1999 4Runner Rack and Pinion replacement

P

Papa K

New member
Hello,
New to the forum. Been looking at this site and others as well as Youtube for how to replace the R&P. I have a SR5 2x4 1999 4runner. I hope the pictures below will help others. The job wasn't too difficult...except fo loosening/removing the outer tie-rods. Those were a real bugger! I took my time and I don't have any power tools so the whole effort took a day.
These are one part of the bracket to remove
Rackmount-1-1.jpg~original

This is a failed tie-rod which needed to be replaced
badtie-rod-1-1.jpg~original

This is the steering assembly hook up my 4R had from the steering pump to the rack and pinion. I removed the 2 nuts and bolts and the lower guide came out with the old unit. Then took that unit and added it to the remanufactured unit.
steeringassy-1.jpg~original

New unit with old steering bracket attached
newrack-n-pinion.jpg~original
 
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^^^^ Yeah, the only reference I found were written instructions (pdf) file and 'Eric the car guy" on Youtube removing a R&P on a 2006 V8 4Runner. That one was a lot more involved. I figure this might help others.
 
1985taylor1925 said:
What do you think of it thus far?

I am on my second remanufactured rack, and I will never buy another remaned rack.
Click to expand...

I am curious too. I have 345k on my original rack, so a new/reman one is certainly in my future. I can get a pretty good deal on ACDelco parts so I would like to use them if they are quality. I have ACDelco balljoints/inner/outer tie rods and they seem to be doing fine.
 
imboredeveryday said:
what was your reason for replacing the rack was it leaking ??
Click to expand...

Two issues caused me to have to replace the rack - 1) I noticed one of the boot leaking pretty bad and also the passenger side outer tie-rod boot seal had blown out. 2) I took it to 3 differrent shops after getting new tires for alignment and all had the same conclusion. I do not drive my Runner daily as I used too. I recently went on a camping trip and noticed the vibration (shimmy/shake) in the steering wheel on the highway. Should of picked up on it earlier. I have just shy of 200K on the vehicle. I noticed a big difference when I test drove it after installing the new rack...no shimmy. Still need an alignment but I got it pretty dang close.
All three quotes I got ranged from $850 to $1,100.00 to repair/replace.
 
Papa K said:
Two issues caused me to have to replace the rack - 1) I noticed one of the boot leaking pretty bad and also the passenger side outer tie-rod boot seal had blown out. 2) I took it to 3 differrent shops after getting new tires for alignment and all had the same conclusion. I do not drive my Runner daily as I used too. I recently went on a camping trip and noticed the vibration (shimmy/shake) in the steering wheel on the highway. Should of picked up on it earlier. I have just shy of 200K on the vehicle. I noticed a big difference when I test drove it after installing the new rack...no shimmy. Still need an alignment but I got it pretty dang close.
All three quotes I got ranged from $850 to $1,100.00 to repair/replace.
Click to expand...

I just got mine replaced too. In SoCal from YotaMasters, I think all together it was $500 with parts and labor. But man does it drive better. I still need to get the alignment too.
 
Papa K said:
Two issues caused me to have to replace the rack - 1) I noticed one of the boot leaking pretty bad and also the passenger side outer tie-rod boot seal had blown out. 2) I took it to 3 differrent shops after getting new tires for alignment and all had the same conclusion. I do not drive my Runner daily as I used too. I recently went on a camping trip and noticed the vibration (shimmy/shake) in the steering wheel on the highway. Should of picked up on it earlier. I have just shy of 200K on the vehicle. I noticed a big difference when I test drove it after installing the new rack...no shimmy. Still need an alignment but I got it pretty dang close.
All three quotes I got ranged from $850 to $1,100.00 to repair/replace.
Click to expand...

Not to hi-jack this thread, cause I think this is similar, I have a '01 4runner sport, I just had my shocks/upper/lower ball joints and inner/outer tie rods replaced due to a bouncy sort of wobbly feeling in my trucks handling...this all helped the ride is now much tighter, but now the handling is different, it sort of has a sight stiffness, hard to explain, it's like the sterring takes a second to react to a turn, if I'm turning right or left the sterring won't return back I have to move the steering wheel back to straighten it out...does anyone know what is wrong with it now? thanks for any replies and anwers...
 
jc1kz said:
Not to hi-jack this thread, cause I think this is similar, I have a '01 4runner sport, I just had my shocks/upper/lower ball joints and inner/outer tie rods replaced due to a bouncy sort of wobbly feeling in my trucks handling...this all helped the ride is now much tighter, but now the handling is different, it sort of has a sight stiffness, hard to explain, it's like the sterring takes a second to react to a turn, if I'm turning right or left the sterring won't return back I have to move the steering wheel back to straighten it out...does anyone know what is wrong with it now? thanks for any replies and anwers...
Click to expand...

Dang! with replacing the inner tie-rods you're already half-way there with the rack-n-pinion.
From everything I have read, this was one of the signs that the rack needed replacing. Stiffness with the steering and the lack of quick responsiveness...may sound silly but have you checked the fluid? or changed it?
 
I have not checked power stering fluid, it is not leaking anything but I'll check the level...
 
Last edited:
jc1kz said:
Not to hi-jack this thread, cause I think this is similar, I have a '01 4runner sport, I just had my shocks/upper/lower ball joints and inner/outer tie rods replaced due to a bouncy sort of wobbly feeling in my trucks handling...this all helped the ride is now much tighter, but now the handling is different, it sort of has a sight stiffness, hard to explain, it's like the sterring takes a second to react to a turn, if I'm turning right or left the sterring won't return back I have to move the steering wheel back to straighten it out...does anyone know what is wrong with it now? thanks for any replies and anwers...
Click to expand...

Improperly adjusted rack guide could have this exact effect of steering stiffness. I would check on that.
 
Thanks I'll have that checked next, as the fluid and seals are good and no leaks, just hate going to the stealership....
 
jc1kz said:
Not to hi-jack this thread, cause I think this is similar, I have a '01 4runner sport, I just had my shocks/upper/lower ball joints and inner/outer tie rods replaced due to a bouncy sort of wobbly feeling in my trucks handling...this all helped the ride is now much tighter, but now the handling is different, it sort of has a sight stiffness, hard to explain, it's like the sterring takes a second to react to a turn, if I'm turning right or left the sterring won't return back I have to move the steering wheel back to straighten it out...does anyone know what is wrong with it now? thanks for any replies and anwers...
Click to expand...

Have them doublecheck the caster. Tell them specifically that the steering is stiffer than normal and you don't get return-to-center.
 
Papa K said:
^^^^ Yeah, the only reference I found were written instructions (pdf) file and 'Eric the car guy" on Youtube removing a R&P on a 2006 V8 4Runner. That one was a lot more involved. I figure this might help others.
Click to expand...

Any way I could get a copy of the written PDF file? I hate videos... LOL text is so much better. Im doing this on mine today
 
Papa K said:
Hello,
New to the forum. Been looking at this site and others as well as Youtube for how to replace the R&P. I have a SR5 2x4 1999 4runner. I hope the pictures below will help others. The job wasn't too difficult...except fo loosening/removing the outer tie-rods. Those were a real bugger! I took my time and I don't have any power tools so the whole effort took a day.
These are one part of the bracket to remove
Rackmount-1-1.jpg~original

This is a failed tie-rod which needed to be replaced
badtie-rod-1-1.jpg~original

This is the steering assembly hook up my 4R had from the steering pump to the rack and pinion. I removed the 2 nuts and bolts and the lower guide came out with the old unit. Then took that unit and added it to the remanufactured unit.
steeringassy-1.jpg~original

New unit with old steering bracket attached
newrack-n-pinion.jpg~original
Click to expand...

Years let but thanks for the write up! It looks like I am going to be doing this on saturday...

Unfortunately im not as lucky as most of you guys. My T4R only has 125,000 miles on it, I replaced the passenger tie rods yesterday and took it in to get aligned and they said they didnt want to align it because it would be a waste of money because after looking at the rack the driver side is moving up and down...now im stuck doing this.
 
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