Recommended Work?

Hey guys. What do you recommend I look out for/keep an eye on? I just bought a 1996 Tacoma V6 4x4 with 130k miles. I am replacing the steering rack and the tie rods asap due to a power steering leak.

I’m going to have the shop do a full underbody inspection to look for other issues. There’s not much rust to speak of.

The oil is not as clear as I d like but it is 20 years old. I don’t see any oil leaks.

Thanks!

 

I hope the oil isn't 20 years old!!

Nothing special to look for that you wouldn't look for with any other used vehicle.

Make sure they use ATF in the power steering and NOT regular power steering fluid. And if it had regular power steering fluid in it previously, then the whole system needs to be thoroughly flushed before hooking the new power steering rack up. It could be possible you need to replace the power steering pump as well if regular power steering fluid was used. That was the case when I got my truck.

Have them inspect the frame well for hidden rust, especially important if you are in a state that uses salt on the roads in winter.

Wouldn't hurt to have them give the trans, tcase and both differentials a fluid change as well.

 

Thank you. So use ATF in place of power steering fluid even though it’s a manual transmission?

 

Being a manual transmission has nothing to do with the power steering. The power steering in these trucks use ATF and not power steering fluid.

 

Just what is leaking causing you to replace The Steering Rack .

 

Okay thanks. The previous owner reports that the Toyota dealership is recommending PS fluid. I’ve read that before here. I’m going to trust this forum.

 

From the factory service manual.

 

Check your upper and lower ball joints and control arm bushings. Absolutely make sure they use Dexron II or higher fluid. Regular PS fluid will cause noise in our systems.

 

I made checklist, its a work in progress (submissions welcome!):
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/old-truck-checklist.606811/

Its a little intimidating, but most of the items are super easy.

 

130,000 miles is't A LOT of miles on a '96 Tacoma. We aren't talking Ford or Chevy here.

My '96 4x4 has 413,000 miles on it and I've done very little. Did replace the lower ball joints a couple weeks ago for the first time.
I wouldn't expect the steering rack needs to be replaced with just 130,000 miles on it.

 

I haven’t fully inspected the rack so it could just be the seals. I guess I’m a bit surprised too. Will definitely have them use the Dexron. If the guy was using regular power steering fluid is it necessary to replace the PS pump?

 

I wouldn't replace it without trying after replacing the fluid with Dextron. My PS Pump "went nuts" the first cold morning of the first year I was driving it. Loud whine, steering wheel would shake if I tried to take off before fully warmed. I flushed it real well with Dex, and it has been fine ever since.

There are other threads to describe this, but basically, put the front end up on jack stands, suck the fluid from the reservoir (turkey baster method), replace with Dextron, rotate the wheels fully left to right 10 times (with the engine running), repeat until the fluid looks new.

 

Gotcha. So take home from all of you:
Have them inspect the rack first to see if new seals are needed instead of full replacement.
Make sure they also inspect the frame, control arm bushings and upper and lower ball joints.
Have them replace the trans, tcase, and both differential fluids.
Make sure PS fluid is flushed and replace with Dexron II or III.
Don’t replace steering pump at this point.

My real fear, though, is that there is that there is a cracked cylinder (esp #3) or head gasket leak. I haven’t had any tests done other than observing no smoke from exhaust, good startup, oil has no milky residue.