Just a day or two ago I put in some new brake pads (long story about those, short story don't get your pads from autozone even if you get the "high quality" ones), new lower ball joints, and new outer tie rod ends.
Earlier today I take it in to get the alignment, and they say there's still a bad part, the left inner tie rod, and they can't properly perform an alignment. Obviously that needs to be replaced (might as well do them both, no sense in doing one side and having the other go bad 5,000 miles later).
My question is, while I'm in there doing that, is there other things I should look at or replace? I've heard the bushings are a good idea (and fairly cheap) and a new bushing is going to give me tighter steering than an old. On freeway speeds especially, but even around town to a certain extent, the steering has felt a little loosey goosey.
The shop also said I have a leaking rack and pinion, and thinks I need to replace the whole thing. I don't know about that, I keep pretty good maintenance on my truck since I've owned it, and other than a little bit loose or shakey steering at high speeds, there are no signs of that. No puddles, no weird noises when steering, and the power steering fluid is as full as it was a year ago. I would think if I had a leak the fluid would be going down (at least a little), but just to be safe I drained some fluid out and put in some lucas power steering sealant stuff that is supposed to help seal any seal leaks.
So, this coming Wednesday (weather permitting), I'm going to put in some new inner tie rod ends, anything else I should be checking or changing in there? Not anything too expensive, that's gonna have to wait for the next round of repairs/mods.
Thanks in advance. I don't know if I could do half the mechanical things I've done without having this site to help with all the write ups and what not! A viable tool indeed.
1999 4Runner 4WD v6 155k miles
Earlier today I take it in to get the alignment, and they say there's still a bad part, the left inner tie rod, and they can't properly perform an alignment. Obviously that needs to be replaced (might as well do them both, no sense in doing one side and having the other go bad 5,000 miles later).
My question is, while I'm in there doing that, is there other things I should look at or replace? I've heard the bushings are a good idea (and fairly cheap) and a new bushing is going to give me tighter steering than an old. On freeway speeds especially, but even around town to a certain extent, the steering has felt a little loosey goosey.
The shop also said I have a leaking rack and pinion, and thinks I need to replace the whole thing. I don't know about that, I keep pretty good maintenance on my truck since I've owned it, and other than a little bit loose or shakey steering at high speeds, there are no signs of that. No puddles, no weird noises when steering, and the power steering fluid is as full as it was a year ago. I would think if I had a leak the fluid would be going down (at least a little), but just to be safe I drained some fluid out and put in some lucas power steering sealant stuff that is supposed to help seal any seal leaks.
So, this coming Wednesday (weather permitting), I'm going to put in some new inner tie rod ends, anything else I should be checking or changing in there? Not anything too expensive, that's gonna have to wait for the next round of repairs/mods.
Thanks in advance. I don't know if I could do half the mechanical things I've done without having this site to help with all the write ups and what not! A viable tool indeed.
1999 4Runner 4WD v6 155k miles
Last edited:
