Steering rack - rebuild? (1 Viewer)

[gatormark91]

So my steering rack in leaking a little bit, but not from the tie rod ends, it appears to be leaking from around the input shaft. I know my poly rack bushings also need to be refreshed.

However, there is nothing wrong with the rack itself. Has anyone actually done a rebuild (basically, reseal) on a 100 rack? Is it a false economy to take it out and not just replace it with a new one? It is an A1 Cardone reman, about 4 years old (when they were still good!), and the truck is lifted 2.5". I'd rather spend put the $600 for a new OEM rack towards a rear locker, but figured I'd throw this out there for discussion.

Note - labor is not a consideration - I do my own work.

Thanks!

 

[JunkCrzr89]

@meracecars claims to have rebuilt his steering rack.

 

[jsloden]

I replaced mine a few months ago and this is the conclusion I came to. I considered the options carefully because this is not a job I want to have to do again in six months. The rebuild kits work sometimes if the metal parts aren't too far out of spec. Usually it's a temporary fix though. Yours being an already remanned one though I wouldn't recommend it. The aftermarket ones also don't seem to last very long, at least when compared to a new toyota one. Then you have the new toyota ones. The cheapest one I found for mine was about $650. I didn't want to spend that much on a truck with 450k miles. I opted to go with a factory toyota rebuilt unit. Yes, it's remanned but I would like to think that a factory toyota part was remanned to a higher standard than ones you would get elsewhere. It was also about half the price of a new one.

 

[JunkCrzr89]

I opted to go with a factory toyota rebuilt unit. Yes, it's remanned but I would like to think that a factory toyota part was remanned to a higher standard than ones you would get elsewhere.

If it’s anything like Toyota’s remanned CV axles then it’s probably an aftermarket rebuilt unit put in a Toyota box.

 

[jsloden]

If it’s anything like Toyota’s remanned CV axles then it’s probably an aftermarket rebuilt unit put in a Toyota box.

Only time will tell I guess. Most people seem to have pretty good luck with them.

 

[gatormark91]

Screw it, the O-ring kit is $180-$200 by itself.

Maval is the company that remanufactures racks for Toyota.

I'll probably just buy a new OEM rack.

 

[ILBEATU]

You can buy a reman rack from Toyota for $300 + 150 core. I did it. I replaced the bushings with polyurethane and it works great.

 

[jsloden]

You can buy a reman rack from Toyota for $300 + 150 core. I did it. I replaced the bushings with polyurethane and it works great.

This is what I did. Mine is working great.

 

[gatormark91]

You can buy a reman rack from Toyota for $300 + 150 core. I did it. I replaced the bushings with polyurethane and it works great.

For the extra $300, I'd prefer new, since my truck is lifted and I wheel it. The Toyota remans are probably fantastic, but I don't want to chance having to re-do the rack every 3-4 years. This one only has maybe 40k miles on it? Just personal choice. I want to install it and forget about it for a decade. As for the poly bushings, mine were Whiteline, and they are shot. They are too stiff for my taste. Great feel on the road, but need a bit more compliance on the trail, which is what ate them up. Going back to factory rubber.

 

[JunkCrzr89]

For the extra $300, I'd prefer new, since my truck is lifted and I wheel it. The Toyota remans are probably fantastic, but I don't want to chance having to re-do the rack every 3-4 years. This one only has maybe 40k miles on it? Just personal choice. I want to install it and forget about it for a decade. As for the poly bushings, mine were Whiteline, and they are shot. They are too stiff for my taste. Great feel on the road, but need a bit more compliance on the trail, which is what ate them up. Going back to factory rubber.

I wholeheartedly agree with everything you stated, from the rack decision to the preference for Toyota rubber bushings.

 

[Trunk Monkey]

Mysteriously after having the truck aligned my 2 year old OEM rack is now leaking out the PS boot. Going to have a shop eyeball it and see about replacing just that TRE seal (even tho it's not available alone).

 

[Trunk Monkey]

Well, the wet rack boot was from up above - valve cover gasket. At 250k I'll accept that, lol.