Rack & Pinion replacement

[Quick]

Truck has 190,000 and the rack been leaking on both sides for a little while. Bought a refurbished OEM toyota with life time warranty for $300, Tie rod ends ($120 ?) and of course coolant/oil etc

I am not sure how easy it was for you all to take that sucker out, but it is definately not an easy job.

So who else has replaced this sucker and at what mileage?

 

[mrbigboy]

https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/how-to-replace-your-own-steering-rack.560104/

 

[Quick]

Had it replaced along with the front tie rod ends and oh my God, the ride is so much better/smoother now. Can't say much for handling 'coz the alignment was pretty out but hard to believe what a difference it is.

Picking it up in 2 hours (post alignment) so will report back.

Total cost: under $750 (P&L for replacing the rack/tie rod ends/coolant flush/engine oil/front brake job/packing the bearings)

 

[ElHefe]

That's a good deal. Where did you get the rack and where did you get the work done?

 

[Quick]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/12069643454...em=&sspagename=ADME:X:AAQ:MOTORS:1123&vxp=mtr

with $200 core charge.

Had it done locally here in KY

 

[Supra88]

Based on others experience, you'll be replacing that OE rack in a year. Most have not had any success with non-OEM racks or rebuilt racks. Hopefully you're the exception.


...via IH8MUD app

 

[Quick]

Oh man, wish I had done my home work O well we will see.

 

[El Cid]

I found my OEM rack at Cruiser Parts.net. Hoping to use the thread here to have a tech do the lift method and keep the labor down..

http://shop.cruiserparts.net/index....=24464&zenid=eca3fe362f687aa92f0745adef33fe5d

 

[46/71 Hybrid]

Oh man, wish I had done my home work O well we will see.

So almost 2 years later, is your rack still going strong? I'm about to buy a reman rack myself, I found a Detroit Reman with a lifetime warranty for $190.

 

[bucfl]

Based on others experience, you'll be replacing that OE rack in a year. Most have not had any success with non-OEM racks or rebuilt racks. Hopefully you're the exception.


...via IH8MUD app

Is this due to hard off-roading? Surely racks don't die from everyday driving.

 

[TXLX100]

The toyota reman racks have been good as far as I know, the rest I probaby wouldn't mess with.

 

[46/71 Hybrid]

That's what I heard but after spending some time researching, I couldn't find any evidence of reputable remans failing at a higher than Toyota OEM rate. At nearly 1/3rd the price of OEM, I'll give it a go and report back.

 

[87warrior]

That's what I heard but after spending some time researching, I couldn't find any evidence of reputable remans failing at a higher than Toyota OEM rate. At nearly 1/3rd the price of OEM, I'll give it a go and report back.

My OEM rack lasted nearly 250K miles, I'd say that's pretty good mileage. Since I've never had long term luck with any remaned part for any vehicle, I didn't try one for the rack. $500 for OEM rack + High pressure hose gasket shipped to my house from Toyota (toyotaonlineparts.com) seemed like a bargain considering the time it took to install. Should be good for another 250K miles I am curious to see how the reman unit works out in the long run.

 

[46/71 Hybrid]

I am on the opposite end of the spectrum, I've had great luck with reman parts and usually will pick them over oem. It all comes down to cost benefit analysis OR if there arent any suitable aftermarket brands. I also do my own labor though so it's not that much of a risk.

250k is awesome, mine crapped out at 160k. I'm not the original owner though so who knows how the po treated it.

Hopefully this new one lasts longer than I own the truck but I'll def report back.

 

[duggy]

There is a risk in buying non-OEM parts. I learned the hard way as I actually bought that same rack that the OP posted from Buy Auto Parts and it turned out to be a defective unit. The gears inside of the rack would strip a thread when turning and eventually not let me turn left anymore. This was dangerous on the street because I could only make right turns.

Most things I'm OK with advising buying aftermarket for. The steering rack you should always buy re-manufactured from Toyota only.

 

[46/71 Hybrid]

The steering rack you should always buy re-manufactured from Toyota only.

Not to discount your experience in the least, but that's a pretty broad statement. Looking at my tallies, your steering rack is the 4th that I've read that had premature failure. Detroit is a well-known company that's been making racks for a long time and actually makes OEM racks (not for Toyota though). I'm optimistic that their metallurgy is up to standards and the gears will last, hopefully the seals are high quality as well. At the worst, it has a lifetime warranty and I'll swap it out for another if it turns out that I'm destined to be the 5th tally for a premature failure....

 

[bucfl]

This is what im going with.

More Information for AAE 3978N

 

[duggy]

Not to discount your experience in the least, but that's a pretty broad statement. Looking at my tallies, your steering rack is the 4th that I've read that had premature failure. Detroit is a well-known company that's been making racks for a long time and actually makes OEM racks (not for Toyota though). I'm optimistic that their metallurgy is up to standards and the gears will last, hopefully the seals are high quality as well. At the worst, it has a lifetime warranty and I'll swap it out for another if it turns out that I'm destined to be the 5th tally for a premature failure....

Premature and catastrophic failures are not to be combined into the same bucket. We are all grown adults and can make our own decisions, but when it is a critical part such as steering or brakes please heed the advice given to you. I am actually parting out my front end and will give you a deal on an OEM rack with less than 5k miles, new TREs and Whiteline bushings if that means there is one less sub-par steering rack on the road.

 

[bucfl]

Premature and catastrophic failures are not to be combined into the same bucket. We are all grown adults and can make our own decisions, but when it is a critical part such as steering or brakes please heed the advice given to you. I am actually parting out my front end and will give you a deal on an OEM rack with less than 5k miles, new TREs and Whiteline bushings if that means there is one less sub-par steering rack on the road.

If you don't get a response let me know.

 

[46/71 Hybrid]

Premature and catastrophic failures are not to be combined into the same bucket. We are all grown adults and can make our own decisions, but when it is a critical part such as steering or brakes please heed the advice given to you. I am actually parting out my front end and will give you a deal on an OEM rack with less than 5k miles, new TREs and Whiteline bushings if that means there is one less sub-par steering rack on the road.

I appreciate your offer and your concern, I really do. However, I've already ordered the rack, done the research, and trust Detroit as a company and their product.

Anecdotally, I talked to a fleet group yesterday with 150+ LC's and none of them use OEM racks, or hardly any part they can source cheaper from an established supplier. From all the trucks and years of maintenance, the sup could remember two bad out of the box racks and one was due to install error.

We can agree to disagree since my experiences have shown otherwise but thanks again for the offer.