Steering Rack Help Needed

Bit of a story here. About a month ago I went in for an alignment and didn't get one. As it turned out I had some slop in an lbj and inner tie rod. Both were NAPA i believe and were replaced about a year and a half ago by a mechanic, before I knew anything about my truck. I decided I would go ahead and replace lbj's and outer tie rods with OEM on both sides and went with the 555 inners from low range off road. I figured that if they last, awesome, I saved about $200 over OEM and if not it was worth a shot and I'll replace them with OEM when they go bad. So I replaced all that this weekend, went in for an alignment today and discovered that there is up/down play in the steering rack on the driver side (where the bad inner tie rod was). I am guessing that the tie rod was probably miss-diagnosed, as the slop was probably coming from the rack. However, this is my first experience with this so I don't really know what constitutes slop in a tie rod. The rack bushings were replaced about a year ago as well, and the play is definitely coming from inside the rack not the whole rack itself. The previous owner had replaced the rack before I bought the truck about 2 and a half years ago so it seems like it should have lasted longer but who knows. My question is it possible the up/down play could be from the rack guide and that I don't need to replace the whole thing? Also, worth mentioning that the passenger side billow had a bit of fluid in it and the driver side looked like this. It seems to be a mixture of fluid and tie rod grease. My fluid level is however not low, so it must be a very slow leak. I have a good mechanic that quoted me at around $750 out the door with new rack that has a lifetime warranty which seems reasonable (although not OEM). If there is an alternative however, I would like to take it. I'm a broke student and this truck is a money pit as it is.

 

You need a new rack. If the p.o. replaced as you stated a couple years ago it not uncommon for it to fail if it's not oem. Oem racks are definitely the way to go with these. I have heard some guys having luck with some aftermarket but a lot of stories of them failing and having to replace again and again. Another alternative as you asked I's to rebuild the rack but 1)it's very intailed and requires some special tools. 2) I would not wast the time to do that unless it's a oem rack. A replacement oem rack is anywhere from around $550-700 from what iv seen. A aftermarket rack is around $250 after the core is sent back. Also you want order a rack for the 01-04 tacoma's as it comes with the newer style rack guide. The older tacoma's have the rack guide that fails and causes the "slop". I have a torn boots as well with a slow leak and am educating my self on this stuff as well. So I'm sure there are more experienced guys on here that may have some more advice.
To me though Sounds like it's the rack guide causing the slop and when that go's the outer rack seals are not far behind causing the fluid leaks.

 

Here are some links to add more info. Hope this helps. https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/rack-pinion-service-tools-tips-dry-wordy.312600/

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/factory-steering-rack-where-to-buy.385162/

 

Thanks for the info! I am tempted to replace the rack guide and see where that gets me. Like I said, it seems like really minimal leakage of actual p/s fluid. Are the outer rack seals also replaceable? Or is that where the special tools etc come in?

 

Additionally, is there any way to determine if the rack is OEM? C/V's for example, are easy to differentiate from aftermarket.

 

The links I gave you in post #3^^^ Give a full "how to" on how to rebuild the rack...seals, rack guide etc. I'm sure there is some toyota markings/stickers somwhere on it if it is oem. I'm not sure on that though.