Toyota's Steering Racks Leak

Well, here's my first post. I've picked up a lot of great tips from folks here over the past few years, so a general thanks to all.

I took my '08 Taco (4WD) to the dealer for an oil change (an extended cold snap here made me not want to diy this time). The tech calls to tell me the steering rack has a leak. Quoted me $1248 for the job. I got a bit pissed by this news and told him there was no way in Hell they were going to get that job.

I bought the truck band new back in '08 but the warranty recently expired, so I am stuck with this expense. The truck only has 48K miles!! How does the steering rack start leaking?

I inspected today and confirmed the passenger side does show signs of a leak.

Incidentally, I also have a '05 Sienna (bought brand new back then) and at 80K that rack started leaking. That was a year or two ago and the dealer quoted something insane like $1800 to replace it. I did it myself for around $350.

So, WTF is with Toyotas & leaky steering racks? I mean, with healthy boots and clean proper fluid (which mine all had), the seals in these things ought to easily last well past 100K miles.

To me this smacks of a poor or defective design and I think Toyota should own up to it.

Ok, I'm done whining but I'm still pissed about it. I will be replacing my Taco's steering rack sometime this Spring. The job looks a little easier than it was on my Sienna.

I've been reading threads on racks but I'm still open to any recommendations on sources for quality reman'd racks. Obviously I don't want OEM quality.

Thanks for any tips.

 

The steering rack on my 04 4runner leaked. I found out at roughly 70k. It had 145k on it when I traded it in and at that point I hadnt done anything to fix the steering rack. I too was kind of pissed to find out that the car I just recently bought would need 1000 bucks worth of work.

 

The racks in both of those vehicles are made by TRW. I miss the days when Toyotas (available in North America) were built in Japan from Japanese components.

 

The rack on my sisters Avalon went out with only 55k miles on it. Was qouted 1800 from the dealer. did the job my self in about 8 hours for $450

 

I have an 08 as well and i have 110k on mine and the dealers just informed me last week about my steering rack leaking when i had them do some maintenance on my truck that i wish i could have done but dont have the tools for

 

I would not say they are built as good as they were when coming from Japan. But. I have had really good experiences with my Toyota's I have owned.

98 Sienna Van 200K and No leaks on rack or anywhere else.
2004 Matrix XR 100K and No leaks on rack or anywhere else.
90 Camry 185K and No leaks on rack or anywhere else.
1985 Space Van 175K and No leaks on rack or anywhere else.
And Many others ...

Maybe I'm just lucky, or maybe you are not lucky. ???

 

Thanks for the responses folks.
I appreciate you taking a minute to share your comments & tips.

 

My power steering fluid leaks but we put some Lucas oil stop leak in with the new fluid and its been fine for months.