Steering rack and ball joints

I have a 02' prerunner w 150,000 miles and well loved. steering and shocks are no fun anymore. My favorite local shop says steering rack is beat and ball joints need to be replaced.

Do I get a OEM rack ? Is it worth the extra $$$ do I need ball joints really ??

Any thoughts ???

 

you probably need all that and more. Don't know about the steering rack Control arm bushing, ball joints, Struts is what I have replace at 152K. Stuff wears out. Get a second opinion if you would like Depends on what you use your truck for. A lot of off roading and the like you would probably want the heavy duty aftermarket parts. I am replace a lot of bushing with the Polyurethane bushing. Will be doing the steering rack bushing and leaf spring bushing in the next couple of weeks. Have take time off to get some honey do's done for wife.


Tom

 

1. Are they the original ball joints? If so I would say definitely need new ones. There was a actual recall on the oem ones failing. Ball joints is something you don't want to skimp on if they are are wearing out.
2. With the steering racks most have had best luck with a oem one. But it's about double what you would pay for a aftermarket rack. Check out rack doctor. They are rebuilt oem racks for around $275 shipped with a full warranty.
3. Sounds like your not to confident in your shops diagnosis. Maybe take it to another reputable shop and get another opinion for price and diagnosis.

 

Thanks for the reply, I'm going to schedule another look today.

 

Yeah, definitely get the BJ's replaced, if they fail going down the road say goodbye to your tire and brace for a highly likely impending crash.. and definitely go OEM parts! Heard way too many horror stories about cheaper aftermarket stuff failing prematurely.

 

I just called another friend at a local shop and he says there's no reason to buy a steering rack / says he's never heard of having to do that ??? He's says do the lower and upper tie rod ends and ball joints and my new bilstein 5100's and that should do it ??? I'm confused and my truck doesn't drive well , it feels as if it's sorta just wearing my new tires out

 

I would do what you can minus the rack. Save that for last. Or have it checked out again. But I too had somewhat of a sloppy steering when I first bought her. I did ball joints, inner/outer tie rods, and put in poly rack bushings. The biggest problem was the rack bushings. Tons of flex. Not a budge with the poly. Also might look into doing the tac weld mod to the steering column if you have the steering "clatter" on bumpy roads. And especially if you off-road. Also replaced my lca bushings too. And have camburg ucas. Everything is toit like a toiger now.

 

Yea. the Poly bushings for the rack makes a big difference.

Steering tack weld, that's only if your truck has the steering wheel tilt correct? Mine doesn't have a tilt so wondering it its possible to do with my truck.

 

Why yes, yes it is. The joint itself is essentially the same as the tilters. You can't just pull the shaft like the tilters. You must pull the entire column assembly, then dissect it.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/something-in-steering-wheel-rattles.285190/#post-7164510

EDIT........I also updated post #42 in the original TTORA thread to include more on the non tilters.

 

Never noticed any clunking or noises coming from my steering but it does feel loose when I am wheeling. I will double check again before I decide to tear into this project.

 

Well guys today I took my truck to a guy whom came highly recommended whom builds monster trucks, the real deal. But works on trucks and cars also.
He put the truck up and said the ball joints were fine and steering rack was no issue at all !!! Said I need new lower control arm bushings and some new struts

Any thoughts on control arm bushings or complete control arm source ? Planning on bilstein 5100's to get that level ride

 

I just put in moog lca bushings. Poly are a bitch iirc on those. Moogs were pretty easy with the bottle jack method.

Check this thread out
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/lca-bushings-oem-energy-suspension-whiteline.394935/