Anybody on here rebuild a rack and pinion?

[WrenchTech]

I see that Amazon and rockauto.com both sell a kit of seals and O-rings to do the job from a company called Edelman. I have a factory service manual which I have used to study the job. I have also purchased a used rack to practice on.

Any tips or recommendations?

 

[spartacus]

Go for it, The following video may help. Good luck.
Hydraulic Power Steering Rack Rebuild. Koyo OEM - YouTube

 

[brillo_76]

Once Toyota quits re-mfg the rack and pinons.. Lots of folks will have too or use aftermarket rack and pinons. I have not touched the 3rd gen steering racks. Amazingly, the 2 i am running around are not leaking...

Most members just swap them out with re-mfg ones as to why you can't find many members doing it.

Just like the automatic transmission rebuilds. Now that Toyota discontinued the 1996-2000 re-mfg of them. Now the aftermarket rebuilds is the only source besides used.

 

[gamefreakgc]

I know this is not what you are asking and you'd like to try to rebuild it. The Toyota rack comes with new inner tie rods and boots attached so it makes the price more palatable. Best price I see online is $495 and comes also with brand new inner tie rods and boots. Those four items, two for each side, costs $400 alone. I'll bet you that your inner tie rods, unless already replaced recently, are shot. That means you're only paying $95 for the rest of the rack and seals already installed, brand new, and ready to go.

1995-2004 Toyota Steering Gear 44250-35042 | Toyota Parts

But if you've already decided to rebuild, the seals are also for sale from that page pretty cheap from Toyota as well. When my rack failed my inners were also shot and had play so it just made sense to replace the whole deal. If you have already done tie rods though I can understand going to the rebuild route.

 

[WrenchTech]

I know this is not what you are asking and you'd like to try to rebuild it. The Toyota rack comes with new inner tie rods and boots attached so it makes the price more palatable. Best price I see online is $495 and comes also with brand new inner tie rods and boots. Those four items, two for each side, costs $400 alone. I'll bet you that your inner tie rods, unless already replaced recently, are shot. That means you're only paying $95 for the rest of the rack and seals already installed, brand new, and ready to go.

1995-2004 Toyota Steering Gear 44250-35042 | Toyota Parts

But if you've already decided to rebuild, the seals are also for sale from that page pretty cheap from Toyota as well. When my rack failed my inners were also shot and had play so it just made sense to replace the whole deal. If you have already done tie rods though I can understand going to the rebuild route.

Good points.

The rack I bought from a local wrecking yard supposedly has low miles. 157k or something like that. They are almost certainly lying, but I can’t detect any slop in the inner tie rods. I’m gonna try rebuilding it with a cheap parts kit from rock auto. If that doesn’t work out I’ll go to plan B.

 

[mtbtim]

I've watched a video of the process. It looks like a real pain in the arse. I'm obviously all for DIY repairs, because I make DIY videos for my Timmy the Toolman YouTube channel. But, some jobs, like the one you're inquiring about, looks like one of those with limited benefit once you factor in the cost of a quality rebuild kit (from Toyota, and not aftermarket like you're considering from Rock Aut0) and the time you are going to invest into it. Also, like [MENTION=115347]gamefreakgc[/MENTION] mentioned, a new OEM rack comes with new OEM inner tie rods which are very expensive.

My two cents is buy an OEM rack and forget about the rebuild. Like [MENTION=164664]brillo_76[/MENTION] mentioned, once Toyota discontinues selling them, then it might be prudent to rebuild it, because from my experience, aftermarket racks are junk and don't last worth a shit.

 

[Rushthezeppelin]

Another vote for just buy the whole rack. It was only 50 bucks more than just the inners and boots at the online store of one of my local dealerships. Didn't make any sense to rebuild. In fact I keep looking at my old rack (which was probably a reman) and I'm about to scrap it because I doubt anyone would want to rebuild it since it has worn inners.

 

[IHShoreRunner]

Rack & pinion

I just had my mechanic replace the rack & pinion, plus tie rods on my 2000 Limited. The boots were leaking power steering fluid, and the steering was a bit hinky. We purchased a new r&p from Rock Auto for about $260. All is good.

 

[96RedRunner]

I see that Amazon and rockauto.com both sell a kit of seals and O-rings to do the job from a company called Edelman. I have a factory service manual which I have used to study the job. I have also purchased a used rack to practice on.

Any tips or recommendations?

A new rag joint old joint half on rack will be hell to get off, Lube for days the pressure line fitting at rack will be a PITA.
http://www.japan-parts.eu/US/3/450335B.png
Compare parts you get with amazon Rock kits to what you need for a legit rebuild that makes it worth the trouble.
Internal wear won't be known till you get it disassembled rebuild could end there or parts needed not in kit.
Contemplated this in 21 same line of thinking opted for new Toyota rack on sale. Pulling rack is a least favored job.

 

[Rushthezeppelin]

Pulling rack is a least favored job.

1000x this. Getting the rack off is a real pita and it's even worse getting it back on. My suggestion is do poly rack bushings and LCA bushings while you are in there. I did LCA bushings after the fact and had to take the rack back off. Be prepared for a 2-3 day job of having it on jack stands if you go this route and that's if you get spare junkyard LCAs to put new bushings into so all you have to do is swap arms.

 

[96RedRunner]

Another thing that helps is removing the saddle clamp that secures hoses to the frame,
gives you some slack to gain better access to hose connections and tools involved.
PS pump maint fluid line flush should be in the picture.

 

[96RedRunner]

Be prepared for a 2-3 day job of having it on jack stands if you go this route

2-3 weeks in my case
CV 's leaking 6112's had settled changed settings 3 times, the rack a while I'm in there at 200k mi.