Replacement power steering rack bushings

[Socco]

This project is a major PITA. It took me about 3 hours to finish and a lot of foul words. Air tools are your friends and you have to remove the sway bar no matter what. Definitely worth it though.

Funny, I was half way done tightening the drivers side bolt when I said to myself "Why am I not using the impact?"

I didn't pull the sway bar out, it was in the way, but not as much as the tranny pan.

 

[poleclimber63]

In process...

I ordered bushings from Wheelers and started the replacement this week. It has been a little of a PITA! I broke one set of slip-joint pliers, and discovered I need taller jack stands!! I also discovered that my drivers side plastic skid plate is broken in several places.... What I would give for a hoist......

I totally agree with Socco about air tools, due to space, the only way to get the bolts/nuts off was to (soak in liquid wrench of course, first) hit them with power tools! As I don't have air, I used an electric 1/2" drive impact driver, this was absolutely essential!

I would also like to thank everyone who posted links to the job! Thanks guys!!

 

[eatmorechickenx]

Just ordered. Gonna try to knock out my vibration. Thanks for all the tips.

 

[01thunder]

bought the kit at pep boys and did this today without problems. the alignment, which i thought was off, is dead on now.
i did notice though, that upon finishing and moving the wheel, i can still see the rack move a tiny bit. is that normal? all bolts are tight and nothing is missing.

 

[JayRolla]

Yes thats what bushing are made for. Movement. If the rack was solid and bolted directly it would not move but you also would feel everything from the road through the steering. I have poly bushings and kind of miss the new stock bushings, they gave a little more play which allowed the steering to feel a little less sensitive.

 

[01thunder]

Yes thats what bushing are made for. Movement. If the rack was solid and bolted directly it would not move but you also would feel everything from the road through the steering. I have poly bushings and kind of miss the new stock bushings, they gave a little more play which allowed the steering to feel a little less sensitive.

i installed the energy poly kit and i don't feel anything. granted, i only do street driving but the streets/roads here in florida aren't that great either. nice easy upgrade.
i am glad of being a part of this forum. in a month's time, i have learned a lot about what to do with and to these trucks.

 

[Leftfoot]

Hello, super noob here trying to find the right bushing kit for my 1998 4runner sr5 v6 2wd can someone point me in the right direction or link thank you.

 

[Leftfoot]

Nvm I found it but what is the difference between energysuspension vs wheelers site? Or are the the same, thanks in advance

 

[kishanSR5]

Bump to a really old thread. I just completed this job as of an hour ago. I used the poly steering rack bushing kit from wheelers offroad, and boy is there a huge difference. I thought I was driving a different/new truck, it feels really good. I also have a quick tip for anyone doing this in the future. So once you have all the bolts/nuts out for the bushings the you can see the lip on the stock driverside and center mount bushings. Cut the lip with a sharp knife and then here is what i did that took out the center bushing in 2 secs, and it saved from spending 20 mins twisting and turning to get it out. I have a craftsman electric impact wrench and i put a 3" extension on it, then i inserted the extension into the sleeve of the bushing. I then pulled the trigger and applied pressure to create friction between the bushing sleeve and the spinning extension and the two bite then the bushing comes out the other side easily. I wish I had a video to show what I meant, but I feel like that description is detailed enough for someone to follow. The two hardest parts about this job I felt were getting the stock bushings out, and then putting the bolts back together once all the new bushings were installed.

 

[eflo]

bumping this thread, took me about 2 hours yesterday. did not jack up the truck, did not remove any tie rods, did not remove the sway bar, and did not use any clamps only because i couldnt find one in my tool box. i pretty much used this write up

02 Steering Rack Bushing Replacment

Their method for removing the center and drivers side bushings worked, the center bolt and getting the rack back in place to put the bolts back in is the PIA. I used a breaker bar then a 1/2" ratchet then a ratcheting wrench for the center bolt.

 

[3bears]

in a sad way......this job is in my near future

ive had my car in the shop and they said no issues,...but I questioned that

today, I had my grandson sit in the seat and rock the steering wheel back and forth , left to right, I could see the rack move
I had hoped it was something like a tie rod end.....nope...the rack

 

[Scramble]

I did this last Fri night & just got an alignment this morning. I'll let you all know if my steering is better.

 

[csp]

Amazon has the same kit that Wheeler's sells for those with Prime memberships (free shipping and lower price actually).

Their website will incorrectly state that it doesn't fit a 3rd gen however.

 

[Scramble]

Amazon has the same kit that Wheeler's sells for those with Prime memberships (free shipping and lower price actually).

Their website will incorrectly state that it doesn't fit a 3rd gen however.

It's probably listed for a Taco like most other sites.

 

[3bears]

confused

was getting ready to order the ones on amazon, that people ( in several posts)on the forum say fit the later (2000) even though amazon says it does not
energy suspension 8.10101

then I thought I would just check flea bay and came up with this number
8.10103

so then went direct to energy suspensions site, and they list the 8.10103 for my 2000

but then I go to amazon and it says that does not fit my toyota

now im confused...........

 

[csp]

You can't trust Amazons "fit" charts. I installed the 8.10101 within the last few weeks.

I suspect the difference between the 8.10101 and the 8.10103 is the durometer (hardness) of the polyurethane. The 8.10103 is the one that Energy suspension lists for the '96-02 4Runner.

 

[stir_fry_boy]

You can't trust Amazons "fit" charts. I installed the 8.10101 within the last few weeks.

I suspect the difference between the 8.10101 and the 8.10103 is the durometer (hardness) of the polyurethane. The 8.10103 is the one that Energy suspension lists for the '96-02 4Runner.

I used the 8.10103 today. No issues with fitment. Man the rack was difficult to get bolted back in. Fighting the center bushing was my issue. I did it myself with no big clamps. steering is much tighter now. Took me way longer than I thought.

Next will be new UCA for longer travel and rear sway bar bushings I bought with the 8.10103.

 

[Scramble]

I did this last Fri night & just got an alignment this morning. I'll let you all know if my steering is better.

The steering is like brand new, absolutely amazing!

 

[LowBrau]

I ordered the Moog kit:

MOOG-K200769 - Front Rack and Pinion Mounting Bushings made by MOOG

For some reason, it looks smaller. But Moog and AutoPartsWarehouse both have this listed for the 99 4runner. So I'm a bit confused.

I got under the truck today and was going to start this process, however realized that I don't have a 19mm or 22mm, so I'm off to the depot to pick those up.

Anyone use the Moog kit? It looks like it only replaces two bushings. And the D Bushing looks smaller. Not sure if it will stretch.

 

[infamousRNR]

Does anyone know of any good write ups for this job?...

I went to the ih8mud forum but all his picture links are broken...


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