Steering rack in the UK?

[FabMMoi]

Hi guys,

Anyone on the UK who'd have some good advice about where to get a steering rack & pinions around here?

I'm guessing there are a few options available (parted Surfs, OEM from compatible Toyota model distributed locally, import of a US reman...), looking for something #1 cheap and #2 durable

Thanks!

edit: of course for a LHD, would be too easy otherwise ;-)

 

[Bad Luck]

Hi guys,

Anyone on the UK who'd have some good advice about where to get a steering rack & pinions around here?

I'm guessing there are a few options available (parted Surfs, OEM from compatible Toyota model distributed locally, import of a US reman...), looking for something #1 cheap and #2 durable

Thanks!

edit: of course for a LHD, would be too easy otherwise ;-)

When it comes to steering racks you can either have cheap OR durable. Pick one.

 

[JohnMc]

My wife originally put a rebuilt rack (with a WARRANTY!) on her '96 after the original one lasted a couple of hundred thousand miles and a couple of decades. The rebuilt rack started getting leaky in a pretty short time period, I forget exactly how short. A year, maybe a bit more? Sure, it had a warranty, but the price of the part is only part of the bigger picture of all the work removing and replacing it (not entirely simple on the 4Runner).

Instead of putting another 'rebuilt' one on, she paid a bit more and got a new one from Toyota. It's lasted a long while already, and it will likely last the same 20 years/200K the first one did. At least, more likely to do so than a hastily rebuilt/mostly repainted rack. Not sure what the availability and cost is in the UK, but looking the price up at Camelback here int he US a new one is only around $550-ish, money well spent vs. repeatedly hassling with it.

 

[FabMMoi]

Yeah I'd be glad to put OEM, but at this point it's more about finding anything that can ship to the UK... Couldn't find anything under 700 USD + 150 to 200 of shipping. That'd probably mean the end of that truck, unfortunately, despite all the good memories...

 

[RandyBobandy]

Have you tried partsouq.com?

 

[Twisted Sid]

Would getting a rebuild kit with seals and guides be a cheaper and better option?

 

[FabMMoi]

Not available from Partsouq unfortunately.
[MENTION=130022]Twisted Sid[/MENTION] you're right, that could be the cheaper way to do. From what I could read somewhere else it'd still be 500+ and having to order multiple parts generally means multiple deliveries from all parts of the world. Still a bit tough really...

 

[nissanh]

Partsouq is not always out of stock. They'll replenish soon. My corolla's lower control arms were out and they got 2 pairs in stock now.

Try Amayama.com (I've bought it and is reliable): Recently heard about Japan4x4.com they might have it but no experience with them. How about ebay.co.uk? I buy Cortina MK3 parts from UK and get it shipped to my mother-in-law there. Shipping from UK to USA is very expensive.

You can also buy the rebuild kit and rebuild it if you have time and patience. Lots of videos on youtube about rebuilding racks.

 

[FabMMoi]

Partsouq is not always out of stock. They'll replenish soon. My corolla's lower control arms were out and they got 2 pairs in stock now.

Try Amayama.com (I've bought it and is reliable): Recently heard about Japan4x4.com they might have it but no experience with them. How about ebay.co.uk? I buy Cortina MK3 parts from UK and get it shipped to my mother-in-law there. Shipping from UK to USA is very expensive.

You can also buy the rebuild kit and rebuild it if you have time and patience. Lots of videos on youtube about rebuilding racks.

Thanks [MENTION=85046]nissanh[/MENTION], I'll keep having a look. How would you search in Amayama? I'm afraid that even with my tiny bit of knowledge of Japanese I'm out of my depth there . Couldn't see a way to search by VIN or model to find compatible stuff, neither Toyota OEM by parts code?

Tried on ebay.co.uk, unfortunately nothing... well, one thing coming from Hong Kong and that was 1000 USD including shipping. That's the core of the problem: this car has never existed here, the only few existing (that are also aging) are Japanese Surfs, and they're RHD while mine is LHD. Works ok for some parts, but not for a steering rack (also had the issue with a radiator and some 5VZFE-specific parts as no import got that engine). The perks of having a unique car in the country

 

[nissanh]

You got a US model?

Thanks [MENTION=85046]nissanh[/MENTION], I'll keep having a look. How would you search in Amayama? I'm afraid that even with my tiny bit of knowledge of Japanese I'm out of my depth there . Couldn't see a way to search by VIN or model to find compatible stuff, neither Toyota OEM by parts code?

Tried on ebay.co.uk, unfortunately nothing... well, one thing coming from Hong Kong and that was 1000 USD including shipping. That's the core of the problem: this car has never existed here, the only few existing (that are also aging) are Japanese Surfs, and they're RHD while mine is LHD. Works ok for some parts, but not for a steering rack (also had the issue with a radiator and some 5VZFE-specific parts as no import got that engine). The perks of having a unique car in the country

I didn't know you have a US spec 4runner. Thought it was a Hilux Surf. The Amayama is in English and just like partouq.com. Enter the vin and search the part. MIne is at 215K miles and not a single drop of leak in the steering rack.

Are you using good branded ATF fluid? Other cheap ATP fluids will leak. It happened to our Hilux because we used a non-name brand ATF. After doing a fluid flush with Mobil-1, the leak went away completely!

 

[FabMMoi]

Yes using the accurate Toyota ATF. Seems to happen on quite a few cars though, regardless of their origin (multiple threads in this forum)