Which Steering Rack? (I searched)

So I've read a ton of threads and a the majority seems to say to go with OEM or Safari racks.

My rack is leaking a ton of powersteering fluid from the inner boot area on the passenger side. The truck has been doing this since the day I bought it. I've had it for 2 years and about 25k miles, so the leak is worse now and I have money to replace it.

I have a lifetime alignment and tire rotation for my truck, so would it be better to just find a rack with a lifetime warranty to protect myself? The OEM and Safari are much more expensive than the units I can find. $308 locally with lifetime warranty for Masterpro or Cardone.

I would spend the extra money on oem, but I'm somewhat nervous that it may end up leaking prematurely and I'll be out a huge chunk of change. I have a regular cab 2.7L with 5100's and ToyTec springs, but my armor weighs down the front a little, so It's lifted 2.75-3" and I'm worried about the rack potentially failing.

Any insight? My outer tie rods are loose too, so I'm going to replace those too. (Was looking at the MOOG units from Rockauto)

 

Bump...still on the fence about my rack choice.

 

If you can pay for OEM, go OEM.

 

I think your nervousness is from having to deal with a current leak. Lots of old OEM racks have held up to a 3" lift without a problem for hundreds of thousands of miles.

The lifetime warrantee does not include your labor cost(or pain) to re install another lifetime warrantee rack, as you know.

To that end, you might want to have a shop purchase, install and bleed your rack for you if that has you worried about warantee's and work done. Again, the rack will be covered, the labor will probably be a NFL situation(short term warantee) if you have problems.

A double edged sword with fluid steering, with not target to swing on.

Lots of mentions of Safari racks,,and pretty good feedback.

Bleeding it properly will be your toughest hurdle if you do it yourself,,and it's really not that bad.

 

I'm doing it myself, so that's not too hard. I'll definitely look into OEM then if that will work. I was only worried about installing a new OEM rack to have it leak in a few years. I'll head to Toyota this week...stopped by my dad's place and left a 4" diameter puddle of power steering fluid in 5 minutes.

 

F'n yikes!,,steady stream. You can be impounded on the spot as per State Patrol for Haz fluid loss.

Yah,,it's not bad for a do it yourself.

 

Have you had any other issues besides the ITRE? My rack is still feeling tight and ive beat on it a few times already

 

If you can make a 3 point turn you can bleed a rack. Leave the wheels in the air and go lock to lock 3 times. Boom done.

 

I've replaced my rack at 90,000 for serious leaks. New one has 35k on it and seems fine, i think i got a defective rack or i would recommend not going with the toyota oem rack i bought an aftermarket rack for half the price.

 

I was looking for half shafts for mine and came across this place. They rebuild only OEM parts and are a great price. Thats what I decided to do. I called to order some and they seem very helpful so far.

http://www.cvjreman.com/index.php

 

Thats who I used. Axles have held up great so far.