Rack and Pinion

Supra725

Supra725

New member
so after 270k miles.. the rack and pinion is needed to be replaced..

I would like to know is the oem the route to go.. has anyone used after market ones? is it worth rebuilding it or should I opt for an new one?

thanks.
 
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Im using an aftermarket one I just replaced it about 3k miles ago and its just as good as my OEM one. The OEM one I had started leaking next to where the steering linkage connects to it. It can be a pain in the a** mainly the line bolts are just welded on. The only way I was able to get them off was with heat.
 
Mine is leaking pretty bad too, I will see what you end up doing to see what I should do. I have 172k miles but don't know how long it's been leaking for or what kind of damage has happened since then.

I looked up OEM at auto recycling and it was just over 100 bucks pulled from a similar year model but with a heck of a lot less miles.

other options are new are about 400 bucks.

I looked also at replacing all the seals and rings and giving that a shot but from what I have seen by the time you go through all that effort, who knows if that will fix it or if anything was damaged in the beginning and you could end up having to replace it all again.

so I figure I will be getting a cheaper used one and save the hassle
 
Jedrattle said:
Thanks for the links. I have been wondering about the guide.
Click to expand...

Yeah, the guide was pretty simple and I am going to the bushings in the next few weeks. I found reman racks from $300-$700 with core, but have read that reman racks dont do too well.

This one really has my interest and will probably go that way if the guide/bushing thing doesnt go too well.

Safari LTD - Parts (New, Used Toyota, Lexus & Scion Parts)

I remembered this write up on the bushings as well...I'm still trying to get that damn center bolt.

Steering rack bushing replacement
 
BigRogers said:
So i recently as 2 weeks ago stripped about half the teeth off my front pinion gear. Needless to say I have been doing some research over the past week and have decided to go with an aftermarket company for my new gears. This all came down to what I do with the rig and the way it is set up. If your rig is a daily driver and sitting on 265 or smaller tires you will be fine going with OEM gearing (if you can find them). I have also been told not to run used gearing unless the gear mesh was measured when they were removed, so it can be rematched on the new install.

If you are running a 33" tire or larger I would recommend going up in gearing to 4:56 or 4:88 again depending on what the truck is built for. From what I have found the higher the gear ratio the lower your top speed will be, but running 33's and regearing to 4:56 will put you back closer to factory setup. Hope this helps

I have come across a few links that I hope will help you with this.
This will help you determine what you have now:
Erik's Toyota Differential info
This will help you understand the rebuild process:
Toyota gear install
Click to expand...

I'm pretty sure he's talking about the steering rack and pinion:)
 
TXRick said:
Yeah, the guide was pretty simple and I am going to the bushings in the next few weeks. I found reman racks from $300-$700 with core, but have read that reman racks dont do too well.

This one really has my interest and will probably go that way if the guide/bushing thing doesnt go too well.

Safari LTD - Parts (New, Used Toyota, Lexus & Scion Parts)

I remembered this write up on the bushings as well...I'm still trying to get that damn center bolt.

Steering rack bushing replacement
Click to expand...

Thanks for that too. I will getting all the stuff to rebuild the front end....so this info is helpful. Not looking forward to the work but I am looking forward to the lift and better handling.
 
Seems a lot of racks leaking. Guess our trucks aren't new anymore I'll be keeping an eye on this as I'm due for a rack very soon
 
I just replaced mine with a new one from toyotasteering.com. I have heard really good thing and was cheaper than OEM, I didnt get the rebuilt one, I called them and got a new manufactured one that has a lot less failure rate than rebuilt ones.

Only thing now is that the steering does not fully return straight and I have too turn her back to get it tracking straight. Also after swapping too poly mounts its super sensitive, I would rather have the stock bushings that gives you a little play. Now if I move my steering 1mm it moves the tires and I constantly recorrecting the steering to keep her straight. Making me go crazy.
 
JayRolla said:
I just replaced mine with a new one from toyotasteering.com. I have heard really good thing and was cheaper than OEM, I didnt get the rebuilt one, I called them and got a new manufactured one that has a lot less failure rate than rebuilt ones.

Only thing now is that the steering does not fully return straight and I have too turn her back to get it tracking straight. Also after swapping too poly mounts its super sensitive, I would rather have the stock bushings that gives you a little play. Now if I move my steering 1mm it moves the tires and I constantly recorrecting the steering to keep her straight. Making me go crazy.
Click to expand...

Had an alignment? Maybe get them to recheck it and tell them of the symptoms. Sounds alingmenty
 
JayRolla said:
I just replaced mine with a new one from toyotasteering.com. I have heard really good thing and was cheaper than OEM, I didnt get the rebuilt one, I called them and got a new manufactured one that has a lot less failure rate than rebuilt ones.

Only thing now is that the steering does not fully return straight and I have too turn her back to get it tracking straight. Also after swapping too poly mounts its super sensitive, I would rather have the stock bushings that gives you a little play. Now if I move my steering 1mm it moves the tires and I constantly recorrecting the steering to keep her straight. Making me go crazy.
Click to expand...

Maybe the rack guide is too tight. It's easy to back it off a hair.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/70884-how-replace-steering-rack-guide-pictures.html
 
ellner357 said:
Had an alignment? Maybe get them to recheck it and tell them of the symptoms. Sounds alingmenty
Click to expand...

Alignment is 100% on, perfect, they actually got it better than last time, I had them double check and it was still on, she tracks straight its just he steering is very sensitive and wants to track a little right or left because the rack is not holding the steering straight. I will check the guide and see if that helps any.
 
JayRolla said:
Alignment is 100% on, perfect, they actually got it better than last time, I had them double check and it was still on, she tracks straight its just he steering is very sensitive and wants to track a little right or left because the rack is not holding the steering straight. I will check the guide and see if that helps any.
Click to expand...

Oh I think I misunderstood the symptom my bad.
 
jreask said:
Maybe the rack guide is too tight. It's easy to back it off a hair.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/70884-how-replace-steering-rack-guide-pictures.html
Click to expand...

Yeah, that is what I was thinking. I'm sure they used the new style guide in your reman rack, so just back it out a little. There's a specific torque spec but I can't remember it right now. 18lbs..maybe. I couldn't find a big enough hex head to work so I made one at the hardware store. There's a picture of it in my build thread.
 
I've actually got a Safari LTD steering rack on its way to me now; after speaking with them (they've got excellent customer service) and realizing that, not counting the cheapest ones out there, an outright buy of their rack wasn't all that expensive, AND considering the fact that it's got a 2 year unlimited warranty, I figured it was worth it.

I'm having it installed either Friday or Saturday and will report back if anyone's interested.
 
Rack I just got from oreillys auto lasted 24000 miles play in the rack and inner tie rod is bad also
 
Update: Got the Safari LTD rack installed. The reason I bought it is because the rack was leaking, and had already had the bushings and the guide installed. It didn't fix the steering wheel shimmy completely, but it eliminated about 80% of it, and as I understand it, there are about 21 different things that could cause this. LOL

So far I'm satisfied...the proof's in the long-term pudding, of course. LOL
 
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