Am I missing a washer on my steering gear?

[cl4Rk]

EDIT: After watching [MENTION=120071]mtbtim[/MENTION] 's video, it looks like not only am I missing a washer, but that driver side crossmember mounting bolt is backwards.

Toyota 4Runner Steering Rack Replacement - YouTube

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Brand new OEM steering gear installed with new poly bushings.

Should there be a fender washer here in between the bolt head and the red bushing on the driver side crossmember mount? Or does this look correct as-is? (See photo)

When I look at photos online, I kinda think I'm missing a washer.

FWIW, a 4WP alignment tech (who did an awesome job BTW) said it’s missing a fender washer, and while not urgent, he said that eventually one day that bolt could start to pull though the bushing.

Thanks!!

 

[cl4Rk]

Since it's just the driver side crossmember support bolt that's on backwards, there shouldn't be any issue with me simply taking it out, reversing it, adding a washer, and tightening back to 141 ft/lbs, right?

 

[Bad Luck]

I'm 99 percent sure there should be a washer there. Can you contact the bushing manufacturer?

 

[T4topher]

Since it's just the driver side crossmember support bolt that's on backwards, there shouldn't be any issue with me simply taking it out, reversing it, adding a washer, and tightening back to 141 ft/lbs, right?

The bushing looks pretty shot from the picture, I could be wrong though.. You might need to loosen the bolts that hold the front diff to move the diff out of the way to put it back how it originally goes. It’s been a while since I messed with my steering rack so I could be wrong but I’m pretty sure I remember it hits the diff.. Could be the reason it was put back like that in the first place. Also yes there is supposed to be a washer there.

 

[cl4Rk]

Yeah that bolt is definitely backwards and missing the washer. See the correct installation in these photos:

 

[cl4Rk]

The bushing looks pretty shot from the picture, I could be wrong though..

The bushing is brand new (maybe 60 miles on it), that dark gunk is just a bunch of silicone paste that’s collected road grime.

You might need to loosen the bolts that hold the front diff to move the diff out of the way to put it back how it originally goes.

Good thought. I guess I’ll find out soon and report back. Thanks!

 

[T4topher]

The bushing is brand new (maybe 60 miles on it), that dark gunk is just a bunch of silicon paste that’s collected road grime.

Ah I would definitely try to re use it then. Now that I think about it I think there is supposed to be 2 washers on that bushing, one on the front and one on the back of the bushing. I’ll try to take a pic when I get home

 

[FD7683]

When I changed my steering rack bushings I reused the washer from the back to use for the front and used the new one on the back where it contacts the frame.

 

[cl4Rk]

Ok I feel better now: