Originally Posted by Xtremluck (Post 3465307)

My steering fluid ran low the other day so I topped it off and came back a couple of days later to this:

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...c481ef33fa.jpg

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...bee7e91c38.jpg


Not exactly what you want to see when walking back to your rig. With 133,000 miles on my truck with a good portion of those off road it looks like my steering rack has finally given out. I know a few folks have had their racks replaced by dealers but I’m looking for anyone who has done it themselves. It seems like a pretty intense job with the service manual calling the removal of the engine to get the job done. However, I know FJ and Tacoma guys have been able to do it using alternate methods.

Right now this is what I have in terms of steps to actually accomplishing this:

Steps for Removing the Steering Rack
1. Unbolt tie rod ends
2. Remove inner tie rods
3. Unbolt and remove the intermediate steering shaft from the rack's spline (Making sure steering wheel is centered and tied down)
3. Unbolt front differential brackets
4. Remove oil filter
5. Loosen steering rack mounting bolts
6. Cut and remove steering rack mounting bolts from the top
7. Unplug hi pressure and low pressure steering pump lines
8. Drain fluid
9. Remove rack from the passenger side

Reverse steps above to install the new rack

For anyone who has done this have I captured everything? Is there an easier way? Once I gather info Ill be sure to document the process to make it easier for future owners. I have a feeling that anyone who wheels their rig will face this at some point.

Originally Posted by alphabeast (Post 3465880)

Well I will comment on this. First off, thank you for documenting this process. As these trucks get older and with a lot of off road usage, I'm sure rack replacements will become more common. Second, im glad to see that the rack can be removed without removing the front diff. I had read that was possibly something that needs to come out before you can get the rack out. One question - why did you have to cut the mounting bolts? I'm guessing there is not enough room to remove them?

Originally Posted by alphabeast (Post 3465880)

Well I will comment on this. First off, thank you for documenting this process. As these trucks get older and with a lot of off road usage, I'm sure rack replacements will become more common. Second, im glad to see that the rack can be removed without removing the front diff. I had read that was possibly something that needs to come out before you can get the rack out. One question - why did you have to cut the mounting bolts? I'm guessing there is not enough room to remove them?

Originally Posted by Jetboy (Post 3465886)

I believe the FJ Cruiser owners say that the bolts hit either the transmission cooler line or the A/C pump and cannot be backed out all the way. So you have to cut them and then use shorter bolts when re-assembling.

Originally Posted by Okusputokus (Post 3476085)

any update??? I may have to do this soon.

Originally Posted by Okusputokus (Post 3476166)

Wow. Nice work and thanks for the update. Looking forward to the write-up.

Did you have to remove the oil filter assembly or anything else to get it out without lifting engine or dropping front diff? I imagine the biggest challenge was working that steering rack out of there.

Thanks

Originally Posted by DGMilty (Post 3476877)

Save yourself some time and either cut the bolt on driver's side, or loosen the AC compressor. I replaced my rack a few weeks ago on the 2008 4Runner and fought with that dang bolt for quite a while before loosening the compressor. Other than that, pretty much straight forward as you have it documented. I did get my rack from Rack Doctor.