Power steering rack bushings... easy deal...

I just replaced the struts and power steering rack bushings on my kid's 2000 Pre-Runner 2.7 with 160K on the ticker and it was a piece of cake. Prying the old bushings out was a little bit of a bugger but nothing unexpected.

The Energy Suspension kit

$35 8.10101G Power Steering Rack Bushing For 1995-2000 Toyota Tacoma 4WD Only

8.10101G had the correct sleeves and everything pressed into place with almost no hassle. Just remember to support the right end of the rack using mechanic's wire or similar when you unmount it or it will hang down and be a bit of a hassle to manuever.

For struts, I used a pair of Monroe Quick Struts that I got on ebay for $130 each complete; strut, spring, the whole deal. Four bolts and they fall out. For $275 this truck is tight again. The steering had become very sloppy and minor imperfections on the road caused the wheel to shimmy pretty badly. No more. Feels brand new.

 

How do those quick struts ride

 

After driving the truck with original struts at 160K miles the Quick Struts seem like a slice of heaven. One of the old ones must have been totally shot because the steering wobble over road imperfections was horrible. Now, it's nice and tight with no discernable play at all. I think the Monroe's were just what the doctor ordered. No spring compressor needed, all new rubber spring isolators, etc. Pop 'em in and bolt 'em down. All for $129 each including shipping to my door.

 

Poor kid didn't get a lift kit though.

 

Poor kid drives so Cal roads and never sees anything but asphalt.

 

Monroe sells Readylift pre-assembled struts under the Rancho brand. They cost slightly more, though.

 

I picked up some complete struts off of ebay for 87 bucks. Yes, for the pair, brand new.

They ride alot better than the old stock stuff. Install was fast. Lets see how long that last...

 

Did u disconnect any of the tie rod ends when u did the rack bushings?

 

My cousin and I just did this on his '98 and that wasn't necessary for us, just get the weight off the wheels, take the bolts loose, and have a friend put just a little weight on the tires to get the rack back just barely far enough to swap out the bushings. Don't pull it out too far and you wont have to worry about the hardlines attached to it getting kinked or broken.

 

Holy Walmart special...

 

Same here. No need to disconnect tie rods. Just wire support the right side of the rack around the area where the trans cooler lines meet the bell housing and you are in business. I am blown away how tight the new bushings and struts made this truck. If I could only cure the damn axle wrap all would be well with the world.

 

Thanks for the info I gota do that this weekend

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Toyota-Taco...ssories&fits=Model:Tacoma&hash=item41718d70b2

I got these for 81.00 for the pair. He has them listed for 145 now.... They work great.

I am planning on chaning my steering rack bushing this weekend... Ill let you know how it goes.

 

I almost bought from them until I saw the listing said "Not for PreRunner." A call to them confirmed they do not carry PreRunner struts for my 2000.

Edit: I just checked the cross reference to the Monroe numbers the guy lists on the auction page (Monroe # 171352L-171352R) and those are the numbers I installed on my 2000 Pre-Runner. May he just doesn't realize that his struts fit PreRunners.

 

They are forsure not as nice as some struts, but my truck is a Home Depot runabout... And thats about it...

I installed the 3 inch lift spacers on top of them, and some blocks in the rear.

Looks good. Also last weekend I added 2001 Tacoma rims and 265/75/16 tires.