Need a new steering rack. Some questions...

[trd_4runnin]

Well it looks as though I will be needing a new steering rack. Mine is bleeding from the passenger side inner tie-rod end boot. I have a few questions before I get started on this.

1. First off, my dad is the Parts Manager at the local Toyota dealership and is going to check on the price for me tomorrow. Is there anywhere else I can find one?

2. Mine went bad at around 100,000 miles. Is this typical? Should I be hesitant to purchase a used rack with comparable miles?

3. How likely is it that this was due to off-roading? I have owned my 4Runner about 8 months and have probably been off-road about 10 times. They have been nothing too technical just little mud trails and I was never off-road longer than 46-60 minutes. Most of the time it was soft mud, but the areas I go are pretty rutted up. Also I try and get all the mud off ASAP. So be straight with me, how likely is it that I caused this damage myself?

Thanks!

 

[Ohio4R]

You didnt cause the problems. It just some normal wear and tear, the seals inside just wear out over time letting PS fluid leak into the dust boot. I would suggest that you just buy a brand new rack, just so that you dont have any problems. Search around online im pretty sure they are around $300.

 

[bmguns50]

I will be replacing mine this weekend, it is a 97 with 165k miles. If you are still looking for the part, I ordered mine through buysteering.com. It was $295 plus $175 core charge. I posted this info on yotatech and you can find a ton of info on there as well. Here is a link to the thread:



Good Luck!!

 

[trd_4runnin]

Thanks for the replies. After doing some searching on yotatech I have found out that this is a relatively common issue with these trucks.

bmguns50, does your power steering rack come with tie rods and all that jazz? I have found that I can get a Toyota re-manufactured one for about $400 out the door that comes with new tie rods. I'm thinking this is going to be the easiest route for me. Thanks!

 

[bmguns50]

The one I ordered did not come with the outer tie rods. $400 out the door with tie rods is good if you are needing to replace them as well. I meant to mention that if you are replacing the rack go with the polyurethane bushings as well. You can get those for $20 delivered from ES.