Steering Rack Seeping - $2,275 repair?!

[westwind77]

I brought my 4R in for a standard oil change service and inspection (85,000k). I have a note that my Steering Rack boots are seeping and may need to be replaced in the future. The quote for that is $2,275.00.

That seems like a large expense! Is this a common failure on these? Is that price way out of line? Is the part expensive or the labor to do the job (it was not broken down in the quote).

This would be my 1st repair to the 4R that I would have to pay for, it has been very reliable!

Just looking to get some info for when/if I need to do this in the future.

Thanks!

 

[Bossman]

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/203580-steering-rack-replacement.html

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/223760-steering-rack-replacement.html

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/160233-steering-rack.html

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-g...me-thoughts-power-steering-%93problem%94.html

 

[yotantexas]

Havent heard much on the 5th gens and the steering rack but it seems like I have heard of people having to replace it on 2nd gen Tacomas and 3rd gen 4runners.
Its not a cheap part from what I have heard and dealer labor rates are not cheap.

 

[westwind77]

Thanks for the link for more information. Seems like a few other have had it around my same mileage, but it also seems they have lifted 4R's where mine is stock. Either way I'm not the happiest about the cost.

 

[DannyLlama]

Mine needs to be replaced too http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/254522-tire-vibration-leaking-steering-rack-2.html My local dealer said they would sell it to me for 750 if I can't find one from the junk yard for a descent price.

I did call around and you can get them for $350. is 400 worth the used part?

IDK, stay tuned.

 

[shrub1]

Mine needs to be replaced too http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/254522-tire-vibration-leaking-steering-rack-2.html My local dealer said they would sell it to me for 750 if I can't find one from the junk yard for a descent price.

I did call around and you can get them for $350. is 400 worth the used part?

IDK, stay tuned.

Are you out of warranty or did the dealer advise no warranty coverage due to lift?

 

[DannyLlama]

Are you out of warranty or did the dealer advise no warranty coverage due to lift?

I am out of warranty. I filed a complaint with Toyota corporate, they said that the leak does not warrant a replacement regardless if i'm warranty or not.

Honestly, dont know at which point i should replace it. Replace and be safe? or just ride it for a while longer.

 

[shrub1]

I am out of warranty. I filed a complaint with Toyota corporate, they said that the leak does not warrant a replacement regardless if i'm warranty or not.

Honestly, dont know at which point i should replace it. Replace and be safe? or just ride it for a while longer.

IMO depends on how long you are going to own the vehicle (I plan to keep mine for at least 10 more years) and your own comfort level heading out to the boonies solo with an issue (or potential issue). Me? I too have a wet boot so to say and will be getting the rack replaced even if I need to pay out of pocket. Almost 100% of my trips are pretty remote and solo, so it will give me peace of mind off road and off grid. That's me.

 

[honda250xtitan]

I am out of warranty. I filed a complaint with Toyota corporate, they said that the leak does not warrant a replacement regardless if i'm warranty or not.

Honestly, dont know at which point i should replace it. Replace and be safe? or just ride it for a while longer.

keep a bottle in the car and check the reservoir. if it doesn't run dry it'll be fine. have you tried the "stop leak" stuff? it'll leak slower if anything, i had good luck with that when i had to run my titan for a few weeks waiting on my shop to get me in.

 

[DannyLlama]

keep a bottle in the car and check the reservoir. if it doesn't run dry it'll be fine. have you tried the "stop leak" stuff? it'll leak slower if anything, i had good luck with that when i had to run my titan for a few weeks waiting on my shop to get me in.

its not leaking, that's the good and confusing part. Fluids are fine (always within specs). So i gues sit's a uber-minor leak?

 

[honda250xtitan]

its not leaking, that's the good and confusing part. Fluids are fine (always within specs). So i gues sit's a uber-minor leak?

it'll get EVERYWHERE, it doesn't take much. i didn't read your thread lol.

 

[DannyLlama]

it'll get EVERYWHERE, it doesn't take much. i didn't read your thread lol.

Say what?

 

[WandaRunner]

Had my rack replaced under warranty at about 80,000 Miles. (Lifted 1.5”, 35” tires, and dual shocks with bypass). The service manager didn’t blink twice. They also did both LCA under warranty and my steering column....I may or may not have the best service advisor in the country.


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[Jeremy556]

Unless it is dripping, I would just keep it topped off.

It is an expensive part and a labor intensive swap out.

 

[westwind77]

Unless it is dripping, I would just keep it topped off.

It is an expensive part and a labor intensive swap out.

Any idea (ballpark) of what the part cost vs the labor to install?

 

[SR5Bart]

Any idea (ballpark) of what the part cost vs the labor to install?

On a 4Runer we charge 8 hours labor to swap the rack (book calls for 12.6). OEM rack is $1167.99 but aftermarkets are usually around $600

 

[westwind77]

I called the dealer back to get some additional detail as the quote basically had a price and that was it....

The $2,275 includes the rack and labor to install - it includes the inner tie rods but not the outer tie rods. It also does not include an alignment. So, now the quote is up to $2,385!

What are the chances I would need to replace the outer tie rods with this repair?