Steering rack

[TankTop]

So my Gen4 needs a new steering rack, I'm looking at multiple different websites with prices all over the board. What are my best options after market going fairly cheap but not the cheapest? Is there any reason to spend double with the steelership?


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[ZebRuaj]

You always run the risk of crappy quality/durability with aftermarket or reman's. Watch enough South Main Auto and you can listen to Eric O. blast how many times aftermarket ones have failed him.

I would almost take the chance using an OEM from the junker before going with aftermarket.

I'm in the same boat, but with my Sequoia. Waiting til it gets warmer to really decide on who gets my money.

 

[alia176]

I'm looking at the CVJ rebuilt units as they seem to garner the highest praise on this board. No way would I consider anyone else.


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[Cruiserfanatic]

I worked for Toyota as a tech for almost 18 years and saw nothing but issues with the aftermarket steering racks. I work for an aftermarket automotive warranty company now, and I still see issues with the aftermarket ones. If you think about it, your rack is around 10 years old depending on what year your truck is, so buying a brand new unit from the dealer will probably last that long again. Or, if you buy a cheaper aftermarket one, it may only last half as long, or less depending. I myself will only buy factory parts when it comes to certain items. Steering components being one.

 

[07V8]

Cannot touch OEM quality.

 

[TankTop]

I'm looking at the CVJ rebuilt units as they seem to garner the highest praise on this board. No way would I consider anyone else.


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Since I'm in Colorado Springs CVJ seems to make the most sense since it's going on a 146k 04 4Runner. Thanks for the suggestion and I've found out several Toyota dealers in CO use them exclusively for Racks and CV axles.


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[BlackWorksInc]

I just mentioned this in someone else's thread...

Get one of the following:

-New Toyota Rack
-Reman'd Toyota Rack
-New Denso/Asin Rack (not sure if you can get these through someone like Carquest or not) $$$
-CVJ Rebuild

I have seen nothing but issues with non-Toyota racks. Yes they start sometimes with a Toyota core, but the quality is extremely varying. I have seen "new" aftermarket racks leaking in less than a year and require replacement and I have seen some that last years; the consistency is so varying I would not chance it myself. In fact I insisted on a new Toyota rack when I had my insurance adjuster looking at my vehicle and explained my position and why and he was kind enough to work with me on it despite the company's policy of using aftermarket components when available on vehicles over I think he said 10yrs of age.

The good news is most of the above mentioned options allow for core-charges so that helps bring the cost down.

 

[alia176]

Since I'm in Colorado Springs CVJ seems to make the most sense since it's going on a 146k 04 4Runner. Thanks for the suggestion and I've found out several Toyota dealers in CO use them exclusively for Racks and CV axles.


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Since you're local, let us know what kind of a sense you get from the place. Is it a small mom/pop operation and how serious are they about using OEM parts, like they mentioned it on their site. They do have a good rep on their CVs but not many have used their racks.

Although, at 146k miles, I'm a little surprised that your rack is going south. Maybe taller lifts and more aggressive wheeling shorten their lifespan. In that case, a CVJ rack with limited lifetime warranty may be the *affordable* ticket for those of us who can't swing an OEM rack.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

Since you're local, let us know what kind of a sense you get from the place. Is it a small mom/pop operation and how serious are they about using OEM parts, like they mentioned it on their site. They do have a good rep on their CVs but not many have used their racks.

Although, at 146k miles, I'm a little surprised that your rack is going south. Maybe taller lifts and more aggressive wheeling shorten their lifespan. In that case, a CVJ rack with limited lifetime warranty may be the *affordable* ticket for those of us who can't swing an OEM rack.

Usually I see Toyota racks start leaking into the tie-rod boots and then eventually they seep out of there. If you looked under the vehicle you might see what looks like seepage/very very light wetness along the tie rod boots and clamp.

They may go for a long time like that before you really start noticing a drop in fluid level or drips. But after about 100K you start seeing signs that they start seeping, eventually it goes from "very very light signs of seepage" to "Dripping off the tie-rod boot and the fluid level is low", but that usually takes a long while.

 

[AuSeeker]

Usually I see Toyota racks start leaking into the tie-rod boots and then eventually they seep out of there. If you looked under the vehicle you might see what looks like seepage/very very light wetness along the tie rod boots and clamp.

They may go for a long time like that before you really start noticing a drop in fluid level or drips. But after about 100K you start seeing signs that they start seeping, eventually it goes from "very very light signs of seepage" to "Dripping off the tie-rod boot and the fluid level is low", but that usually takes a long while.

That what's mine is doing but the unit seems to work great otherwise, do you think I could replace the seals and fix this seepage?

 

[BlackWorksInc]

That what's mine is doing but the unit seems to work great otherwise, do you think I could replace the seals and fix this seepage?

Probably not, I thought about doing the same thing to my old steering rack before I had an opportunity to have a brand new one installed.

I looked into rebuilding our racks and talked with some older coworkers who did steering rack rebuilds back in the day. The FSM calls for a bunch of SST (Special Service Tools) that I haven't ever seen in our SST Toolbox. On top of that from what I have heard from my coworkers and a couple other people who have done rebuilds on these newer aluminum housing racks; the reason they seep/leak is because the racks (the toothed portion) starts rubbing the housings and wearing it away, eventually they get a slight oval shape and push against the seals letting them seep.

I am not entirely sure if this is 100% accurate for all aluminum housing steering racks; but based on what the people who have rebuilt them have said and the way the racks seem to be constructed it makes sense. So I would say that rebuilding them/putting new seals on the inner tie-rods is a 50/50 shot at best, because if the housing is a bit oval then it's just gonna flatten one side of the new seals and seep again.

But like I said earlier, if they are just seeping lightly; I wouldn't worry about it. It's when you start seeing a drop in your P/S fluid level and the rack is just wet in fluid that I'd be strongly considering a new rack.

 

[TankTop]

Usually I see Toyota racks start leaking into the tie-rod boots and then eventually they seep out of there. If you looked under the vehicle you might see what looks like seepage/very very light wetness along the tie rod boots and clamp.

They may go for a long time like that before you really start noticing a drop in fluid level or drips. But after about 100K you start seeing signs that they start seeping, eventually it goes from "very very light signs of seepage" to "Dripping off the tie-rod boot and the fluid level is low", but that usually takes a long while.

Thanks for that response, I've gotten a 2nd opinion and been told not to worry about the racy for a long time.


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