Assistance with steering rack bushings near Boulder, CO?

[davidoff]

Hey All,

My steering's floaty and based on prior experience with a 3rd gen, I believe that replacing my steering rack bushings is the right place to start. I was going to get the Wheeler's Offroad kit (http://wheelersoffroad.com/product/...shing-kit-for-95-00-tacoma-and-96-02-4runner/).

I'd like to do the work myself but I don't live somewhere that's possible (street parking). Is there anyone in the Boulder, CO area that would be willing to lend a hand (both in terms of space to do the work, and assistance as necessary)? I have all the tools I should need and have been under a number of cars, though I haven't done this job specifically. I figure if we got an early start we'd be done in a few hours. I'd be happy to donate beer, cash, my time and assistance with work on your truck, etc. I'd probably want to replace my front rotors (warped) at the same time.

Just trying to avoid shelling out hundreds for a job that while not "easy" should be straightforward and fairly inexpensive.

Thanks.
Andy

 

[davidoff]

Just bumping this once before letting it fall off...

Andy

 

[HOJeepster]

Just bumping this once before letting it fall off...

Andy

I unfortunately can't help, but this is something I would like to do as well. I'm in Longmont.

If all else fales, go to Charlies Garage in north boulder. He's my go to Toyota mechanic.

 

[Asaspades93]

I'm in boulder. Never done the job myself but i'd be happy to lend a hand if you need. i dont have a garage or any good space to do work besides empty parking lots

 

[sportscarfan]

Before changing parts, I'd go for the steering rack adjustment. I did this 3-4 years ago, never changed any parts.

I opened mine up, cleaned & lubed the slider and reassembled making the adjustment while I had an assistant moving the steering wheel L&R. If you grab the tie rod end while your assistant is moving the wheel, you can feel the point when you are adjusting where the slop is gone. Should be easy to do on the street / parking lot.

 

[HiLife]

I'm in the same boat with you as far as doing any kind of maintenace.
You might want to search for businesses that rent stalls to people like us.
"]www.diyautorepairshops.com/[/URL]

Or, try to find a space around the complex and wrench fast. Good luck.

 

[davidoff]

Thanks all. I think I'm going to get some quotes, including the recommended rack adjustment (which I hadn't considered), then determine if the DIY place will be a good option.

Andy

 

[thor999]

Well we have a lot of help here, and I have a great place to do it, but I'm in Elizabeth (Sun Country Meadows) 80107

 

[rdracer66]

I don't have too many tools to speak of, or much of a mechanic. But I have a garage that you are more than welcome to use. I'm in Johnstown and work near Boulder. Weekends are when I have any free time. Feel free to PM me for my number.

 

[TheDurk]

Thanks all. I think I'm going to get some quotes, including the recommended rack adjustment (which I hadn't considered), then determine if the DIY place will be a good option.

Andy

I did it in my driveway. No need for a lift. On a '99, I found it no problem with the wheels on the ground. Depending on the street, if I had my tools and a cooler in the cargo area, I could see doing it in the street. I've done my share of on-street wrenching. Just have a few C-clamps of various sizes and a good 1/2" metric socket set with breaker bar and torque wrench available.

You can see if the issue is the bushings. Just get under there and watch while someone turns the wheel back and forth (engine running). If the rack moves side-to-side; it's the bushings. No adjustment will fix it.

This the DIY I used:

http://www.4x4wire.com/toyota/maintenance/steering_bushing/

This is an even better write-up, but unfortunately the pic links are all dead.

http://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/steering-rack-bushing-replacement.412826/

 

[absalom]

Buy a $10 headlamp from Walmart, wait till they close and then do it in their parking lot. It's very easy and no lift required. The steering rack adjustment, if you even need it, is even easier to do. But be careful, it's very easy to over/under tighten, and throw the whole system out of whack. I recommend having FSM handy to get the correct torque values.

 

[davidoff]

Thanks for the links to the write ups. Hopefully this weekend I'll be able to confirm that the bushings are what need work, and then go from there. rdracer66, I'll PM you if I decide to take you up on your offer of garage space.

Thanks again all.
Andy

 

[Asaspades93]

I'm off wednesday if you wanna try it

 

[davidoff]

I haven't been able to do the work yet, but I got video of the play in the rack. I'd say this is...excessive.

https://youtu.be/xg-qrUDNM_A

Going to take care of this at the same time I do a few other things including timing bet/water pump/etc.

Will likely end up doing this in my parent's driveway when I'm back home for Thanksgiving, rather than working to find a place here, since nothing is tragically broken right now nor does it appear to be headed that way before Thanksgiving.

Thanks again for the offers and suggestions.

Andy

 

[amalik]

I did it in my driveway. No need for a lift. On a '99, I found it no problem with the wheels on the ground. Depending on the street, if I had my tools and a cooler in the cargo area, I could see doing it in the street. I've done my share of on-street wrenching. Just have a few C-clamps of various sizes and a good 1/2" metric socket set with breaker bar and torque wrench available.

You can see if the issue is the bushings. Just get under there and watch while someone turns the wheel back and forth (engine running). If the rack moves side-to-side; it's the bushings. No adjustment will fix it.

This the DIY I used:

Toyota Maintenance: Steering Rack - Bushing Replacement

This is an even better write-up, but unfortunately the pic links are all dead.

Steering rack bushing replacement | IH8MUD Forum

I just watched OP's youtube video...

So when he takes the steering back and forth like that, the rack shouldn't be moving at all?

 

[rorybg]

I haven't been able to do the work yet, but I got video of the play in the rack. I'd say this is...excessive.

https://youtu.be/xg-qrUDNM_A

Going to take care of this at the same time I do a few other things including timing bet/water pump/etc.

Will likely end up doing this in my parent's driveway when I'm back home for Thanksgiving, rather than working to find a place here, since nothing is tragically broken right now nor does it appear to be headed that way before Thanksgiving.

Thanks again for the offers and suggestions.

Andy

If you change your mind, I am here in Boulder as well and have a plethora of different tools.

 

[TheDurk]

I just watched OP's youtube video...

So when he takes the steering back and forth like that, the rack shouldn't be moving at all?

Yep. Maybe just a smidgin, but with new ones it won't move at all. That video is very sloppy bushings, worse than mine before I did them, and I was getting wobble above 55mph. It's easier to see if the helper just whips the wheel from 9 to 3 and back.

 

[davidoff]

Finally got this done, along with a ton of other work. Anyone who has done this with the car on the ground (as some suggested attempting) is more magical than I am. It was difficult enough working the torque wrench and jostling with the rack with the car on jack stands.

Andy