Hey guys, I think it's time for a new rack. There's about an inch of play in the steering and it's really noticeable on the highway. The rack was no match for all the potholes and train crossings I guess. Anyways I was just wondering if there's a good reliable, consistent source for steering racks. It seems I read mixed things for different places. I'm looking for a good rebuilt for 300-400 but if I need to pay a little more for quality then whatever. I just don't feel like forking over a 1000 to the dealership. Thanks a lot!

Andrew

 

Don't go buy a rack from a dealer.
Do identify what exactly is loose or worn on your truck before you throw $$ after $$ chasing it down. It could be a big problem but probably isn't. Check the rack bushings with your eyes and jack the truck up by the frame and check the tie rods and wheel bearings.

 

I'm pretty sure it's the rack. I got under the truck and turned the steering shaft within the loose range and the steering wheel moved with it. It still turned loosely all the way down by the rack so I'm pretty sure one of the teeth or gears are worn.

 

That sucks. I have had bad luck with reman racks leaking.

Junk yard, low mileage, wrecked in rear...

 

soo the bushings are good ? http://www.4x4wire.com/toyota/mainte...ering_bushing/

 

Yeah the bushings are perfect. I replaced them like a year ago. If it's anything besides the rack it would be the steering u joint at the bottom of the shaft. I was thinking I might try a junkyard. we'll see.

 

Has anyone gone through carsteering.com before?

 

consider also your tie rod inners.

Colorado Power Steering sells a remanuf rack. You can pick your warranty and spend accordingly.

 

The passenger side inner tie rod is shot but that's not the cause because when I turn the steering shaft within the loose range the tie rods don't move at all. Thanks for the recommendation though I'll check them out.

 

I got main at napa for a little over $500 and it held up fine on and off road for two years at which point I sold the 4runner and it was still working fine.

 

Hey I need to replace my rack also in my 01 Tacoma. I just replaced my bushings with no improvement. I can lay under the truck and have someone turn the steering wheel and the shaft coming down will turn but the wheels and tie rods never move. I can turn the steering wheel about an inch before the wheels will start to move. I'm pretty sure that my problem is inside the steering rack. The truck drives like hell on the back roads and drifts all over place on the highway. I don't know how much longer I can keep driving this thing like this. Makes my other rig feel like a sports car. Anyway I was thinking if someone made a steering stabilizer for the rack and pinion I would bet it would help this problem a lot.

Also I wonder if there is a way to rebuild the steering rack yourself? Does anyone know of a rebuild kit for these. Or is there a way to adjust the internal gear alignment of the rack? I just started looking into replacement racks so I hope I can find something good.

 

I have one I got for my 99 tacoma before it was recalled. PM if you want to work something out. It is a rebuild, still in the box.