Power Steering rack replacement.... info needed!

[fightman80]

Hey guys,

Looks like Mean Green needs a power steering rack.... anybody know of a good video or writeup on how to change these things?

How about price?? How much do these babies cost?? Labor cost to have someone put it in???

Just looking to arm myself with some info before I go talk to a garage about doing it for me... and thinking if it's simple enough... I may just do it myself.

 

[541joseph]

Never done one but doesn't look to difficult. I think that after you get the linkages off it's just 4 bolts and 2-4 lines.

 

[shootmymime]

Hey guys,

Looks like Mean Green needs a power steering rack.... anybody know of a good video or writeup on how to change these things?

How about price?? How much do these babies cost?? Labor cost to have someone put it in???

Just looking to arm myself with some info before I go talk to a garage about doing it for me... and thinking if it's simple enough... I may just do it myself.

I did mine last year. its pretty simple


pull tires
wrap a bunjee cord on from the steering wheel to the brake pedal so the wheel does not spin can cause the clock spring to snap.
Remove the outer tie rod ends from the steering knuckle.
maybe pull the sway bar end links.
there are 5-6 bolts holding the rack in. 2 on the passenger side, one up top is a bolt the one on the bottom is a nut on a stud (like me), 1 is like directly under the center of the bell housing (tranny) in the center of the rack vertical so its a tight fit trying to get it out. then the other is on the driver side. pretty simple
the other one or two are the ones on the steering shaft.

then of course the 2 power steering hoses.

i think you should be able to have is all done it 2-3 hours. its a pretty simple job but some bolts are a bit tight. you should have no problem to it.

 

[fightman80]

Nice to hear.... do you remember how much it cost to buy the rack??

 

[txbonds]

I did mine last year. its pretty simple


pull tires
wrap a bunjee cord on from the steering wheel to the brake pedal so the wheel does not spin can cause the clock spring to snap.
Remove the outer tie rod ends from the steering knuckle.
maybe pull the sway bar end links.
there are 5-6 bolts holding the rack in. 2 on the passenger side, one up top is a bolt the one on the bottom is a nut on a stud (like me), 1 is like directly under the center of the bell housing (tranny) in the center of the rack vertical so its a tight fit trying to get it out. then the other is on the driver side. pretty simple
the other one or two are the ones on the steering shaft.

then of course the 2 power steering hoses.

i think you should be able to have is all done it 2-3 hours. its a pretty simple job but some bolts are a bit tight. you should have no problem to it.

Why pull the tires? I didn't pull them on mine. Safer working under truck with tires still on anyway. Just remove rack as indicated and put new rack on. Leaving tires in same spot will even help you get tie rod ends back to same position. Once installed then lift so you can turn back and forth to get air out of lines.

 

[RedDragonATL]

I just recently did this and got this AAE steering rack. Rockauto has it for a pretty good price, less than $200 after core return.

More Information for AAE 3273

Good luck!

 

[JayRolla]

Good tip is make sure the new rack is centered. They usually come centered but to make sure you want to go from lock to lock on the new rack counting how many turns it takes and take half of that to find the center. If its not centered you can break the clock springs which is a PITA to fix. Mine was about an entire turn off when I got my new rack.

I DONT recommend going with Toyota Steering Rack and Gear Box. I paid $350 for new unit. Inner tie rod ends failed as soon as it was installed. There customer service is horrible. Called three times with messages and over 10 emails with zero replies from anyone for warranty replacement. I just installed my old oem 230k mileage ITRE's and they are still solid.

 

[fightman80]

I've ordered a Remanufactured unit from the local Napa... but it's gonna run me $588.00! I'll look into Rock Auto.com...

Thanks for the replies guys.... I'd still like to hear from anybody else who has done this. I've heard people say this is a hard job to tackle.... and then I've heard it's easy.... just takes time to do...

 

[ugamurph]

I went with a rack from Safari-LTD. I've been pleased. I'm a self taught "mechanic" and had no trouble installing the rack. It's fairly straightforward. The hardest part was getting the PS lines screwed into the steering box. There's not much room to work with up there.
I replaced the outer tie rods at the same time with genuine Toyota parts.

 

[ugamurph]

From Safari-LTD.com
"Play in the inner tie rods and rack housing is very common on Tacoma, Tundra, Sequoia and 3rd Generation 4Runners. Our experience has shown the original rack is not up to the task of truck and SUV use; and tends to wear out in a year’s time –give or take. Our steering racks have been reengineered with this in mind making for a longer lasting better quality product with a great price; not to mention there is a 2 year unlimited mile warranty to back it up."

They offer great customer service and are extremely knowledgable about Toyotas.

 

[fightman80]

I've sent them an E-mail..... but not holding my breath, because alot of places State-side don't like to ship to Canada. IF so... and the price is right.... I'm going for it!

 

[TBuzz]

Safari Ltd

I ordered one from Safari yesterday. If you are in the market I think there are several pros to theirs over an OEM one. After calling and speaking with someone there and doing my research I couldn't pass it up. I managed to get a great deal. You never know what you can get unless you ask.

 

[JayRolla]

I ordered one from Safari yesterday. If you are in the market I think there are several pros to theirs over an OEM one. After calling and speaking with someone there and doing my research I couldn't pass it up. I managed to get a great deal. You never know what you can get unless you ask.

I personally don't think there is much difference between there's and others racks. I never trust anyone who says oem only last a year. My rack lasted 200k miles before It needed replaced and that was 18 years.

 

[ARC]

Safari LTD is local to me and though I have not specifically done any research into the steering rack I can say their knowledge and service is top notch. These are not the kind of people who recommend parts just to make an extra buck.

I was in there yesterday and talking with one of their newest techs and 3rd Gen steering rack failure came up. He said he has been replacing about 3 a week since he started there. Now keep in mind I would guess at least 40% of their costumers drive lifted Toyotas and drive them off-road regularly.

As far as ordering I would call them on the phone if possible. Otherwise I would email [email protected]

 

[ARC]

I ordered one from Safari yesterday. If you are in the market I think there are several pros to theirs over an OEM one. After calling and speaking with someone there and doing my research I couldn't pass it up. I managed to get a great deal. You never know what you can get unless you ask.

If you can remember I would like to hear what they say the pros over oem is. Also if you don't mind what did you have to pay for one?

 

[hrt4me]

Looks like Mean Green needs a power steering rack....

what symptoms led you to assess you need to replace your power steering rack?

 

[the great him]

i went with a safari LTD rack, and its been almost a year now, no complaints and i would highly recommend it. it has held up to my 35s and snow wheeling very well. i also did poly bushings in the LCAs at the same time and poly on the rack as well. just make sure you flush the PS system first before you install. other than that the install is very straightforward.

 

[ARC]

i went with a safari LTD rack, and its been almost a year now, no complaints and i would highly recommend it. it has held up to my 35s and snow wheeling very well. i also did poly bushings in the LCAs at the same time and poly on the rack as well. just make sure you flush the PS system first before you install. other than that the install is very straightforward.

What source did you use for the LCA bushings? Mine need replaced but will probably wait until after summer. Those are EXPENSIVE!

 

[the great him]

i used whiteline bushings, to my knowledge they are the only makers of poly bushings for our lower control arms...

 

[nobb]

I haven't done mine, but it would seem the hard part is to get the power steering lines off. There's not much room in there for a wrench on the lines.