OEM reman. Steering rack lifespan

[anniesball72]

At 150k I did a complete front end rebuild. Camelback steering rack, outer tie rod ends, OEM control arms, rag joint, alignment adjustment bolts etc.
I don’t drive very much, maybe 5k a year. So now I’m at 170k 5 years later.
I had my truck on the lift and discovered my rack was leaking, the rack bushings had play and one tie rod end had play (or the rack has play?).

All I got was about 20k from the camelback rack.
The reman rack I believe only has a 1 year warranty.

I feel short changed by Toyota. I was able to get 150k out of my original rack.

I really don’t wheel, I use my 4wd for the snow on roads.

I would like to find a contact at Toyota who represents their parts and give a piece of my mind. I’m sure this is futile. Camelback couldn’t/wouldn’t do anything.

How can Toyota put their name on a sub par part? Normally I accept Toyotas short warranty because I’m buying a quality part that will last as good as new. In this case I feel Toyota is responsible, they are putting their name on it.

At this point I don’t want to rebuild or buy a rebuilt because I don’t trust what I’m getting after spending $$$$$.

What should I do?

 

[JoeT4R]

I feel like your options are rather limited at this point. My best guess would be to try and find a local junkyard and see if they have any 3rd gens. If they do, maybe check out their steering racks. But I'm not really sure what other angles you could approach this at. This is disheartening to hear about a toyota branded product. Do you think maybe you just got a bad rack? I don't personally know of anyone who has a reman or aftermarket one.

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[nissanh]

Make sure you used a good branded ATF such as Mobil1, Valvoline etc., Cheap ATF will leak.

 

[pluton]

You also have the option to buy a new rack. The new rack I had installed in 2014 has gone 70K miles w/o issue.

 

[brillo_76]

Hmm.. something is not adding up here. Mostly Toyota oem remfg parts are the same as new oem parts.

I would talk to the parts rep where you bought it and see what they suggest.

If that's a dead end then Maybe the Toyota regional rep for your area.

Now, is all your parts oem ? With oem rim and tire factory tire sizes?

The reasons I ask is these front ends are known to have Lower ball joint issues as well as steering rack issues.

If folks choose to modify these things with lifts and oversized tires and rims then it Maybe the price we have to pay for doing these mods.

I have been fortunate for over 30 years not having one bad steering rack.

However, I don't off road, lift or run any tires or rims that are not factory spec.

Maybe your like me. I honestly don't know. I just know from experience and observing Toyotas since the 1980s.

Modifying things can majorly shorten component lifetime and cause components to fail.


It also seems the steering racks really prefer their dexron fluid or equivalent. Like other members have mentioned.



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