Replace Rack and Pinion assembly or just inner tie-rods?

[montana_jeepn]

I have two Toyota inner tie rods that i have about $250 in…..I have my rack and pinion assembly halfway off and just noticed that you can get the entire rack assembly for $550 shipped (need to verify, but it looks like it includes inners, boots, etc)….the existing one has 212k on it…..do these last a long time or should I go ahead and replace it instead of the inners (one just flops down without support)….thoughts?

 

[afg10000]

Is the rack leaking?

 

[LittleCaesar]

If no leaks, just the ITRs.

You may think about checking the play in the steering rack bushing.

 

[montana_jeepn]

It is kind hard to tell, there was some oil/grease here and there…I'll try to post some pics….could be from the engine. When I drained the lines, the power steering fluid that came out was super dark and cruddy looking. The outer tie rods were secured, not with cotter pins, but a thick piece of wire.

 

[montana_jeepn]

I discovered that it is a remanufactured unit....has "REMANF" or something in green letters. I think I will just throw this whole unit back on and run it for awhile until I start having real issues.