Tips for steering rack replacement

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MistaEnduro

MistaEnduro

Joined
Sep 30, 2025
Threads
8
Messages
13
Location
Grand Junction, Colorado
I have a 08 lx570 and I have taken on the task of replacing my steering rack.

The OEM one is ~$800 and I’m wondering if it’s worth it to get OEM as the other options are around half the price.

Also any tips for the swap would be greatly appreciated!!
 
With the amount of work required, I'd personally spend the extra ~$400 for an OEM rack. It sure would suck to finish the project and have the replacement rack fail quickly, or not perform to expectations.

I have not personally done the steering rack on any of my 200s, but when the time comes, I wouldn't cheap out on the part with the amount of labor required, either of my own or that I am paying for.
 
I would definitely go with oem. Buy during one of the Toyota sales. @linuxgod had his steering rack replaced at dealership. I have read that the dealerships have a special tool that makes it a lot easier to replace. I would research and try to obtain the tool. If you are diy.
 
Last edited:
X3 for OEM on this one
 
From this thread
I was dreading it for over a year, but wasn't too bad. Your experience might be different as I have a Tundra front end, AHC delete, and no front sway bar. I worked slowly over a few days to get it done.

I had to do the following:
remove front and engine sections of my skids
remove wheels (2)
remove shocks (2)
remove tie rod ends (2)
undo the front diff mounts (3) and let it hang down as much as possible (cvs and drive shaft still attached)
undo upper engine mount bolts (4) and lift engine up until fan jams up against shroud
Undo rack mounting bolts (3), steering coupler and steering lines (2) from rack.
remove oil filter cap

I was able to snake the rack out the passenger side hole. I didn't think I was going to be able to do that and was going to have to fully remove the front diff. That made my day when I got it out without removing the diff.

I couldn't get the new rack back in the same way without removing one of the hydraulic lines attached to the rack. So you might want to remove the hydraulic lines off the old rack, which might make it easier to remove.

Make sure your diff breather line is attached before pushing the diff back into place.
 
I appreciate all the insight. I’ll definitely get an OEM rack. I’ll also look for that Toyota tool and see if I can find it.

I’ve still got AHC, stock lx front end, and I also took my sway bar off. So little difference but pretty much the same stuff I have to remove as well.

Thanks for the step by step procedure, I’ll probably procrastinate it a little longer and then eventually get to it.

Thanks!!
 
turbo8 said:
From this thread
I was dreading it for over a year, but wasn't too bad. Your experience might be different as I have a Tundra front end, AHC delete, and no front sway bar. I worked slowly over a few days to get it done.

I had to do the following:
remove front and engine sections of my skids
remove wheels (2)
remove shocks (2)
remove tie rod ends (2)
undo the front diff mounts (3) and let it hang down as much as possible (cvs and drive shaft still attached)
undo upper engine mount bolts (4) and lift engine up until fan jams up against shroud
Undo rack mounting bolts (3), steering coupler and steering lines (2) from rack.
remove oil filter cap

I was able to snake the rack out the passenger side hole. I didn't think I was going to be able to do that and was going to have to fully remove the front diff. That made my day when I got it out without removing the diff.

I couldn't get the new rack back in the same way without removing one of the hydraulic lines attached to the rack. So you might want to remove the hydraulic lines off the old rack, which might make it easier to remove.

Make sure your diff breather line is attached before pushing the diff back into place.
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