Rack and Pinion replacement

[Mike6158]

At 170k it's time to replace the rack and pinion. It's leaking intermittently (which I thought was odd). At first I was just going to replace the bushings but after looking at what all it takes to change them out and the mileage on the truck I think I'm going to replace everything. I'm pretty sure the CV joints are getting tired too so I'll replace axles while I'm at it. May as well go with a lift kit too right?

Is there an OEM replacement or do I go with an aftermarket rack and pinion? Same question for axles. Since the 2000 LC front diff is not known for it's "mighty-ness" maybe aftermarket axles is like putting lipstick on a pig? Idk. If there's a thread for this please point me in that direction.

In looking at the process of swapping the R&P out it doesn't seem like it would be too bad (famous last words?)

 

[re_guderian]

Conventional wisdom on the board is for OEM CV's, and that's what I've stuck with. Same for the rack, those that have done have gone new, not reman'd, even with the OEM (though bushing really aren't that bad, a few threads on how-to's, I changed mine to poly in a few hours). I don't know anything about fixing the front diff.

 

[Mike6158]

Where did you buy the poly bushings?

I just PM's beno about OEM rack and pinion and axle assemblies

 

[re_guderian]

Where did you buy the poly bushings?

I just PM's beno about OEM rack and pinion and axle assemblies

Hmm, I have an invoice for the SuperPro Poly bushings from "Outback Technologies USA, Inc." out of Yorktown Heights, NY, but I can't find a web site for them. That was 2 years ago. I bought the SuperPro part number SPF2470K. I think the "aluminum bushing" thread had a link? Just googling the part number yielded a few places, about the same price I paid, ~$60-70.

Though if your rack is leaking, poly bushings may just hasten it's demise...

If I ever put in a new rack in my '00, I'll go poly from the get-go.

 

[Mike6158]

Hmm, I have an invoice for the SuperPro Poly bushings from "Outback Technologies USA, Inc." out of Yorktown Heights, NY, but I can't find a web site for them. That was 2 years ago. I bought the SuperPro part number SPF2470K. I think the "aluminum bushing" thread had a link? Just googling the part number yielded a few places, about the same price I paid, ~$60-70.

Though if your rack is leaking, poly bushings may just hasten it's demise...

If I ever put in a new rack in my '00, I'll go poly from the get-go.

beno stocks the OEM rack and axles. All I need to do is place an order, which I'll do soon

I'll see if I can find the poly bushings. Thanks for the part number and mfg info