'06 Standard Cab 2WD Steering Rack Question

I just joined the forum today. I'm sure my question has been raised before, but I'm going to ask it again.

The steering rack recently started leaking a small amount of fluid on the right side. I discovered the right hand boot is torn. I talked to my mechanic (not a Toyota mechanic) about this and was told that the steering rack and pinion needed to be replaced because the seals could not be replaced. The estimate was $1,000 parts and labor.

I have checked the steering fluid level cold and it is about half way down on the cold side dip stick. I want to get this fixed. However, I'm wondering if, in deed, the steering rack and pinion needs replacing, or if just the seals and boots can be replaced?

Any thoughts or advice will be appreciated.

 

Is your truck 5 lug or 6 lug?

 

Thanks for the replies, whatstcp and muddinfun. My truck is 5 lug, muddinfun. Whatstcp, I understand what you are saying about rebuilding the rack.

 

There is not supposed to be any PS fluid inside the boots. If there is, that means the internal seals are leaking. A new OEM rack is about $800. Aftermarket “rebuilt” racks are garbage. I don’t know how much work it is to change on a 5 lug, but I know on a 4wd 6 lug, it’s a bitch. I just did it. If I were you, I would let it leak and keep adding PS fluid(actually Dexron ATF) until it’s making a mess on your driveway or costing too much for fluid.

 

muddinfun, thanks for the advice. I'll take it into consideration.

 

mine recently started dripping as well.

per the service manual it doesn't look like a terrible job. i think it is two bolts on the steering shaft, a bolt where the shaft connects to the rack and then two bolts on the rack and the tie rod ends. plus the fluid lines. seems like the steering shaft bolts would be the hardest part.

mine doesn't really make a mess or use a ton of fluid so i've been kicking that can down the road for the past 3 months or so.

 

81shark, thanks for the reply. My Haynes manual gives step by step instructions for removing the steering gear, plus photos as I'm sure you know. They also tell you to mark the upper and lower intermediate shaft in relation to the shaft coupler and mark the steering gear input shaft in relation to the U-joint. I think for now I'm going to keep an eye on the PS fluid level and add as needed. I may also try to replace the boots, especially since one is torn.

 

I have an 06 4x4. I just purchased a new OEM rack last week from OEMtoyotaparts.com complete rack with inner tie rods and boots $536.01, two new OEM outer tie rods $81.00. Shipping was kinda high, $118.55 shipped to central California (but that included two new OEM headlights as well!). MIne should be here on Thursday so I can install this weekend. As others have said, "once and done!" Buy a new OEM rack and get another 150,000 miles out of it.

 

Whether or not to replace the boots, is a tough call. If the rack is leaking, it’s already on it’s way out. It may last thousands of miles. It may puke it’s guts tomorrow. Can you prolong it’s life be preventing more dirt, water, crud into the seals? Maybe, maybe not.


If you do replace the boots, be sure to mark and measure the tie rod to tie rod end relationship very carefully. If you put it together 1 turn off, or as little as 1/8 of a turn off, you will need to take it in to have the toe in adjusted.

 

Ten Eight Rider, thanks for the information. I'll check out the website for the parts for my 2wd.

 

I'd top off your reservoir with some lucas steering stop leak, then replace the rack, inner/outer tie rods when you can.

Normally you would want to avoid any "leak stop" products, but the system will get flushed after replacement so no worries.

It is SO much easier to replace the rack on a 4cyl. Changing it out on the 6cyl sucks like a rigged game of Tetris.

 

MY50cal, thanks for the advice. Since my '06 has only 68,000 miles on it, I probably will keep it a while (although my wife is telling me to get a newer one). I think the '06 is just now getting broken in. I have another question, and I know people have different opinions about things. I read in a Tacoma World post back in 2012 where someone recommended Jorgen Automotive for rebuilt steering racks. Has anyone had a recent experience with them? If I am reading their website correctly, they offer a limited lifetime warranty on their rebuilds. I have not received a quote yet for my '06, but hopefully it would be less than a Toyota OEM.