a rebuilt Detroit Axle steering rack from Amazon, about $220, Sunsong hardlines for rack$120, used YourMechanic.com and the labor was $240. Tie rods were also done, another $100 for those and some power steering fluid. This was the cheapest way I could come up with. Will be getting a lifetime wheel alignment later this week for around $150
 
Ok, so this is a good thread for me.
ive been fighting a steering fluid leak. I replaced the hoses, and still leaking, I thought mine was coming out of the unit itself, but then I thought that it wasn’t.
so this may be what my next thing to do on the my truck
 
Do you wheel your 100 at all? If it is a daily ONLY with stock-ish tires you'll be ok. If you have any build/armor or wheel at all go oem.

For what its worth I just bought a new OEM rack for $480. You'll replace a cheap rack 3x before an OEM. Buy once cry once is true as can be.
 
yep, thinking of the rebuilt route that would be OEM. No 4-wheeling. It has a 1.4" lift and bigger tires. Where did you procure the OEM rack for $480...thats the best I have seen on my searching.

It stinks to see the rebuild kits at $50 to $60 bucks but I have no idea who would be able to do it locally.

Thank you all for the replies.
 
yep, thinking of the rebuilt route that would be OEM. No 4-wheeling. It has a 1.4" lift and bigger tires. Where did you procure the OEM rack for $480...thats the best I have seen on my searching.

It stinks to see the rebuild kits at $50 to $60 bucks but I have no idea who would be able to do it locally.

Thank you all for the replies.


It’s possible to rebuild one, but involved.
 
yep, thinking of the rebuilt route that would be OEM. No 4-wheeling. It has a 1.4" lift and bigger tires. Where did you procure the OEM rack for $480...thats the best I have seen on my searching.

It stinks to see the rebuild kits at $50 to $60 bucks but I have no idea who would be able to do it locally.

Thank you all for the replies.

Toyota of Dallas online. Luckily I live across the street so saved on shipping, but sales tax about made up for that.

EDIT: I also want to clarify that is a brand new OEM rack not a reman.
 
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Also, the rebuild kits don't fix any play in the internal gears. I am replacing mine not on;y because its leaking, but has a ton of dead play. A rebuild won't fix dead play, just leaks.
 
As a last ditch effort, (if its not gushing out) try a flush with Mobil 1 and then cycle in 2-3oz of AT-205 RE SEAL. It's been know to help. It may buy you some time if the rest of your steering rack components aren't clapped out.
 
Look at CVJ in colorado. I purchased a rack from them a year ago, have wheeled, run lift with 305's, and no issues. Was please with the quality and their customer service.
 
As a last ditch effort, (if its not gushing out) try a flush with Mobil 1 and then cycle in 2-3oz of AT-205 RE SEAL. It's been know to help. It may buy you some time if the rest of your steering rack components aren't clapped out.
^^^
This is what I do as a first step, provided rack appears in good operating condition. I use 1.3 oz of AT-205.
 
I have right side leaking pretty bad and left side also leaking. After AT 205 left side stopped and right side became much better. Loosing almost no fluid. As a temporary measure it definitely works also I don't trust this kind of stuff, wouldn't put it anywhere else.
 
AT-205 can buy years. Best is replacing seals, but not always necessary.

AT-205 is the only one I trust. According to manufacture (I spoke with), it's a plasticize. They make seals, and this is the plasticize they use in making them pliable. They say, over years the plasticizes leaches out. This is especial true of poorly maintained seals (gunked up, bad oil and/or not flushing often). AT-205 replaces what age removed.

I've had very good results with the AT-205 (learned about stuff in mud) in hydraulic jacks, household rubber drain seal, differentials seals, steering rack seals and even trying in a AHC (not recommending) to see what happens. I never use as a PM and only use 1.33 oz pre qt of oil. This is my go-to in any leak other than brakes.. But if seal is damage it will not work.

With steering rack I've seen leak stop; 90% at input shaft, but only 40% of time at side seals.

I'm going to try on a rear axle seal today. ;)
 
AT-205 can buy years. Best is replacing seals, but not always necessary.

AT-205 is the only one I trust. According to manufacture (I spoke with), it's a plasticize. They make seals, and this is the plasticize they use in making them pliable. They say, over years the plasticizes leaches out. This is especial true of poorly maintained seals (gunked up, bad oil and/or not flushing often). AT-205 replaces what age removed.

I've had very good results with the AT-205 (learned about stuff in mud) in hydraulic jacks, household rubber drain seal, differentials seals, steering rack seals and even trying in a AHC (not recommending) to see what happens. I never use as a PM and only use 1.33 oz pre qt of oil. This is my go-to in any leak other than brakes.. But if seal is damage it will not work.

With steering rack I've seen leak stop; 90% at input shaft, but only 40% of time at side seals.

I'm going to try on a rear axle seal today. ;)

FWIW At 200k, rack wasn't showing any signs of leaks but I used it as a PM adding the recommended dosage last time I flushed PS system. Figured it couldn't hurt so who knows.

I'd like to know how it goes on the rear axle seal Paul. BTW- I'm sure you probably checked that breather was functioning, but a clogged one will push oil through the seal as the oil heats up.
 
FWIW At 200k, rack wasn't showing any signs of leaks but I used it as a PM adding the recommended dosage last time I flushed PS system. Figured it couldn't hurt so who knows.

I'd like to know how it goes on the rear axle seal Paul. BTW- I'm sure you probably checked that breather was functioning, but a clogged one will push oil through the seal as the oil heats up.
I did check the breather, air moved freely. First time I got a chance to use my new Mityvac silver elite. ;)

I have used AT-205 on front diff input shaft seal, on Emerald w/350K miles. It worked good. So I'm hopeful on rear axle.
I did detriment the transfer case was overfilled. Likely the diff's were also.
 
AT-205 can buy years. Best is replacing seals, but not always necessary.

AT-205 is the only one I trust. According to manufacture (I spoke with), it's a plasticize. They make seals, and this is the plasticize they use in making them pliable. They say, over years the plasticizes leaches out. This is especial true of poorly maintained seals (gunked up, bad oil and/or not flushing often). AT-205 replaces what age removed.

I've had very good results with the AT-205 (learned about stuff in mud) in hydraulic jacks, household rubber drain seal, differentials seals, steering rack seals and even trying in a AHC (not recommending) to see what happens. I never use as a PM and only use 1.33 oz pre qt of oil. This is my go-to in any leak other than brakes.. But if seal is damage it will not work.

With steering rack I've seen leak stop; 90% at input shaft, but only 40% of time at side seals.

I'm going to try on a rear axle seal today. ;)
@2001LC , I'm trying to figure out how much AT-205 to add to the power steering (flushed with M1 ATF a few months ago). On the bottle, I see 8oz of AT-205 per 6 qt oil, which is consistent with your 1.33 oz per qt. The problem is I can't find the capacity of the power steering rack to complete the calculation. How much AT-205 do you use?
 
+1 for AT-205

I was resigned to replacing steering rack to fix a leak but found the thread on this stuff. I tried it and it worked.
 
@2001LC , I'm trying to figure out how much AT-205 to add to the power steering (flushed with M1 ATF a few months ago). On the bottle, I see 8oz of AT-205 per 6 qt oil, which is consistent with your 1.33 oz per qt. The problem is I can't find the capacity of the power steering rack to complete the calculation. How much AT-205 do you use?
I use 1.3oz AT-205 in PS reservoir. PS cap.~.9qt
 

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