Power steering mods for lifted trucks? Such a thing?

[fasterdammit]

I have a new-to-me 2000 SR5, which has already been the recipient of some enhancements. This is both good & bad: good because I don't have to convince the CFO (mrs.fasterdammit) to let me spend oodles on items that I can't justify to her approval ("zombie apocalypse" only goes so far); but bad in that 1) I don't know exactly what has been done, 2) nor do I know how well any mods have been done.

In either case, I just brought the truck back to the dealer to repair a couple things they should've done to begin with. The biggest item being a leaking rack & pinion. (Glad I don't have to cover this!) But they tell me that at some point, someone already 'fixed' it - but not with OEM parts. To the point that the shop had to order several new bits from Toyota because they didn't recognize anything that was on the truck.

I asked if they thought it was some particular aftermarket mod to accomodate the OME lift & 35s - because those tires have gotta put a lot of strain on a steering system (they're a little wider than I'd prefer - 315/75R16's, I think, or 315/70's)

In either case, it appears I'll be getting new OEM parts installed - but I'm curious/afraid if I'm setting myself up for a failure in the near future because those parts aren't equipped to support the tires & lift.

Does this kind of thing ring a bell to anyone? Or is it more likely that someone decided to 'fix' this once before - and did it on the cheap by not replacing the whole unit. I'm under the impression they're putting in a new PS pump, high pressure lines and possibly more.

 

[jdmaccord6]

If you're worried that the new rack will "fail" on you again, i've heard of people adding in a cooler very similar to the transmission cooler on the low pressure side of the lines. It will pretty much just help out when you are actually moving so the air will help cool it, but then again when you are moving most of the time it's in a straight line where the power steering really isn't effected...

 

[03_4x4Runner]

Could use something like this. Hydraulic Assist Steering Kit

 

[fourwd1]

Without some more detailed info or pics, it would be impossible to say.

The fact that Toyota seems to be covering the repairs is surprising.

 

[fasterdammit]

@fourwd1: well, it's not Toyota that's covering the repairs, it's the shop I bought it from. I just picked it up 2-3 weeks ago, and they have a 30-day/1000mi warranty - and said they'd cover anything. Which I bet they're regretting now. I dropped it off at my buddy's shop for his professional eyeballs, and he found a couple things that would've bitten me in the @$$ at some point - the steering issue being the largest item.

03_4x4: I wonder if that's what was under there now, crap. Probably not a bad idea, even if it wasn't. We'll see I guess.

Last report from the shop: I asked if it wasn't some sort of aftermarket unit, but they said it looked more like someone's cheap way out of an otherwise expensive repair.

Does anyone happen to have a decent picture from underneath their truck of their rack & pinion? Stock or lifted, as long as it's not a Dana 60 or some other solid axle conversion?

Thanks, guys.