Steering rack Leak

When i did my rack i also replaced the lines and pump, all parts from rockauto. A-1 cardone reman unit, rack was like $230 with lines and pump came to roughly 500 after core return. My rack blew a hole by the bushing so it all leaked out and i had to drive with no fluid for a bit so i just replaced everything. But if you just need the rack, check out rock. Mine has been installed and driven on for over 2 years with no problems.

 

Sas will be most awesome! Just prepare yourself to spend more on that than the truck is worth,lol.. I wanna do it on one of my rigs too but that cost to sas a tacoma is crazy. These days i find myself veering towards getting a fjz80 cruiser instead, but of course they only came with a fuckin auto trans!!! Damn it, screwed either direction i go!! Lol!!

 

Just swap to manual trans while your at it lol. Fixing my 03 D.C. Up now hopefully ready for Moab by April . Ifs this summer tho

 

Iv got a leak from the top of my rack. Can anyone tell me a part number for this seal in my picture. As far as I can tell it is part number 45222. Any advice on fixing this would be appreciated.

 

My rack has some play in it and is leaking. Truck used to track straight on the highway but now it wanders. Pissed because it only has about 30k on it but I have had my fair share of wheeling trips

How much of a PITA is it to change the rack? Not sure if it's worth paying to have it installed

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZoRP5ogrK0

This guy has tons of good videos. He earned by subscription

 

First off that diagram is for a 2wd 5 lug rack you want 4wd. Determine if it is the upper control valve seal or a line that is leaking.

2nd, it would be wise to do at least a partial tear down first and inspect for rust and/or damage to internal parts.

3rd, you would want to get a seal "kit" with all the seals and o-rings, aftermarket is fine.

4th, that seal is the single most difficult part to replace in the entire rack, and there is a fair chance that the bearing just under that seal will be damaged in removal and need to be replaced.

5th, an OE 96 rack should have other internal parts upgraded, known as the driver side "rack guide". This plus given the age other wear may render it not worth the time or money.

What you are getting into, here.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/rack-pinion-service-tools-tips.312600/

 

Thread revival.
So what's the verdict on all these rack options? I'm currently debating between these based on what I've researched people have used. Leaning towards the napa re-manufactured for $319, but read in one instance someone had issues with their napa rack fairly quickly too. But it should be covered and replaced via the lifetime warranty, right? Which they didn't mention if they replaced it or not...

Amazon
-AAE "New"(3year "protection plan") $325.39 free shipping.

Napa limited lifetimes
-Reman. $319 (in stock at local store.)
-"New" $429

Rock Auto:
-AAE Reman. $236.78 w/shipping
-A-1 Cardone Reman. $250.78 w/shipping
-Cardone Select "New" $399 w/shipping

Detroit axle prices seemed to have doubled. $500+ for one of those iirc.
Also, I kept reading all this stuff about all racks being re-manufactured to some extent and not ever "new", hence the quotes. Because Rock Auto among other places state they have both new or reman'd options

 

Are we able to get the rebuild seals/ rebuild kit from Toyota? Seems like this would be a good weekend project rather then swap in a reman unit.