Leaking Steering Rack / Replace input seal?

[calnhob]

Has anyone replaced the input seal on their steering rack w/ OEM parts?

Started getting a leak from the input seal area (red circle). It got a lot worse after some off-roading. I know you can replace that seal but haven't seen a lot of documentation on it.

Seems like more just replace the whole SR instead of the input seal. I only found one YT video from 9 yrs ago of someone doing it. Even Tim doesn't have a video on it.

 

[the_welfare_wagon]

I had the exact same issue. It’s better to just replace the whole rack. OEM isn’t a bad price either. I got mine for less than 600 from McGeorge Toyota.

Granted my rack had 375k miles on it when I replaced it so unless yours has less than 100k on it I’d just replace the whole thing. It’s pretty easy to do


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[mtbtim]

I saw a video of some dude rebuilding one. I think he was Russian. He did a great job showing the process. What I took from that video is it looks like a serious pain in the ass for little reward. After you factor in the cost of the rebuild kit and your time, an OEM replacement rack seemed like the better way to go.

I do wonder if you could easily replace just that seal though. The question is, who sells just that seal and it's not part of a complete rebuild kit?

 

[Bad Luck]

I saw a video of some dude rebuilding one. I think he was Russian. He did a great job showing the process. What I took from that video is it looks like a serious pain in the ass for little reward. After you factor in the cost of the rebuild kit and your time, an OEM replacement rack seemed like the better way to go.

I do wonder if you could easily replace just that seal though. The question is, who sells just that seal and it's not part of a complete rebuild kit?

My thoughts exactly. I value my time enough to just go with an OEM rack vs rebuilding my own. I'd probably manage to mess up the rebuild process somehow anyway. That's just my luck.

 

[calnhob]

I saw a video of some dude rebuilding one. I think he was Russian. He did a great job showing the process. What I took from that video is it looks like a serious pain in the ass for little reward. After you factor in the cost of the rebuild kit and your time, an OEM replacement rack seemed like the better way to go.

I do wonder if you could easily replace just that seal though. The question is, who sells just that seal and it's not part of a complete rebuild kit?

I know you can just replace the seal, saw a vid on it. I think Toyota also sells just the seal but I need to confirm.

 

[thezentree]

I had the exact same issue. It’s better to just replace the whole rack. OEM isn’t a bad price either. I got mine for less than 600 from McGeorge Toyota.

Granted my rack had 375k miles on it when I replaced it so unless yours has less than 100k on it I’d just replace the whole thing. It’s pretty easy to do


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All of this. Getting the flare nuts off the input was a FIGHT on mine, but it eventually came apart. You'd have to do that to replace the seal anyway, and my steering is way tighter with a new rack.

 

[spartacus]

Has anyone replaced the input seal on their steering rack w/ OEM parts?

Started getting a leak from the input seal area (red circle). It got a lot worse after some off-roading. I know you can replace that seal but haven't seen a lot of documentation on it.

Seems like more just replace the whole SR instead of the input seal. I only found one YT video from 9 yrs ago of someone doing it. Even Tim doesn't have a video on it.

No one has tried it. Give it a go if you like.

Hydraulic Power Steering Rack Rebuild. Koyo OEM - YouTube

 

[T4topher]

No one has tried it. Give it a go if you like.

Hydraulic Power Steering Rack Rebuild. Koyo OEM - YouTube

Actually that is a bit different than the 3rd gen rack I’m pretty sure. I looked into doing this a while back and there is a really thorough guide on tacomaworld, I’ll see if I can find it. This guy rebuilt the part of the rack that OP is trying to rebuild. Looks like a PITA lol.

Resealing the Rack & Pinion on a 3rd Gen 4Runner: Can it be done? - Clapped out 4Runner Series - YouTube

Edit: found the guide on tacomaworld

Rack & Pinion Service Tools & tips | Tacoma World

 

[calnhob]

Actually that is a bit different than the 3rd gen rack I’m pretty sure. I looked into doing this a while back and there is a really thorough guide on tacomaworld, I’ll see if I can find it. This guy rebuilt the part of the rack that OP is trying to rebuild. Looks like a PITA lol.

Resealing the Rack & Pinion on a 3rd Gen 4Runner: Can it be done? - Clapped out 4Runner Series - YouTube

Edit: found the guide on tacomaworld

Rack & Pinion Service Tools & tips | Tacoma World

Thanks, I now remember his video on it as I was following the build. Def a good reminder why most just go with a w/ a new R&P.

Ended up purchasing an OEM rack.