05+ V6 Tacoma Steering Rack Bushing replacement

The nut has a detent in it, so it pins itself against the frame when tightened. The detent keeps it from spinning when you go to torque the bolt.

With that said...it only makes sense to me for the bolt to go in from the top in the event that the nut comes loose and falls off, the bolts have a chance at not falling out. But that's nothing a little Loctite can't help prevent. I'd bet the truck was assembled with the steering rack in before the engine was lowered in. Lucky for you yours were already bolted from the bottom. I'm thinking now that I should leave all the A/C parts in place, cut the driver's side bolt, replace it with a new one, and bolt them back from below with thread locker.

 

So is this possible to do with the rack in the truck on the prerunners?

Not saying "easy".. but possible... I'd rather not have to wrestle the rack out.....

 

I'd also like to know if it can be done this way

 

Yes it can, but it is a biatch, be prepared to cuss a bit...I thought it couldn't be done, but it can, just a bit on the time consuming side...

 

I'm thinking this is whats wrong with mine. The steering wheels bounces all around when I hit bumps. I don't have any way to describe it other than loose.

I'm not sure that I'm patient enough to do this myself...

 

You may be describing a condition where early model 2nd gen Tacomas had a shitty intermediate steering shaft. Toyota updated the part in 2010.

Steering Intermediate Shaft Replaced TSB-0119-10

 

I replaced my steering rack due to a leak at the input shaft. Removing the stock bushings from the new remanufactured rack was a pain in the ass. I cannot imagine trying to do this with the rack still in the truck. I did this with a small prybar as I didn't own a pickle fork so your experience may be much better with the proper tools. If you have access to an air powered device, I could see doing this with the rack in situ. Otherwise, on the 4x4 I would strongly caution against that course of action.

 

HELP... after 6 hours of getting the rack out (power steering line couplers were trouble..)..

I can't seem to get that "sleeve" to come out.. I tried pulling just the bushing.. and this is all that came out? Rack is left like this now... not sure where to go... clock is ticking for monday too...

 

This doesn't look very good, the rubber part is still in the hole....others will chime in here....you need to remove the rubber bushing, clean up the hole, then install the new bushing and center sleeve...be careful not to fubar the outer sleeve when removing the bushing proper as a smooth surface will make inserting the new bushing much easier....

a hacksaw or sawsall tool will help with cutting the rubber....you can use a socket of the right diameter to bang it out, or a chisel...it will be a biatch at best....good luck...

 

I'm not really getting how that inner rubber is supposed to slide cleanly out of that outer sleeve... and that outer sleeve is getting destroyed as I'm trying to pickle fork it out... it's like it's cemented in there...

 

Heres where I'm at now... doing a number on my rack too...

 

You need to get some help, it seems your understanding of what is needed to complete the job properly is lacking....there are times when I screwed up a repair, simply because it was the first time and I forged on without regard to the outcome, ended up buying a whole new part rather than an easy fix....

Maybe when the sun rises others will chime in with some helpful advise....hoping for the best...BTW, where in California do you live?

 

Im just not understanding that outer metal sleeve.... if your bending it to pickle fork it out... and it takes the rubber with it... what allows you to remove the inner rubber from it? Am I just being dumb and you dont put that outer metal sleeve back in?

San diego....

 

See post 90. I explained some ways to remove the rubber bushing.

Do a search here, there are additional threads that can better explain the 2nd gen, my experience is limited to the 1st gen right now...

 

You gotta get that sleeve out. I'd hit it under the lip with a flat tipped screwdriver. Try penetrating oil too.

If you can bring the rack somewhere, go to E&M Auto in El Cajon. They can help you.

 

Do you re-insert the sleeve?

 

No. Goes into trash. That's my understanding based on OP's pics.

 

thank you! because im definitely destroying it trying to get it out...

getting worried that im doing a number on the rack as well flipping it and banging it and stuff...

 

rack is done!

However..does anyone have the part number for the new Toyota bolt? I threw a home depot one in there FOR NOW.....

 

And there goes my clock spring

Oriellys..200 dollars later