Steering Rack replacement / rebuild 03-04 VS 05-09. What is the difference? (1 Viewer)

[Jstawgn]

End up doing a lot of unnecessary research because Toyota put a stop sale on the reman rack due to quality issue. Luckily it got stopped before I bought it.
Steering rack 44200-35061 03-July 04 model about $575 brand new
Steering rack 44200-35070 August 04-09 model about $1000 brand new
What is exactly the difference? It does seems to hear the 03-04 got more power steering issue. Both still use similar tooth pick inner tie rod with same part number.

RACK DOCTOR sells 03-04 model with 2 year warranty and 05-09 model with lifetime warranty. Why the difference in warranty? They must notice the difference in failure rate to offer such a big difference in warranty.

CVJ sells 03-09 as they say it's compatible. Only 1 year warranty which is a concern if you end up with the earlier version.

05-09 rebuild kit
Rebuild kit 04445-35190
Is the O-Ring really gray?

03-04 rebuild kit
Rebuild kit 04445-28091

Anybody got any Insight?

I got frustrated and end up buying SuperPro bushing and 04445-35190 rebuild kit from UAE. They are not available from Toyota stateside. At least I would have upgraded bushing although I might regret all the extra hours involved. I rebuild a few steering rack before so it does not really scares me.

 

[Rednexus]

Not exactly an answer to you question, but I picked up a Cardone reman rack for my '07 from RockAuto earlier this year. It was around $225 and has been perfectly fine so far. The quality seemed pretty good when I installed it, and it made a huge difference in handling and steering feel.

 

[Jstawgn]

Not exactly an answer to you question, but I picked up a Cardone reman rack for my '07 from RockAuto earlier this year. It was around $225 and has been perfectly fine so far. The quality seemed pretty good when I installed it, and it made a huge difference in handling and steering feel.

Cardone are not available anymore at rockauto. Most are new aftermarket with unknown quality. Local parts store reman are in 400-500 range. New OEM does not seem that expensive compared to that.

 

[Rednexus]

Gotcha - sucks that the Cardone rack is gone now. I'd probably go with a known-quality unit like a CVJ or a new OEM one in that case, as you have indicated.

 

[FrankTorres]

For what its worth, Rack Doctor is excellent to deal with. I believe the owner is a car enthusiast (BMW)
I would not hesitate to purchase a rebuilt unit from them. They stood behind there rack I bought for my GS after 6 years 100k miles it started leaking, they sent me a replacement right away. I would not be surprised if they are rebuilders for Cardone...

 

[Jstawgn]

Rack doctor price and warranty seems to the the best buy for reman steering rack. Plus knowing they know there is two different P/N while other just stock one P/N.

 

[AmericanKing]

Currently looking for a rack for my 03. I'm glad I came across this thread a lot of great info, Thanks. I might consider rack doctors or BBB industries on rockauto. I found a couple of great reviews from the 100 series land cruiser guys.

 

[NJGX470]

Currently looking for a rack for my 03. I'm glad I came across this thread a lot of great info, Thanks. I might consider rack doctors or BBB industries on rockauto. I found a couple of great reviews from the 100 series land cruiser guys.

End up doing a lot of unnecessary research because Toyota put a stop sale on the reman rack due to quality issue. Luckily it got stopped before I bought it.
Steering rack 44200-35061 03-July 04 model about $575 brand new
Steering rack 44200-35070 August 04-09 model about $1000 brand new
What is exactly the difference? It does seems to hear the 03-04 got more power steering issue. Both still use similar tooth pick inner tie rod with same part number.

RACK DOCTOR sells 03-04 model with 2 year warranty and 05-09 model with lifetime warranty. Why the difference in warranty? They must notice the difference in failure rate to offer such a big difference in warranty.

View attachment 3047915

CVJ sells 03-09 as they say it's compatible. Only 1 year warranty which is a concern if you end up with the earlier version.

05-09 rebuild kit
Rebuild kit 04445-35190
Is the O-Ring really gray?
View attachment 3047920

03-04 rebuild kit
Rebuild kit 04445-28091
View attachment 3047918

Anybody got any Insight?

I got frustrated and end up buying SuperPro bushing and 04445-35190 rebuild kit from UAE. They are not available from Toyota stateside. At least I would have upgraded bushing although I might regret all the extra hours involved. I rebuild a few steering rack before so it does not really scares me.

A couple years back I picked up an AAE rack for my 3rd gen 4Runner. It appears to be a quality unit and I have had no issues with it. I see it is available on rock auto for multiple years for GX470. I did some research on AAE before I purchased the rack and they seem legit.

 

[Jstawgn]

A couple years back I picked up an AAE rack for my 3rd gen 4Runner. It appears to be a quality unit and I have had no issues with it. I see it is available on rock auto for multiple years for GX470. I did some research on AAE before I purchased the rack and they seem legit.

Hear about this new AAE rack being recommended. Might be worth to try.

I open all the booth today and it's dry. Remove the intermediate shaft / rag joint and one axis was frozen which is more consistent with the symptoms I got. Got to order new replacement. This is lexus specific in US so it comes with premium. 4runner are shorter and not compatible. 45203-60120 is the part number. Cheapest online is about $285 plus tax and shipping.

 

[GXO]

You can also get a V8 Limited 4Runner rack and they fit the GX470 and cost less.

 

[Jstawgn]

They are exactly the same part number between 4Runner and GX.
Price wise 03-07/04 are less than $600
10-13 stronger are less than $800
8/04-09 are about $1000.
200 series rack are less than $600
Don't understand Toyota/Lexus pricing on it.

 

[GXO]

They are exactly the same part number between 4Runner and GX.
Price wise 03-07/04 are less than $600
10-13 stronger are less than $800
8/04-09 are about $1000.
200 series rack are less than $600
Don't understand Toyota/Lexus pricing on it.

I have no idea as well. When I did RCLT and heard I had to get a rack I was upset...then saw the price of a 200 rack and was like, oh!!

 

[AmericanKing]

Recently found this review of aftermarket rack and pinion and seen that Ultra power rack and pinion are remanufactured by Cardone. Google it and found Ultra Power and Cardone have the same part #'s. Rockauto have the Ultra power in stock with tie rod ends at $248. I made the purchase. Ill make a updated post on the rack. (5 Best Aftermarket Rack And Pinion Reviewed - Car, Truck And Vehicle How To Guides - Vehicle Freak - https://vehiclefreak.com/5-best-aftermarket-rack-and-pinion-reviewed/ aftermarket)

 

[PhatFJ]

Recently found this review of aftermarket rack and pinion and seen that Ultra power rack and pinion are remanufactured by Cardone. Google it and found Ultra Power and Cardone have the same part #'s. Rockauto have the Ultra power in stock with tie rod ends at $248. I made the purchase. Ill make a updated post on the rack. (5 Best Aftermarket Rack And Pinion Reviewed - Car, Truck And Vehicle How To Guides - Vehicle Freak - https://vehiclefreak.com/5-best-aftermarket-rack-and-pinion-reviewed/ aftermarket)

I just installed this same unit in my 2004 gx and it was excellent. Side by side you can't tell the difference.

 

[Rednexus]

My reman Cardone rack has been in for a year-ish. No problems whatsoever, the GX still steers and drives great. Maybe my old rack already made it into a forum member's GX

 

[AmericanKing]

I just installed this same unit in my 2004 gx and it was excellent. Side by side you can't tell the difference.

The rack has been installed for about 3k miles no issues. I also installed whiteline bushing. I figured the bushing would be the first to fail in the unit. Thought it would be worth the extra cash while the unit was out of the vehicle. Installed Magnefine magnetic filter to the return line thanks to @Rednexus build thread. I attempted to install the Dorman reservoir as I was installing the return line, it crack along the nipple were it meets the reservoir. I Don't recommend Dorman reservoir. Clean out old reservoir.