changing rack guide on aftermarket rebuilt steering rack

Hello TW.

Has anyone updated the steering rack guide to the newer style on a rebuilt/ aftermarket rack?

I'm assuming all the parts will fit since the rack housing and parts are all the same, it's just the seals and a few small things that get changed?

Mine isn't stamped toyoda and i'm not sure when it was replaced, but sometime prior to me buying the truck 5 years ago. However it does appear pretty clean and may have been changed right before I got the truck, or it may have a ton of miles on it ‍♂️. It is not currently leaking.

I just replaced the ITREs, OTREs, 333 fab clamp, and new rack bushings. I'm going to order a new rag joint, but was wondering if it's worth updating to the new style guide or if it's throwing money away. Should I wait until this one fails and get an OEM rack w/ new guide included?

My goal is to get back to a stock + feel with poly bushings, and the new rack guide. I am okay with it being a little harsh, I just need it to be accurate and predictable.

I currently have issues with bump steer, a feeling of looseness and a slight clunk. I also have a pull to the right that hasn't changed with any alignment I've gotten.

I went under the truck last night and had someone turning the wheel. The whiteline LCA bushings will be getting replaced as well since they have play. They only lasted 3 years, not sure if that's typical or not for poly. I'll be switching to the strongflex bushings.

I wheel the truck and do high speed desert roads a fair amount, but it's also my daily.

Thanks for your thoughts and expertise.

 

Kinda seems like you should've sprung for the OEM rack rather than throwing all the money for ITREs, OTREs, and bushings at this one. But I'd probably just suggest the new rack at this point. Eventually they're bound to stop even selling the remanned racks for our trucks. They've already discontinued several other parts, so I'd spring for the OEM rack sooner rather than later, and down the road you can get it rebuilt by a company that does that kind of stuff (assuming your plan is to keep the truck long term).

 

You're absolutely right about that. I guess that's the issue with trying to save money and going piece by piece. At least I can pull the ITREs off this one and save them for later once the others go bad off the OE rack.

Is there still a possibility of getting the non updated guide rack off an online Toyota parts website or will they only have the updated one? I want to make sure it comes with the solid guide

 

I don't know for sure if you can get the earlier version or not. I kinda doubt it. Maybe you can find an earlier version in a junkyard or on eBay and then either rebuild yourself or send it off to be rebuilt, since you're not necessarily in need of a replacement immediately.

Or just buy the updated guide version (new/remanned from Toyota) and retrofit it with the older style guide?

 

Sure you can still buy the original....

45504-35010 Toyota End sub-assy, steering rack New Genuine OEM | eBay


If you have an aftermarket.....I'd pull that one guide out and replace it with exact same kind to avoid unforeseen problems....

 

My bad, I meant to avoid the old one. I don't want to accidentally get the non updated one. Do you know what the new part number is by chance?

 

On that timmy video he shows the one for a 4-runner...
not sure if its same....

Steering Rack Guide Replacement - YouTube


thats the one listed for 2001 and later tacomas......

 

Try using partsouq.com and enter in an '01 or later Tacoma. Then it provides interactive parts diagrams and when you click on the part (in this case steering rack or rack guide) it brings up part numbers. Then for good measure I always cross reference that part # with another reputable online parts retailer such as TototaPartsDeal or McGeorge Toyota. I've yet to order an incorrect part since I started doing this

 

I found this part number on the adventure taco website, thanks @turbodb
TOYOTA Genuine OEM Power Steering Rack (44250-35042)

From every photo I've seen of that particular part number it looks like the updated (recessed) solid style guide.

 

Yep that part number will always get you the new (preferred) rack. Works great on all 1st gen Tacomas. For anyone who finds this thread, here's the step-by-step with parts and tools needed for replacing the rack:

Step-by-Step: Replacing the Steering Rack on a 1st Gen Tacoma (or 3rd Gen 4Runner)