Steering rack failure - bummer!

Would really like to see a breakdown of the quote from the shop, a oem new unit is probably around 800 from a dealership but sounds like your not at a dealer.

4 hours labor+align with tax 1500 would be about right if you were at a dealer with new part not reman

 

I picked it up today. the rack was very $$$ - but it is an OEM item ordered from Toyota, so i can't really fault him for that. I also needed all new high pressure and return hoses, tie rod ends, bushings, etc.

 

I live in small town NM, no inspections, no emissions, nothing as yet.

 

Replacing that rack on your own SUCKS. Unless you have access to a lift. bench pressing that rack from the floor, trying to wiggle it out of the truck is not fun. Then you have to cut one of the mounting bolts a little bit to get the rack back in. I told myself ill spend the 1000 next time to have it done, if i ever need to.

 

I dunno I ripped out my whole interior to put sound deadener all over hell so my music would sound slightly better. Ripping a 40lb steering rack out of a truck to save a grand sounds like easy money to me. Last time I benched I was pushing 255 so I ain't scared

 

I paid too much for the same job at the dealer. Dropped it off after work on a Fri., picked it up Mon. pm, no down time from work since I'm off Mon., which cut the overall expense in half. I would do it again. I'm lucky to have a quality shop within 25 miles.

 

I fully sound deadened my truck too, that was a fun project. Trust me, this job sucks. I heard if you remove your front diff the job is way easier but i wasnt about to go there. the rack is nearly impossible to get out of the truck unless you start ripping it apart. Search threads on here you'll see what i mean.

 

you only have to lower the front diff to get it out and let the trans drop down a few inches

Just did it a few weeks ago, fairly easy if bolts are not rusted up like mine were

 

Been there, done that and I think I even made a thread about it. It really wasn't that bad. Not something I'd do for fun, but not something I'd pay someone else a large amount of money to do either.

Some people don't have the tools, garage or the ability to do the job and that's perfectly fine.

 

Nope dont even have to do that. After disconnecting everything from the rack I wiggled mine out in under 10 minutes. Worse part was removing the bushings for the polys. Pretty straight forward job just time consuming.