Can you make a steering rack hose...

Hi there.

I have a 2009 Tacoma.. 210km.
It is leaking power steering fluid.
I have been told the return (cooling) line needs replaced.

BUT also the high pressure line is rotten too. I was quoted $1700 for a remanufactured rack and pinion + labour.

Apparently the pressure line is "fixed" to the rack on some models. Toyota don't offer a replacement hose. My VIN number confirms this.
$1200 for a rack and pinion at the dealership.

My question. Can you make a hose?
Salvage the fittings.

My usual mechanic says he thinks it's possible.

Any advice / experiences appreciated!

Thank you.

 

That seems maybe a little high, but not too far off the mark. I see the hoses at RockAuto for under $90:



For a new rack, pump and hoses it looks to be about $550 in parts. Labor typically 2x parts cost, so $1700 seems about right if they are changing out everything. Oddly, remans seem to be as much or more than new.

 

Ah great thanks.

Yeh the remanufactured ones are pricey.
I believe you can get some money back for turning in your old one.

So those hoses you found...

I also found some, but they are not suitable. For 4x4 model.

Everyone I talk to in dealerships or garages says you need to replace the whole unit because then pressure hose is a part of the unit.

What do you think?

 

Personally, I'd crawl under there and verify. The descriptions on the RockAuto hose parts seem to indicate that there are 2 options, one that covers the Base Model and Pre Runner, and another for the X Runner. Nothing about 4x4, so I just assumed that was covered by the non-X Runner parts. But, the rack parts sometimes get into more detail and nothing specifies 4x4. Maybe the 4x4 part is different?

Maybe someone else will chime in that has done this repair.

 

4x4 is typically covered under "base model" in most aftermarket catalogs. There's only one rack P/N identified in Toyota's OEM parts catalog for both 4x4 and PreRunner, and it shows threaded inlet for pressure- and return hoses: https://parts.toyota.com/p/Toyota_2...-For-Rack-and-Pinion/63031061/4425004030.html

Crawl under the truck and identify exactly which tube is leaking. There are two tubes connecting the control valve to the rack cylinder that are not sold individually:



It should be possible for most shops to make those for you, same as making brake lines. Consider however that the rack is likely to leak by your truck's age, and the hours of labor required to finagle the rack out of the truck to replace the tubes, it might be good to replace the rack anyway. If you go reman, stick with BBB and avoid other brands like Cardone.

 

Hey... Thanks alot for your input about the steering rack. I really appreciate it.

My usual mechanic is going to have a go at getting the lines off on Monday. Fingers crossed!

I have a hydraulic shop in town here who say they make brake and steering lines "all the time." Made one for a BMW last week and saved the owner $1400.
But they don't "need" to know what the lines are from. Haha. Liability I think. They said just bring them in and they will see what they can do... If they have fittings or can salvage the old ones?

Ive been told by 3 different mechanics... The one at work, one at a shop... And my usual buddy.. That I have 2 leaks. The cooling line is rotten. And the high pressure line is "sweating" fluid.

Apparently the cooling line can be bought easy. But no where makes the high pressure one on its own.

Is this a repair you have done before?

How easy are the hoses to remove?

In the picture you send there are two lines...

I would be aswell to do them both?

I am just going to hope for the best.
I see a wide range of prices for replacement racks. Which is the case for any part.

Some.seem cheaper but I think you mail in the old one as part.of the deal.

Any more specifics greatly appreciated!

Thanks just now

 

Do you have to remove the whole rack assembly to get the hoses off?

 

The hard lines connecting the control valve to the rack cylinder? Yeah probably. It's pretty tight in there.

Bending and flaring hard lines for brakes and power steering is relatively easy, but is best done with a $500 flaring tool. Most good shops can do it routinely.