05+ V6 Tacoma Steering Rack Bushing replacement

I think my rack is bad. Replaced the bushings, still loose / vague steering. Retorqued much tighter that spec, seemed better for a day or 2, but might have been just in my head. Feels very loose and wanders pretty bad. Might replace rack and intermediate shaft. Drives like shit currently. Have had alignment.

 

Check your ball joints and tie-rod ends.

Usually your rack will be leaking if it’s going bad. Your intermediate shaft is a great place to start.

 

Got a awful squeak or creak when turning. Had the wife turn my wheel slowly in the driveway while I was underneath.

I can't say if my truck wonders to notice, no sway bar attached.

But I do see the stick bolts in the stock bushing has some play, the rack moves alittle also.

Are my bushings toast? I'm assuming the rack should be solid and tight

 

Figured it out last week. The Whiteline bushings are a bad design and we’re allowing too much play between the rack and the bolts. Pulled those bushings and cleaned everything, then installed the Energy bushing kit. 100% better design and fit. Torqued to 80 ft lbs and used medium locktite. Also replaced the outer tie rods and sway bar links while I was at it. No more issues. Need to have an alignment to straighten the steering wheel and make sure everything is good after new parts. Drives much much better!

 

Yep bad design in the washers, which allows the bushing lips/ears(?) to be pinched and torn off by the washers. Easy solution is to buy washers that rest against the sleeves, after getting warranty replacement bushings.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/steering-rack-issues.661667/page-2#post-25791071

 

I made some videos, do my stock bushings have to much play? My rack likes to move as I turn.

I'm trying to track down a awful creak.

You may want to turn volume down
https://youtu.be/ytnazNulbbY

https://youtu.be/gXIPFASX9JE

 

Getting ready to replace the steering rack and do poly bushings along with new oem LCA’s and white line bushings. Adding taco tabs to keep everything aligned.

ordered the rack from rock auto ( per a post on TW) here are the pics of what they sent me just making sure this is correct before I get started.

the numbers on the rack don't match what I ordered

$309 26-2629 Remanufactured Rack and Pinion Assembly (Renewed)

26-2629? But the rack looks correct ?

I also picked up two new bolts and nuts plus tie rod ends from the dealer, a new high pressure line

 

It’s upside down in the picture, but looks correct to me.

 

I have a new OEM one sitting at home, if you need any measurements or anything. Can't help on the part number or visual on the cardone part though unfortunately.

 

Oh and take some pics and post up afterwards if you have any tips, tricks or anything else that might help for future installers

 

Just finished the bushing removal and installation of the ES bushings -


installation will be next Saturday.

This weekend is all the prep work. Now to remove the oem LCA bushings from a new pair of oem LCA’s and install Whiteline poly bushings

oem bushings removed - time to press in the whiteline LCA Poly Bushings

 

This was a hell of a job. I even had a lift and another guy. Ended up unbolting AC compressor and had way more room to maneuver the rack vs. cutting the bolt. Thx to OP for the tips on this, definitely helpful.

 

Completed the front end rebuild/upgrade - new steering rack with ES poly bushings ( with new OEM bolts/nuts and tie rod ends and hydraulic lines ) used the carbon paste recommended by another poster (thank you), New OEM LCA 's with Whiteline poly bushings, and installed the Poly performance taco tab (cam replacement) kit. everything has anti seize applied and blue thread locker.

End result - truck has never driven better! steering is spot on and responsive, tracks straight as an arrow, no play or slop felt anywhere (even with my 35's)

added benefit is the assurance knowing the OEM cams are gone, and the Taco tabs have the alignment locked in.

Thank You to all that have posted previously providing much needed/appreciated information that made the positive end result to a 2gen known issue.

 

Did you find the replacement orings for the rack or did you just reuse the old ones?

 

i ended up putting a new to me (used) rack in

 

Holy fuck.

I just did my rack this weekend.

Ended up being a 9+ hour job. 180k miles of salt really made this a pain in the dick.

I couldn’t unbolt the high pressure hose from the rack so I had to fight the whole thing out still connected to the truck.



Talk about a pain in the ass having to hammer out the bushings with the rack sitting on the bucket.

 

nice job! im assuming this would’ve been much short if just replacing the hose and rack ? Still dragging feet on doing mine but I’m putting all new oem parts back in place.

 

Anyone do this on their 2015 4x4? Can you confirm which bushings are best? With part nuMber? Thank you!

 

Yeah, I don't remember this being a fun job. I had the same issue with the HP line. I was fed up with it, cut it and put a new line set on. Glad I did, hoping to never do this again.

 

I’d probably just order a new HP line when I ordered bushings just because if I did it again.