Steering Rack Replacement - Safari or...

gamefreakgc

gamefreakgc

Elite Member
So I've been watching it for a while, and my steering rack has finally given up on life after a bumpy ride the other day. Leaks and steering is very sloppy.

I was reading up showing that the Safari racks were identical to an item on Rock Auto... but now that I'm looking for them I can't seem to find the one that was mentioned. Does anyone know if that one is still being offered? If not I'll just get a Safari one.

Anything else I should be looking to change while the 4Runner is under the knife? I've already done:

Sway bar bushings
LBJ's
Steering rack bushings
New rack guide (moot point now)
Coils/Struts

Was thinking maybe LCA bushings? Never done them before. UBJ's maybe?
 
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I called safari and they said they receive the racks directly from the manufacturer.

Why don't you call them as well?

I didn't mention rock auto. T the safari guy seemed very nice.
 
I have a Safari rack, it's held up well through lots of abuse. And yes their customer service is top notch.

I say replace all that stuff while you're in there, might as well. You'll have a front end rehaul and man it will drive nice when you're done.
 
If you're using urethane bushings, the Total Chaos set from Wheelers are great so far. They don't squeek at all. I used Super Lube Synthetic PN 41150. It's a bit expensive but well worth it. Ordered it in a tube from Amazon. You won't find it on the shelf.

I only used urethanes on the steering rack. I replaced my sway bar bushings with OEM. PN's are in my write up but different year...different PN's perhaps. Big believer in OEM.

Be very careful around the ABS wire. Might think about disconnecting it. While you're under there, check your ADD connector. I need to splice in a new one this winter eventually.

FWIW - here's my unfinished write up with a few "take aways" Hope it helps. Oh yea, buy a box of 100 disposable rubber gloves and a bag of rags.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/206211-steering-rack-poly-bushing-washer-no-washer.html
 
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I have a safari rack. I talked to one of their techs and he confirmed to me that they do indeed use brass internal bushings rather than nylon. That's the only difference I believe. I don't know about rock autos rack.

If you go with safari tell them you were referred on the forum and ask for a discount. I paid 475 after a discount
 
If you go with safari tell them you were referred on the forum and ask for a discount. I paid 475 after a discount
Click to expand...

Their price must have went down then because I just spoke with them last week and they quoted me $395 over the phone plus $20 for the poly bushings upgrade if I wanted it.

He also told me they don't assemble the rack or modify it, they only resell it from their trusted manufacturer. Maybe they have access to a beefed up version directly from the manufacturer? I don't know.
 
BrianSD_42 said:
I would buy the safari rack, with the poly bushings upgrade and order new outer Tie Rods from Camelback.
Click to expand...

Yeah definitely getting OEM outer tie rods, they are pretty cheap anyway. I put the poly bushings on when trying to fix my steering shakes, but personally I didn't like them much. I felt every little pebble and bump through to my steering wheel. My old bushings were fine anyway.

I'll contact Safari and see what price they might give me.
 
BrianSD_42 said:
Their price must have went down then because I just spoke with them last week and they quoted me $395 over the phone plus $20 for the poly bushings upgrade if I wanted it.

He also told me they don't assemble the rack or modify it, they only resell it from their trusted manufacturer. Maybe they have access to a beefed up version directly from the manufacturer? I don't know.
Click to expand...

Wow, yeah a few years ago the rack was listed at 525 I believe. So it's gone way down since. My 475 did include poly bushings. At the time that was a discount.

Yeah they told me it is a brand new rack, manufactured from the factory with brass bushings. I can only assume it's the same company that makes the racks for rock auto, or another big aftermarket brand, but that safari has an agreement for the brass bushings
 
My safari rack has an aae part number.

Tell them your a member here and you'll get a discount :)
 
Well, bad news. They are out and have a back order of 2 months... I can't wait two months to fix my steering. The guy also said they are closing up the shop in a week or so? I didn't press but sounds like they might be closing, for good.

Looks like I'm back to the drawing board then. Makes sense why the ones on Rock Auto didn't have the AAE stamp either, they are all gone. I might just have to suck it up and buy OEM despite the nasty price tag.
 
Have you thought about an AAE rack from somewhere else? Just a thought. I've never researched the ones that safari didn't sell.
 
4Runner OEM Steering Rack Part # Number : 44250-35042


Thank you! Wow $800 online. That's expensive.

My second remanu steering Rack is on its way out. Each of them was $300-400 in parts. If I could go back I would have just bought an OEM.
 
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BrianSD_42 said:
Does anyone know the actual OEM part #? (& link)
Click to expand...

44250-35042 | Toyota OEM Parts |*GEAR ASSY | Genuine Toyota

They aren't too good at packing and brown treated it like a football but still it was undamaged.
habanero's 1996 4Runner Build-Up Thread - Page 104 - YotaTech Forums

Seriously recommend installing a steering rack bushing kit before installing rack. I thought I saw free shipping from wheeler's on the black friday post if you don't already have one....
https://wheelersoffroad.com/product...shing-kit-for-95-00-tacoma-and-96-02-4runner/
 
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