Steering Gear, '01 Tacoma

[srogers]

On my '01 Tacoma 4WD with 101k miles, started developing some play/vibration through the steering column, really noticeable when in 4WD and turning at slow speeds.

Got the tires rotated/balanced, issue didn't go away.

Took it to my local alignment/suspension shop, and noticed that one of the bushings on the steering gear is hosed; turn the wheel either direction and the bolt just slops around.

I called my local dealer as well as a second dealer, and neither are showing the bushing as available in their parts catalog, and ToyotaDIY's site doesn't either; the "u-shaped" bushing (which is circled on the left) is available, and I ordered it as I will replace it while I have it apart, but to get the other bushing replaced Toyota forces you to buy the entire steering gear to the tune of $900!

Any thoughts on where I could source the bushing circled on the right? I'm going to hit my local parts store but didn't know if anyone else had encountered this; the alignment shop had replaced one on a comparable Tacoma a while ago, but the customer apparently brought his own parts with him so he didn't source them.

Photo from under my pickup, circled the bushing that I need to replace:

 

[MikeBoyle]

Cancle the order on the bushing you already ordered and get a set of Energy Suspension urathane bushings for the rack. Energy Suspension 8.10103 Steering Rack Bushings They are a 100% upgrade over the stock rubber junk that fails all the time.

 

[Duane]

are you running bfgoodrich at's? are they cupped or every second block on the inside part of the tread face high and low?

 

[srogers]

Good call Mike - I actually stopped in at my local auto supply and spent 20 minutes yesterday walking through their parts catalog, got that same set this morning on their freight truck. I paid $26 tho (versus the $16 plus freight on your link), but given that I thought I was going to have a larger bill than that I won't complain too much.

I will say though, that the parts catalog was screwed up - it didn't show any bushing set for the Tacoma, finally after digging around it listed the set as "95-04 Toyota Truck, NOT T-100, NOT Tundra" which made it not appear in the searches. We finally stumbled upon it and took a chance when ordering.

Part # is hard to read, but it is 8.10103G - Rack and Pinion Bushing

I'll see how the install goes; and yes, I am running BFG AT's, getting a vibration at 60'ish so I am due for an alignment, probably have the bushings replaced at the same time. Tires have about 35k miles on them, so I want to make sure I get as much life as possible.

 

[MikeBoyle]

The install is pretty straight forward, the rack doesn't eaven need to be removed from the vehicle. Just unbolted and pulled away from the crossmember.

 

[raydouble]

There is a write up in the FAQ, concerning replacing them.
https://forum.ih8mud.com/95-gen-toyota-trucks/341631-3rd-gen-4runner-faqs.html
In the DIY maintenance steering section, you should check out the first two threads.

 

[srogers]

Fantastic write up raydouble

 

[raydouble]

Fantastic write up raydouble