Replace steering rack? or rack guide?

That's great to hear Martin. Glad it worked out for you and you saved yourself some money.

 

Good deal! Not only did you save money, but you learned something. Makes you feel good. I always think about how to fix something before just replacing the whole thing. That’s the difference between a technician, and a parts changer....

 

I did the opposite, full oem rack. I found oil dripping out of the driver's side boot though. Took roughly 5 hours, for some reason the "intermediate shaft" that swaps to the new rack was fucking tight. Took some persuasion to get it onto the new rack, but the truck drives like new at this point. I watched the video by @Timmah! a couple times over before starting.

 

Reviving an old thread, but how would one tell if they have a new or old style rack guide?

 

Thats an aftermarket rack

No way of telling, i dont doubt its the new style

 

Okay cool! I have some wandering at higher speeds and was gonna adjust the preload on it so just wanted to make sure it was the new style. Guess I could pull it out and check too.

 

I need a little help here... the rack is leaking power steering fluid from those points is it time to change the rack completely; i added some lucas stop leak an i think it helped, but just need some opinions or tips about changing the rack.... my wallet is looking at me with a sad face....

 

point 2 and 3 are actually not leaking its just the upper part from what i saw....

Any info is greatly appreciated!
Thanks in advance!

 

Looks like you should clean it all up and see if you can find a source. The steering shaft is wet which leads me to believe it’s something else leaking. Top right of the photo looks to be wet as well. I’d crawl under there and trace it as high as you can.

 

When traced it part of the top right is coming from the head gaskets even though i replaced them about 7 months ago an also did the back half moons. When i was looking at the shaft it was leaking red power steering. That was the last place i found it leaking from... but ill pressure wash it again to see if i can trace it higher up.

 

That high up- check your rear valve cover, bet it is the rear cam plug.

often, they dont get swapped out for new.

 

Alright guys so cleaned it up real good. I found that its leaking from under the boot pictured above from one side.... i also found that it leaks oil from the exhaust connection to the block " installed trd headers"

Following questions are....
Power steering leak-
can i just replace the boot or it goes more internally?
How bad do you think it is?
Can i just flushout the p.s. an replace it with lucas stop leak so it can last me a year?

As for the oil leak on the exhaust...
How bad can it affect the truck?
It looks like a slow drip, ... an i dont want to mess with it.. mechanic that installed the heads told me it was a real pita...

 

Oh man, I went through 3 aftermarket steering racks trying to figure out what the heck was going on. All 3 had slop like your video, I was scratching my head like a Neanderthal saying there’s no reason my rack should be moving up and down. Didn’t realize this was a thing. Definitely replacing the guide soon.

 

Just to be clear, if wait for the water to dry. Any water that was still there from washing it might be dripping. As far as I know the boot is just a dust cap(don’t quote me) and that’s just where the steering shaft connects to the rack. I’m not sure if that’s prone to leaking? I’d wipe it all down again and wait for awhile to see if you can locate a clean leak, meaning a nice clean drip from the source. The exhaust would only be leaking a water substance if anything and you’d usually be able to hear it if you left it running and crawled under there or felt it if you hold your hand close. Maybe someone installed a cheap exhaust gasket or it’s damaged. I’d stick to cleaning the rack with a rag and cleaning up all the water from washing it. If it’s leaking as bad as it seems, your ps reservoir should be getting lower

 

I have a good buzz so if I’m wrong please no one roast me.

 

I have vibration at 20-25 and 60-65

Had my wheels rebalanced dynamically yesterday, persists

I’ve already done rack bushings, inner and outer tie rods (and ball joints).

with my truck parked and in the air I get play in the rack similar to the video.

Given the cost of a rack and the testimony here/Timmy’s YouTube channel I’m going to order the upgraded guide first

 

I had the same symptoms. Replaced everything and finally did the roller guide and it worked.

 

Thanks for this info.


Based on this post I suspect the clunk I have in my suspension lifted (Bilstein 5100 with Eibach coils) 2001 Tacoma V6 4X4. is coming from the rack guide! I've had the lift for ten years. Could this become loose after ten years and cause a clunk?

My rack and pinion is not leaking any oil and my steering seems great and normal, its just a clunk coming from the front end area.


Heres a video of my truck for you all.





In the last several months I have noticed a clunk coming from the front end area and its getting worse. Its been diagnosed as my CV axles or my front shocks both of which I had replaced but the clunk persists.

Last week I had it looked at again and a tech said there is play in my inner tie rod. On further inspection another mechanic said the driver side tire play was actually coming from my rack and pinion. I've had it looked at by so many people!

This is from another truck but when the mechanic held the inner tie rod and I moved the tire back and forth the rack and pinion did this:



Anyone know if there is a specific kit or set of part numbers you can order from Toyota to replace the rack guide?

Also since mine is a 2001 and I likely have the newer rack guide style, what is the method to check my rack guide? Is it correct that to start out I should "loosen the big locknut and torque the big Allen cap to 18 foot lb and then back it off 19 degrees."??

Is this all I need to do to fix the clunk and remove the play in my tires?????? I'd be totally blown away.


thank you

-prerunnersd

 

Someone call me out if im wrong, but the entire assembly seems to move much more than it should. You clearly have aftermarket bushings on your rack, but are they still torqued down to spec?

 

1. Part numbers and me fixing my rack (1995) listed in this thread: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/95-5-tacoma-4x4-dx-2-7-ext-cab-steering-rack-parts.495128/
5504-35031 GUIDE S/A, RACK
90501-26074 SPRING, COMPRESSION
45524-37010 Housing assy cap
90179-48003 Housing assy nut


2. Based on the picture taken from your video you have a new style guide



3. Unless the guide is totally screwed up (broken spring, not tighten cap, missing or incorrect parts) you may have bigger problem in your rack - that is a lot of move you have. If it is just a guide, it will be cheap and easy to fix.