Steering rack - Any change for 01/02?

[Nelsonmd]

I know that the steering rack guide changed in 01, but did anything else on the rack change?

I need to replace my steering rack, and if there are no other differences, I might as well order an 01/02 steering rack so that it comes with the updated guide. I need to know if there are any other changes that would make an 01/02 rack incompatible with my 00.

 

[N1njha]

I know that the steering rack guide changed in 01, but did anything else on the rack change?

I need to replace my steering rack, and if there are no other differences, I might as well order an 01/02 steering rack so that it comes with the updated guide. I need to know if there are any other changes that would make an 01/02 rack incompatible with my 00.

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

 

[Nelsonmd]

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

That sounds good, but can you not order on their website? There doesn't seem to be any actual links on that page.

Has anyone used Safari for a steering rack? Who "re-engineered" their racks? I notice that the picture is of an 01/02 rack, just curious if the "re-engineering" they are referring to is the updated rack guide that Toyota came up with.

 

[afg10000]

Check this thread. http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/151382-rockauto-aae-new-steering-rack.html
I'm 94% sure that the only difference on the earlier racks vs. the 01-02 racks would be the guide.

 

[TheDurk]

It's not a guarantee, but when I reverse search the rack part number listed for my '99, I get this:

Part 44250-35041 (GEAR ASSY, POWER STEERING(FOR RACK & PINION)) was found on the following models:

Date range Model Frames/Options Found in diagram
11/1995-07/2002 TOYOTA 4RUNNER RZN18*,VZN18* 45-05: FRONT STEERING GEAR & LINK
01/1995-08/2004 TOYOTA TACOMA RZN161,171,VZN160,170 45-05: FRONT STEERING GEAR & LINK
01/1995-08/2004 TOYOTA TACOMA RZN140,150,19*,VZN150,195 45-05: FRONT STEERING GEAR & LINK

http://www.toyodiy.com/parts/xref?v=E_199903_TOYOTA_4RUNNER_VZN185L-GKMGKA_4505.2&s=44250-35041&mU=on

This would lead me to believe that it's the same rack over the whole model range.

 

[JayRolla]

When I ordered mine from toyota steering.com they sent me the updated guide even for the 1996 when I ordered it. Almost all new remans are using the updated guide. But I also bought a brand new unit instead of a reman from them.

My toyota steering rack has got about 2-4" of slop in it, Ive tried everything to fix it. Im not happy with this rack needless to say. OEM was a few hundred more but think I will go that route next time.

 

[Nelsonmd]

Well, I have been shopping around, and the AAE rack that supposedly has the brass bushings doesn't appear to be available for $250 like is stated in the link afg10000 posted (thanks btw, I had forgotten about that thread). Rock Auto no longer carries it.

Looking at the AAE website, they show multiple PN's as being "their" racks, include the Maval, OEM, Cardone, etc. so I am beginning to wonder if they do pretty much all of them, which would be strange since they don't all have brass bushings.

Anyway, I need to do the fix this weekend since I am still hemorrhaging fluid, so I am going the go with the Napa one. I'll try to check it for the bushings to let you know if they are plastic or brass.

JayRolla, if you want CJ's rack, go for it, I think I prefer new parts anyway.

Funny enough, Napa just dropped the price on their premium reman rack from $319 to $287. I checked it yesterday and it was $319, so they dropped the price last night.

 

[txbonds]

I did an A1 cardone reman from advance auto a few weeks ago and so far so good. Has new bushing style as I used part number for 2002 4runner even though mines a 97. Also includes lifetime warranty and they price matched parts geek dot com so I got it for $227 with a $115 core charge refunded when I took mine back. Would have preferred new toyota but can buy almost 3 of these for what that costs.

 

[Nelsonmd]

See, the cardone one is $388 plus core here in New England. Pretty shocking that the price difference is that different. That is what I have run into at every turn, the ones folks got for cheap are expensive in my area.