Hi I'm a super new to toyota and working on cars. I just purchased a 1998 4runner sr5 v6 with 212k miles. Long story short I took the truck to get an alignment and the mechanic pointed out a seal that was loose and demonstrated by turning the steering wheel, sure enough I looked and it was loose. I don't know much about cars and repairs other than changing the oil , changing a spark plug and changing a battery. The shop was going to charge me 265 to replace it and aligment, my question is, is it cheaper if I do it myself or am I getting a good price? Also what is that seal and what does it do?
What is this seal?
- Thread starter Leftfoot
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JWaldz
Moderator
Welcome to the site! Man, that thing needs some degreasing under there! If you're referring to the right side of the picture that is a steering rack bushing. Some places sale kits to replace all of them. Search "steering rack bushing replacement" and "steering rack guide replacement"
If those don't help steering wobble or loose steering, with that mileage, it might be time for some new steering parts. Search the forum and check out this thread to get you started.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-g...ormational-threads-must-read-new-members.html
If those don't help steering wobble or loose steering, with that mileage, it might be time for some new steering parts. Search the forum and check out this thread to get you started.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-g...ormational-threads-must-read-new-members.html
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Mindomission
New member
Good thing about leaky fluids: it keep your vehicle from rusting. Bad thing about leaks: it will dissolve rubber parts, i.e. rubber steering and suspension bushings, CV boots and exhaust hangers. A parts manual will diagram steering and suspension components, and part numbers. Online part sites like Rockauto.com sell OEM parts and kits to replace them. Chiltons and Hayes repair manuals will tell you just enough to be dangerous, avoid them if you can. There are plenty of good links and threads on the first page of the 3rd Gen forum. Sift through them and you will find a wealth of information that will save you hundreds, no! Thousands of dollars in repairs and modifications. There you will find almost anything you need. And if you can't find it ask. We are a group of 4runner owners that range from newbie owner to well qualified mechanics. I am the former! Welcome to the site, Leftfoot. Get busy!! 
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nevada
Senior Member
the rack bushing may be bad, but they likely have nothing to do with the shaking, and also possibly the wAndering.
i would suspect the tires, either out of balance, or separating.
I just got the tires balanced and they were unbalanced which didn't do much to help the shaking, what would the tires be separated from?
Good thing about leaky fluids: it keep your vehicle from rusting. Bad thing about leaks: it will dissolve rubber parts, i.e. rubber steering and suspension bushings, CV boots and exhaust hangers. A parts manual will diagram steering and suspension components, and part numbers. Online part sites like Rockauto.com sell OEM parts and kits to replace them. Chiltons and Hayes repair manuals will tell you just enough to be dangerous, avoid them if you can. There are plenty of good links and threads on the first page of the 3rd Gen forum. Sift through them and you will find a wealth of information that will save you hundreds, no! Thousands of dollars in repairs and modifications. There you will find almost anything you need. And if you can't find it ask. We are a group of 4runner owners that range from newbie owner to well qualified mechanics. I am the former! Welcome to the site, Leftfoot. Get busy!!
Yes you are right about that.
If you are planning to keep the 4runner for a while, why not get a life time alignment plan from firestone. They have it for like $180 and you can get as many alignments as possible per year! and the plan won't expire as well.
If you know how to replace spark plugs, you can do the rack bushings as well. Make sure you have a good set of tools in mm. Most common in toyota's are 8, 10, 12, 14 17, 19, 21 and 24 mm's.
Remember.....it is easy to fix toyota vehicles, and T4R is a good site to get all the information you need to keep your 4runner alive....
If you know how to replace spark plugs, you can do the rack bushings as well. Make sure you have a good set of tools in mm. Most common in toyota's are 8, 10, 12, 14 17, 19, 21 and 24 mm's.
Remember.....it is easy to fix toyota vehicles, and T4R is a good site to get all the information you need to keep your 4runner alive....
Thanks for the info ordering bushings( which now I know what they are called)
Also bought socket set , I feel more confident after reading a lot of info on this forum and a lot of pictures here help a lot.
What is the best way to clean all that mess ???Good thing about leaky fluids: it keep your vehicle from rusting. Bad thing about leaks: it will dissolve rubber parts, i.e. rubber steering and suspension bushings, CV boots and exhaust hangers. A parts manual will diagram steering and suspension components, and part numbers. Online part sites like Rockauto.com sell OEM parts and kits to replace them. Chiltons and Hayes repair manuals will tell you just enough to be dangerous, avoid them if you can. There are plenty of good links and threads on the first page of the 3rd Gen forum. Sift through them and you will find a wealth of information that will save you hundreds, no! Thousands of dollars in repairs and modifications. There you will find almost anything you need. And if you can't find it ask. We are a group of 4runner owners that range from newbie owner to well qualified mechanics. I am the former! Welcome to the site, Leftfoot. Get busy!!
Mindomission
New member
A biodegradable product called Super Clean (purple spray bottle, and gallon refills. Foaming and non-foaming) is available at Wal Mart. Also available at O'Reilly's and Auto Zone, but MUCH cheaper at WallyWorld. Works really good. Spray it on, let it set for a few (a little elbow grease never hurts) and wash it off. Avoid painted, plastic and rubber surfaces. Have fun!
AntiVenom
New member
It's a bit of a b!1ch to get the big/main bushing out. Not something that can be done with just a socket set but you can rent a bushing removal tool from most of the rent-a-tool programs at your local auto parts.
That said, welcome aboard, now it's time to skin some knuckles, curse a bit, and get your T4R in order.
That said, welcome aboard, now it's time to skin some knuckles, curse a bit, and get your T4R in order.
I cleaned all that crap out today, it wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be, I used a pressure washer at the local car wash and went to town on it. I used a rag and cleaned the bottom after I washed it which wasn't much. I had some engine degreaser from autozone laying around. My truck thanked me afterwards lol
You ain't lying, I had the truck on jacks , watched a bunch of YouTube videos, refreshed my memory by reading this forum, and then went at it and I could not get the bolts off! Felt like a miserable failure.
