05+ V6 Tacoma Steering Rack Bushing replacement

yes 4x4 v6

 

Got my bushings in today but it doesn’t look like the ones you guys got. The sleeve on the washer is only about 1/8”. The part number on the box is right but I’m thinking the contents inside is not. Guess I need to return them

 

Should be a seperate sleeve in there. If you do return them, get whiteline bushings instead.

 

Whiteline makes rack bushings?

 

Yes, go to their website. They've got more than just LCA bushings.

 

Hadn't seen them linked here so was curious.

 

Whiteline steering rack bushings. Now this thread is whole.

https://whitelineperformance.com/products/w13400-steering-rack-and-pinion-mount-bushing

 

I went ahead and bought a set because the ES bushing sleeves seem like I am crushing them when I torque the bolt down. Although the whiteline bushing is a little thinner, the sleeve and washers seem thicker. Hoping my next time I get the opportunity to replace the bushings, I'll have better results with whiteline. It also looks like they have body mount bushings as well.

 

Whitelineperformance.com 25% off sitewide, no coupon needed.

 

Another source for bushings

https://shop.stepincorp.com/search?page=2&q=tacoma

 

My rack is leaking. I try to do most of my own work - but Reading this thread is enough to make me consider paying someone.

 

Having just done this, and being in the same boat as you, I’ll give you my advice. A new rack can be had for $350-$700 depending on whether you go aftermarket or OEM. I went with a new Cardone rack and spent about $350 without a core charge. I was quoted an additional $800-$1500 for labor to have a shop do the swap so I decided to do it myself.

If you can do your own suspension work, then you can replace the rack. You’re just going to need the right tools and replacement parts (more than just the new rack). You’ll want an air hammer to get the steering shaft off the rack and if you want to make this as easy as possible, an angle grinder to cut the driver’s side bolt. In addition to a new bolt (I could even send you the passenger side bolt from mine as I replaced both), I’d highly recommend buying at least a new high pressure hose (I replaced both) unless you have a 17mm line wrench and can get the old one out of the rack without mangling it. I ended up having to cut my high pressure hose into four sections to get it out of the truck.

The job itself is not difficult. Just make sure you tie down your steering wheel so it can’t freely spin, then take your time and move as much stuff out of the way as you can (specifically the sway bar). Once the hoses are off the rack (and out of the way), the passenger side rack bolt is out and the driver’s side is cut, you can hammer off the intermediate shaft and then start to work it out. I kept both inner and outer tie rods on mine during removal but I also had my front suspension and sway bar removed from the truck. It’ll be a lot easier to get it out with the outer tie rods off and if you have the tools, the inners too.

Once the rack is out, it’s all downhill from there. Maneuver the new rack into place, attach the steering shaft, bolt it down, hook up the hoses and fill with fluid to test for leaks and make sure you centered it correctly. Reassemble everything else and take the truck for an alignment and you’re done. The more parts you replace in the process, the easier it is, in my opinion, but you’re not in the rust belt so take your time and you’ll be fine. Just give yourself more than a day in case you get stuck (I got stuck a lot but my truck has spent 11 winters in Ohio, so rust and corrosion are a b*tch).

Good luck!

 

Just did mine last week too. It was not as bad as people said it was. It took us about 3.5 hours to remove and replace mine. I agree it's definitely easier to just cut the driver bolt and call it good. I was dreading doing the work but was glad I got it done.

 

About to embark on this mission. How much improvement on the wandering feeling are you seeing after this install? My truck sometimes feels borderline dangerous with the way it wanders. Like caption ahab over here I have a very good alignment and keep my tires rotated / PSI corrected. Wondering if I should be looking at other parts to replace while at it?

PS also should I return the ES bushing and get the whitelines? I did whitelines in the LCAs and they are top notch.

 

Do whiteline

 

Done, Amazon exchanged.

 

Love how easy that is.

 

What a PITA haha, all out, cleaned up, and painted. Going back in tomorrow. Remind me never to buy a truck that has lived anywhere where they salt the roads, jebus! Intermediate shaft removal was by far the hardest part.
That much corrosion in 8 years is crazy.

 

I just swapped out my ES bushings for Whiteline. ES bushings were trashed only after 6 months. We'll see how whiteline does.

 

Got my Whiteline set in the mail yesterday. They seem well made. Only time will tell.