Steering Rack Opinion (1 Viewer)

[40TUDE]

So I took the wife's 98' in for an alignment, and the diagnosis from the mechanic is that it needs new inner tie rod ends as well as all 4 ball joints. The truck has 205k on it, and I have seen mention many times that the steering rack tends to become an issue at some point on these, as well as the steering rack bushings.

Looking for opinions on whether it makes sense to just replace the whole steering rack while I am in there messing with everything else. Any help appreciated.
Thanks

 

[BullElk]

The rack will have inner tie rods on it. Others here will know better and more but not sure I would just do tie rods without entire rack or not. If rack is leaking then I would replace entire rack. I would, however, make sure you get good bushings (Whiteline brand) if you do not get a new Toyota steering rack. I used a Master Pro rack from Oreilly with good results except for the bushings are not good. MUST get good bushings with aftermarket rack.

 

[krice118]

Yea I had 2 mechanics tell me the same thing then I was able to take it to Slee and they said new Rack and I had them replace it and now my 100 feels as tight as a BMW

 

[Yavo]

I just rebuilt my entire front end. ALL bushings, tie rods, ball joints, a-arm bushings, axles, etc…

I found that my inner tie rods were both shot, and my ball joints were marginal at best. The rack was perfectly fine. Did not leak or have any play at all.

I yours is not leaking, I would personally just do the ball joints and inner and outer tie rods (if the outer are not tight, that is). Also do the rack bushings. You will be amazed at the difference it will make.

 

[YardPig]

At 200k it's any day now....id go new OEM rack with new outer tie rods as well, replace the bushings with Whiteline and be done with it for a long time, bonus is you'll then realize how well these trucks actually handle! Have your mechanic also do a full power steering flush, including removing the resivour and cleaning the screen BEFORE removing your old rack.

 

[paulespo]

Picking up on this thread again. My rack is leaking on my '04, but it only has 100k miles. I feel like it still handles really well (even towing our camper), but I'm agonizing over the extra $500 for OEM rack vs. Toyota. I'll have them do the full power steering flush, including removing the resivour and cleaning the screen BEFORE removing the old rack, so thanks for that tip. Should I shell out the extra for the OEM rack? Or can I get away with after-market and better bushings?

 

[ga12r1]

An oem rack shouldn’t be $500 more. I just had one shipped to me from Camelback Toyota last week for $530.

2000 Toyota Land Cruiser Parts - Camelback Toyota Parts - Genuine OEM Parts - Free Shipping

 

[ga12r1]

An oem rack shouldn’t be $500 more. I just had one shipped to me from Camelback Toyota last week for $530.

2000 Toyota Land Cruiser Parts - Camelback Toyota Parts - Genuine OEM Parts - Free Shipping

Oops. Just realized you have a 04, that part number is for 98-02. Sorry.

 

[abuck99]

I think he said wife's 98? The 98-2002 have blessing of a lower cost steering rack. You can get it for under $500 shipped. CVJ in Denver offers rebuilt steering racks- for considerably less ( I have no experience with their rebuild quality or durability). The inner tie rods are almost $200 each at Toyota so based on that alone I would go with a new rack. How much play in the tie rods: slight wandering or death wobble?

If you aren't doing any of the work, you might just bite the bullet and have the rack replaced to keep your Mrs. safe & happy. If you were doing the work, since its not leaking yet I would try to replace the rack bushings first and see how that works; it might buy you some time. But that is not economic if you are paying labor for that job- which would be as much as replacing the entire rack.

Are the ball joint boots torn, or oozing grease? If not torn, might not be an emergency. If there is play, another story. You can check with a pry bar.

Cruiser Outfitters carries the ball joints.

 

[Ironsides]

I have a 02 with 173k. The PO did not maintain the vehicle but the steering felt very nice on the test drive. I will have replaced almost every moving part on this since the test drive a month ago. Would you guys recommend a new steering rack "while I am in there"?

 

[hoser]

IMO, you only need a new steering rack if it is leaking badly or if there is excessive play internally. Most play can be found outside the rack.

 

[Ironsides]

IMO, you only need a new steering rack if it is leaking badly or if there is excessive play internally. Most play can be found outside the rack.

Thank you! I’ll keep it how it is for now and service everything else