Steering Rack leak - Rubber bushes changed to aluminum

[spressomon]

rack on the LX has been leaking for years, its more wet(DS boot) than a leak, the fluid level has not hardly gone down(I have never had to add fluid) so...untill something really goes bad.....I aint touching it

Christo recently told me R&R of the hundy steering rack is THE worst job on this series! None of his mechanics EVER want to do one again. That sucks for us do it ourselfers .

 

[98cruiser]

This Australian company make them:

http://www.fulcrumsuspensions.com.au/fulcrumCat/

Part # SPF2470K. This appears to be the mounts for up to 08/2002 models and then I guess there is a change in the design and a different mounting style?

Hey Calamaridog can I get that kit from the dealer or if I have to order it from that site where is the number so I can place and order. I haved a 98 and the driver side boot is torn in half and I have to refill my steering fluid every day. are those bushings a fix to my problem or is it just replacing my boot cover

 

[98cruiser]

must refill power steering ever day

Hey Calamaridog can I get that kit from the dealer or if I have to order it from that site where is the number so I can place and order. I haved a 98 and the driver side boot is torn in half and I have to refill my steering fluid every day. are those bushings a fix to my problem or is it just replacing my boot cover

 

[calamaridog]

You need to have the rack serviced or replaced. If anything is leaking it's not the mounting bushings.

 

[98cruiser]

leaking steering fluid

Hey calamaridog when you rack is service exactly what does it intells. and how much an i looking at. Are you sure it not just the boot that has to bereplaced cause it is torn in half

 

[calamaridog]

Hey calamaridog when you rack is service exactly what does it intells. and how much an i looking at. Are you sure it not just the boot that has to bereplaced cause it is torn in half

I don't know exactly. I don't consider the steering gear a user servicable item, at least not by me. If it is just a torn boot, then the part is about $15. If the steering gear needs to be rebuilt due to a leaking seal or something, I don't know how much that will cost. If the steering gear needs to be replaced, it costs about $700 for the complete assembly, plus labor of course. Potentially a very expensive problem...

You should consider getting a couple quotes. Perhaps 1 from Toyota and 1 from an independant shop.

 

[Snook]

Spresso, I don't suppose you have a picture comparing a new bushing to a worn bushing.

Thank to i4c4lo's advise and his extension tool, I was able to replaced the worn grommet with new one. Here are some photos for illustrations.

Cheers,

 

[calamaridog]

...Hopefully that`ll teach you not to circumvent your local dealership`s parts guy

My local parts guy is MIA

 

[spressomon]

My local parts guy is MIA

Yeah...WTH has he been anyway?

 

[calamaridog]

Yeah...WTH has he been anyway?

I don't know? I'll try and hunt him down next week when I'm in Vegas

 

[calamaridog]

Snook,

Thanks for posting the pictures. I think it will help people understand the issue better.

Isn't there a different set up for later models?

 

[Boston Mangler]

Anyone know if the rack is the same as the Tundra?

I helped a friend of mine install a poly kit onto his Tundra Rack about 6 months ago, said it made a world of difference.

The kit is made by Total Chaos and "LOOKS" very similar and is only $28:

Tundra Steering Rack Bushing Kit - Wheeler's Off-Road, Inc

 

[Snook]

Anyone know if the rack is the same as the Tundra?

I helped a friend of mine install a poly kit onto his Tundra Rack about 6 months ago, said it made a world of difference.

The kit is made by Total Chaos and "LOOKS" very similar and is only $28:

Tundra Steering Rack Bushing Kit - Wheeler's Off-Road, Inc

I rather use this poly kit but like you said is it same spec or not? How about asking Toyota part dept and ask if the steering rack grommet w/ same parts number is used for Tundra and Land Crusier or not?

 

[Boston Mangler]

How about asking Toyota part dept and ask if the steering rack grommet w/ same parts number is used for Tundra and Land Crusier or not?

Good Idea!

 

[calamaridog]

I ordered the Tundra kit to see if it fits. If not, I will just install it on my buddies Tundra. I'll let you know soon enough

 

[Boston Mangler]

I ordered the Tundra kit to see if it fits. If not, I will just install it on my buddies Tundra. I'll let you know soon enough

You, my friend, are a leader!

 

[spressomon]

I ordered the Tundra kit to see if it fits. If not, I will just install it on my buddies Tundra. I'll let you know soon enough

What happened to the other nylon bushing kit you ordered?

 

[calamaridog]

What happened to the other nylon bushing kit you ordered?

The supplier was retarded. They didn't actually have a kit stateside, lied about how soon they would have it, etc. It must still be in Australia still

 

[LandCruisers4Life]

Yes Dan, your $25 OEM part may last a long time, but my imported Aussie polyurethane bushing also adds 5 HP. Besides, it's blue

So where did you get the poly bushes?

 

[calamaridog]

So where did you get the poly bushes?

I never got them. They are being held hostage by some crazy Australian types. I will have the Tundra kit this weekend and see if the main bushing is the same size. If not, I will just get the OEM bushing and call it a day.