How to: Replace steering rack guide- Pictures

[NewVillains]

Don't mean to resurrect an old thread, but I thought I'd put my response here, instead of starting a new one.

I just had the worst wobble I have ever felt in any vehicle. I thought I was going to flip when I was on the highway by how much sway I would get when i hit a bump. I couldn't drive it without 2 hands on at all times and paying very close attention to the road. Anyway, I just replaced the whole steering rack and bushings today. I hoped in the 4runner and it was like I was driving a sports car. The handling was unbelievable, I could drive with one hand, when I made a move to switch lanes, I actually went there. I highly recommend this, it's the best $400 I have ever spent on the whole rack and bushings.

 

[Kung]

I DO mean to resurrect an old thread.

Ok, I'm 99.9% sure that I need to replace at least the steering guide, and possibly the bushings as well; a bit hard to align my vehicle, plus I'm getting that shimmy between 50 and 70mph, as well as that occasional 'clunk.'

My question is what the part # is - I'm seeing the second part of the part # (the part after the dash) but not sure about what the first part is. Sorry for my density.

 

[Drcoffee]

Installing the guide cap follow (b) and (c)

 

[iowajosh]

2wd same rack as 4wd?


edit: the ttora link says they are.

 

[azcat90]

Rod connector?

Why do you need the rod connector? Was the replacement part an "innie" and the one you took out an "outie"?

 

[BTO]

Why do you need the rod connector? Was the replacement part an "innie" and the one you took out an "outie"?

I think that's what he did. Truth be told, it looks like he didn't really need to replace anything. Just do the torque at the end is all.

 

[TheeMikeB]

So to be clear, if we have the new style 'innie' cap, we do not need to perform this fix?

Reason i'm asking is i'm redoing my front end steering/suspension components as part of my build and gear install. Since I have the entire front end pulled off it and I"m already there i'll do it. I'm doing new Inner/outer TRE anyway from slop but if I have an 'innie' i read this as I don't need to replace the guide.

 

[cordrayj1]

So to be clear, if we have the new style 'innie' cap, we do not need to perform this fix?

Reason i'm asking is i'm redoing my front end steering/suspension components as part of my build and gear install. Since I have the entire front end pulled off it and I"m already there i'll do it. I'm doing new Inner/outer TRE anyway from slop but if I have an 'innie' i read this as I don't need to replace the guide.

stock up on some good headache medicine.

 

[hambob]

I got a question about the guide bushing. I went to toyota today and they quoted me $159 for the bushing, no spring or cap, not installed, just for the bushing. Is that right? Seems crazy to me since an entire refurbished rack is $200. What did yall pay for the bushing?? Maybe they got the wrong part number?

 

[Nelsonmd]

I got a question about the guide bushing. I went to toyota today and they quoted me $159 for the bushing, no spring or cap, not installed, just for the bushing. Is that right? Seems crazy to me since an entire refurbished rack is $200. What did yall pay for the bushing?? Maybe they got the wrong part number?

That's crazy, don't go to a dealership. Try an online dealership that specializes in online part sales, my favorites are Toyota of Dallas, or Newnan toyota, they are both pretty cheap for OEM parts (I havn't found anyone consistently cheaper than those 2). I think mine was $50-60

 

[cordrayj1]

Def wrong part

 

[Dous]

I am not trying to advertise my sale or anything, but I am selling a brand new steering rack guide in the classifieds for super cheap, because I needed to just replace the whole rack. Shoot me a PM, I will self for half of the new price

 

[Kung]

Ok, question for those of you who have done this steering rack guide fix.

So it was installed by the local mechanic (who knows his stuff, BTW) along with the valve cover gasket and spark plug/spark plug wires.

If anything, the problem is a bit more prominent. I figure it may be nothing more than the fact that the mechanic didn't want to tighten it TOO much and may have left it a bit looser than necessary.

However, before I go into it any further, I thought I'd post my observations to see what I've noticed:

- steering wheel will wobble predominantly at higher speeds but does start around 40 or so
- something's definitely loose - I've noticed that when I hit a bump, if I 'hold' the wheel tight (don't allow it to turn) I still feel a 'looseness' elsewhere, as if it's not in the steering column
- had the LBJs and OTRE's replaced about 15K ago

This being said...is there a way to test if it's just the steering rack guide (beyond just tightening it) or if there are other issues compounding it, such as the ITREs and the rack itself? I'd like to go ahead and order another rack if that's what's needed.

 

[Kung]

Also...I've read through the TTORA thread concerning the tack-weld fix for the steering column; it reports that if you grab the shaft of the steering column with one hand, and then turn the steering wheel with your other hand, you'll hear/feel the 'click/pop.'

Did that...and I can't hold the shaft still, but whether I do that or not, the wheel has a bit of play and I hear a 'click/pop.' Any thoughts?

 

[Kung]

Anyone? I've searched the heck out of this, and I'm not receiving any definitive answers. If need be, I'll take it to a mechanic or the dealer...but would really rather not do that unless absolutely necessary.

 

[tek9]

Need a quick advice - I've already replaced my steering rack bushings but the steering still feels a bit loose (especially when going over bumps). While trying to diagnose it I've jacked up the front and while grabbing the wheel at 3 and 6 I can move the wheel ~0.5 inch back an forth with a slight clunk. It doesn't look like inner tie rod ends are affected - cause both wheels are moving back and forth a bit while I'm doing it - the steering rack doesn't move a bit either. Would replacing the guide fix it or I'm looking at something else that may be wrong?

Thanks.

Luke

 

[Jasonredwood]

I'm kinda in the same situation as you Kung.

Just bought a 97 4x4 4runner limited.
Some of things I had my mechanic do after I got was new Lower Ball Joints, New valve cover gaskets, and rotor/pads.
Just noticed that the steering rack is leaking fluid.
Not any play to speak of in the steering except when I hit a big bump on the freeway at about 50-60mph in a turn.

Is the leaking cause to get a whole new steering rack or should I look into replacing parts?

Thanks for any info, Im new to these fancy 3rd gens. Coming from the 1st gen 4runner world.

Jason

 

[TXRick]

Anyone? I've searched the heck out of this, and I'm not receiving any definitive answers. If need be, I'll take it to a mechanic or the dealer...but would really rather not do that unless absolutely necessary.

Also...I've read through the TTORA thread concerning the tack-weld fix for the steering column; it reports that if you grab the shaft of the steering column with one hand, and then turn the steering wheel with your other hand, you'll hear/feel the 'click/pop.'

Did that...and I can't hold the shaft still, but whether I do that or not, the wheel has a bit of play and I hear a 'click/pop.' Any thoughts?

Replaceing the guide is easy and will help with a lot fo steering issues, but if you really want to make a big improvement you need to replace the rack bushings.

This a good write up but there are better ones out there.

Toyota Maintenance: Steering Rack - Bushing Replacement

I'm kinda in the same situation as you Kung.

Just bought a 97 4x4 4runner limited.
Some of things I had my mechanic do after I got was new Lower Ball Joints, New valve cover gaskets, and rotor/pads.
Just noticed that the steering rack is leaking fluid.
Not any play to speak of in the steering except when I hit a big bump on the freeway at about 50-60mph in a turn.

Is the leaking cause to get a whole new steering rack or should I look into replacing parts?

Thanks for any info, Im new to these fancy 3rd gens. Coming from the 1st gen 4runner world.

Jason

If its leaking you probably need to replace the whole thing but I've heard of people putting a stop leak solution in also...

 

[Jasonredwood]

If its leaking you probably need to replace the whole thing but I've heard of people putting a stop leak solution in also...

Yeah I think I'll do that for a temporary solution till I get it replaced.
Thanks

 

[xdfhnvhu]

I could have used this post a year ago