Steering rack leak. OEM?

the_welfare_wagon

the_welfare_wagon

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So where the input shaft goes into my steering rack has started leaking. Very very slow leak. 1000+ miles on this leak and the reservoir is still not near empty but leaks only get worse never better so I’m looking into replacing it. I’ve had a few friends who have used aftermarket racks and had good luck so far. Is the consensus for the rack use only OEM like the LBJ or it doesn’t matter?

I don’t think 500 dollar price is horrible for an OEM rack but if I can get away with a 250 dollar rack then I’ll be happy.

Thoughts?


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I bought an OEM in 2015. Still no leaks/issues after ≈60K miles including maybe 2K on dirt roads/trails. $250 more for *the best there is* isn't bad, budget allowing.
 
pluton said:
I bought an OEM in 2015. Still no leaks/issues after ≈60K miles including maybe 2K on dirt roads/trails. $250 more for *the best there is* isn't bad, budget allowing.
Click to expand...


Yeah that was my reasoning as well. Buy OEM and never have to do the job again. This one lasted 26 years/370k so I might as well put something back in that will do the same. These trucks seem to know the difference between OEM and aftermarket anyhow


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Following. I'm interested in this for the future. I don't have the funds to throw a new rack in right now, but I'm willing to bet that after 321K miles a new steering rack would tighten things up a lot and make it drive like new again.

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Aftermarket ones usually don't last, although there is one or two sources that supposedly makes "upgraded" ones that are essentially OEM remans that seem to do well. I would shop the best price you can for a genuine Toyota one online if you can afford it, otherwise go with a warrantied used one.
 
What goes bad in the steering racks? Are they worth resealing?

I only seen one in a tocuma rust through the housing.

So more curious as to what fails in them.

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My mechanic said only oem. They replaced three aftermarket racks because they were shit before spending the money on an oem that will last
 
brillo_76 said:
What goes bad in the steering racks? Are they worth resealing?

I only seen one in a tocuma rust through the housing.

So more curious as to what fails in them.

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Click to expand...


So if you follow this link

Options for leaking Steering Rack

This is exactly where mine is leaking. You CAN replace just that top part but I hear it’s not worth it and it’s easier to just do the whole rack and at 370k I’m inclined to believe that a whole new rack will tighten things up. From the looks of Toyota parts websites they used to sell that top part as one whole piece but it was discontinued.

I’d say if your rack is low enough miles it’s definitely worth resealing especially if you can find an OEM seal kit.

I’m very inclined to buy a cheap rock auto one but seeing as how aftermarket tie rods last like 20k miles on my car I’m just gonna go OEM and not have to worry.


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I've only heard nightmares with aftermarket racks. They don't last long. One guy on a 3rd Gen 4runner Facebook page said it was his 5th time replacing the steering rack. He bought one from an auto parts store with a lifetime warranty. I commented and asked what he thought his time was worth.

If you buy an OEM rack, you also get new OEM inner tie rods, which bought separately are around $300. The OEM rack is the way to go, so it's one and done.

And, you can use my video as a tutorial to swap it out.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wZoRP5ogrK0" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>


t
 
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the_welfare_wagon said:
So if you follow this link

Options for leaking Steering Rack

This is exactly where mine is leaking. You CAN replace just that top part but I hear it’s not worth it and it’s easier to just do the whole rack and at 370k I’m inclined to believe that a whole new rack will tighten things up. From the looks of Toyota parts websites they used to sell that top part as one whole piece but it was discontinued.

I’d say if your rack is low enough miles it’s definitely worth resealing especially if you can find an OEM seal kit.

I’m very inclined to buy a cheap rock auto one but seeing as how aftermarket tie rods last like 20k miles on my car I’m just gonna go OEM and not have to worry.


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Click to expand...

I've seen a video of the process of rebuilding one of these racks. It looks like a pain in the ass to do. Don't know how much the rebuild kit costs, but after watching the video, I'd be glad paying the $500 for a new one from Toyota.

I think this video is the one I watched.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/NRdLsdymNP0" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>


t
 
You can try some AT-205 re-seal if you need a stop-gap for a while. Many good reports, no negative ones. ATP Automotive AT-205 Re-Seal

Other than that, the OEM rack is a reasonable deal. It sounds expensive until you realize it comes with new OEM inner tie-rods and will last you another 20 years... (I did mine a few years back with new OEM - no complaints!)

-Charlie
 
Yup! "Buy Nice, or Buy Twice."


Go new OEM and don't look back. If your undercarriage isn't blasted with rust etc., it's a few hour job with no ripping apart an already compromised original rack.
 
GhostRing said:
Yup! "Buy Nice, or Buy Twice."


Go new OEM and don't look back. If your undercarriage isn't blasted with rust etc., it's a few hour job with no ripping apart an already compromised original rack.
Click to expand...


Yes exactly, I once heard the saying “I’m too poor to buy cheap shit”

I recently replaced the bushings so I had the rack all but removed so it should be an easy enough job to do again. Though with this cold I’ll probably wait till the leak gets worse and I’ll have the other OEM rack on standby. I’m sure someday soon I’ll come out of work and find a puddle underneath.


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Being they stopped remfg transmissions. How long before getting a remfg steering rack from Toyota is no longer an option?

I suspect in a few years or less this will no longer be an option as well..:(

I haven't seen a toyota steering rack fail yet. Granted I don't lift, off road or put mega large tires on the 3rd gens either.

Probably another weak spot in the design.

It's good to know even if its a pita they can be rebuilt. As that's the route I go if I ever have an issue with one. :)

Great information thank you. :)

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the_welfare_wagon said:
Yes exactly, I once heard the saying “I’m too poor to buy cheap shit”

I recently replaced the bushings so I had the rack all but removed so it should be an easy enough job to do again. Though with this cold I’ll probably wait till the leak gets worse and I’ll have the other OEM rack on standby. I’m sure someday soon I’ll come out of work and find a puddle underneath.
Click to expand...
If you are going to wait for spring, put in some AT-205 in the system and it should reduce the leak until you can get to it...

-Charlie
 
phattyduck said:
If you are going to wait for spring, put in some AT-205 in the system and it should reduce the leak until you can get to it...

-Charlie
Click to expand...


Yeah I’m gonna see if my local autozone has it on the way home. Then if not I’ll try Amazon. Hopefully I have good luck with it. If I can prevent the leak from growing till spring then I’ll be pretty happy


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the_welfare_wagon said:
Yeah I’m gonna see if my local autozone has it on the way home. Then if not I’ll try Amazon. Hopefully I have good luck with it. If I can prevent the leak from growing till spring then I’ll be pretty happy


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Click to expand...
It really should. Just slightly thicker fluid should slow the leak down... :) I don't blame you waiting to spring as it's kinda brutal outside here..

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Just bought new ITRs before I noticed my rack had a super small leak on it. The inside of the boot had a drip or two in it when I went to clean them up to reinstall them. That being said since I just dropped $ on the ITRs I think once the rack starts leaking a little more I’m going to attempt rebuilding the rack with an oem rebuild kit (roughly 90$ from partsouq). Definitely not for the faint of heart though. Here is the walkthrough I’ll be using when/if I do it. Part# for rebuild kit: 0444535160

Rack & Pinion Service Tools & tips | Tacoma World
 
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