05+ V6 Tacoma Steering Rack Bushing replacement

I tried everything I could to get the rack out without cutting or unbolting the AC. And I couldn’t do it. So I cut about half an inch off the bolt with an angle grinder and the rack came right out.

However, my biggest problem was the intermediate steering shaft. 10+ years of rust and that thing would not let go of the rack. I had to buy an air hammer and even then, once both bolts were out of the rack, I had to tug, yank, rotate and pry the rack out of the shaft. Due to all of that, I decided to order a replacement intermediate shaft to go in with the new rack.

I’m actually planning on reinstalling everything today. That is, if I can get the intermediate shaft to let go up top... removed both bolts and the sliding yoke is seized. Really hoping a few good whacks with the air hammer will loosen it up as I don’t want to have to cut anything else out.

 

How was the clearance using the grinder?

 

Minimal, to say the least... I didn’t enjoy using it that close to my face at all, laying on my back under the truck. Had gloves, goggles and a face mask on and finding the right approach angle that wouldn’t shower me in sparks was tough.

Also, I hope you have a replacement high pressure hose at the minimum. Because if your truck has been in the rust belt, that hose will not come out of the rack without mangling itself. I had to cut mine into three pieces to get the rack out. And that was with the sway bar completely removed from the truck.

Here are some notes on my experience removing the rack from another thread...

“Well, I finally started this project today and after about 4 hours I think I’m gonna call it for now... Pretty much everything fought me, except the tie rod ends. Those came out of the steering knuckle without any issue. But that was about the only thing that went right.

At this point I’ve got the hoses mostly out (cut the high pressure hose into three pieces rather than trying to loosen it from the rack), the passenger side bolt is out and the driver’s side bolt is loose. I’m going to have to cut some off the bottom or try to cut it in half to get it out (totally expected that). But my biggest issue is the steering shaft... I can’t get it to budge. I removed all three bolts, sprayed it with PB Blaster, drove a chisel into the gap and tried just about everything I could to get it to let go. No dice. It’s f*cking stuck.

My next move will be to spray it again and let it sit while I find an air hammer. Can’t think of anything else other than maybe heating it up with a torch. Either way, power steering rack - 1, Nick - 0”

 

Thanks brotha, thankfully have had almost no rust/seizing issues while I've been upgrading suspension parts so hoping this is the same way

 

Lucky!

And yeah, it kind of comes with the territory in the Ohio valley. 10+ winters of daily driving and rust/seizing is inevitable. Hell, I had to cut both my old rear shocks and U Bolts out after only 4 winters of use.

Good luck!

 

Yes.

 

Word, thanks brotha

 

Steering shaft disconnected before or after getting the driver side bolt out? Can figure out which would be best to attack first

 

How did you get to the top inside bolt on the compressor? Or just the bottom two and top front and then with 3 out of 4 just able to pivot it enough to make room???

 

I tried disconnecting mine with the driver’s side bolt in and couldn’t do it. I had to get that bolt out so the rack could move forward enough for it to let go.

 

That'ssss what I thought. Fack. Lol

 

Or unbolt they slip joint on the other and of the shaft

 

I tried that too but mine was so seized it wouldn’t come loose. I actually just pulled the lower intermediate shaft yesterday and had to use the air hammer to get it out of the slip joint...

 

All bolts undone and at least pulled away some.

 

Your location says it all. I feel for you

 

Finally got the bastard. Can you get the rack out with the inner TREs on?

 

Spoke too soon. Got it lmao

 

Haha, I got mine out with both the inner and outer tie rods still on. Would have definitely been easier with the outers off but I wanted to keep them on to take measurements for when I reinstall them on the new rack.

 

I took measurements before I started pulling apart haha. And this is definitely one of those jobs that makes me consider figuring out where to put a lift lmao

 

Disconnect the steering shaft while everything is still bolted down. You need to completely remove the bolts that hold the steering shaft on to the rack, there are grooves in the shaft that they ride in as a safety feature. Loosening them is not enough to slip the shaft off the rack.