1st gen steering rack bushings.

Here is my take on the 1st gen rack bushings:
Kind of silly Toyota doesn't offer replacement or upgraded bushings for the racks. I did mine today, did the usual, watched a couple of Youtube videos to get an idea how difficult this job would be. Turns out it was very easy, I didn't have to use a c clamp and socket to press the old bushings out, I just used a small ball peen hammer and a dead blow hammer and the factory bushings came out, they are a joke BTW. I thought that they would fill the mounting holes better but there are gaps hidden by the rubber lips on the bushing making it look like it was a more solid piece. I should have replaced these a long time ago. I got the Energy Suspension bushings and they fit way tighter than the stock pieces. Only thing I had to do was grind the hole in the washer out a little bigger, wouldn't go over the long bolt on the drivers side. I did us a c clamp to push the sleeves in the middle of the bushings though. So far so good. I will have everything put back together tomorrow, I am going to wrinkle paint my skid plates tomorrow.

Update: I have been driving around for a little while now and at first didn't notice a huge difference, but the steering is tighter. Today when I drove it to get lunch I notice the quick lane changes felt more solid and didn't feel as mushy if that makes sense. I am happy I finally did the swap!

 

Too funny, I did mine yesterday too. Took my time, found it to be easy. Did not need to disconnect any tie rod ends, and did not need a press of any kind. Not having front driveline components in the way probable helped me. I did disconnect the one 12mm bolt that attaches the PS lines to the frame. Used Super Lube generously for the Energy poly bushings. Drives great!

I suppose one question I have now after the fact, unlike my leaf spring install where I waited to torque anything until the truck was back on the ground with the suspension loaded, I DID torque the rack fasteners to spec yesterday with the front end still off the ground. Since the rack doesn’t flex like a suspension component, I’m thinking that’s okay? Or should I loosen things up and retorque with it on the ground?

 

Nice, hey I noticed that you are in Cali too! I torqued mine while it was still up in the air. I took it for a drive and it didn't pull or do any weird stuff. I watched a couple of videos where they had rented a ball joint press to press the bushings out but they were not necessary, just used a dead blow hammer and ball peen hammer, fairly easy install. The truck drives much better!

 

You don't have to worry about torquing poly bushings with the vehicle on the ground.

Even with suspension it's not necessary to do that with poly bushings. Rubber bushings, yes

 

Hey, last weekend I was out enjoying the the newfound crispness of the steering rack bushing swap and as I am driving down he highway, I noticed that I was getting clunk sound when I shifted into 5th gear. I knew the carrier bearing was starting to get worn and I also looked at the tranny mount and it was moving all over the place. The rubber wasn't broke but the mount has over a 100k on it. My thinking it is wore out and causing excessive movement in the trans. Toyota doesn't make the mount anymore so I found one from 4x Innovation. (Vendor on this site) The bearing came in a couple of days ago and that is already installed, the mount came in this afternoon and I am letting the paint dry and will install soon. Hope this will cure the "clunk".

 

I just replaced a carrier bearing that was pretty shot, don't believe it ever lead to any clunking but it definitely made the truck vibrate pretty bad at speeds over 50mph until about 75. Steering wheel would shake really bad. New Spicer/OEM carrier bearing solved that problem



Old one was pretty wallowed out in the middle and tearing in the bushing

 

I got the same Spicer bearing. The old one was also off center, the rubber didn't crack but it had separated from the outer bracket.
As for the tranny mount, I got it installed and boy does it make a lot of racket when I start the engine. I think it is a little too upgraded for me and ordered a stock replacement one from Rock Auto. Anyone looking for a Super Duty Tacoma Trans mount? It has about 5 miles on it and I probably won't drive until I get the other mount installed.

 

Do you have a PN on hand? I'd like to knock this out as well.

 

P.S. My old bushing just sort of crumbled when I did my rack haha. Used the ES to replace as well and def noticed a difference that first day.

 

Yep check out this thread, Spicer makes the OEM one. Dunno if it's still the same price on Amazon though

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/1st-gen-genuine-oem-carrier-bearing-for-79.583219/

 

Nice, thank you!

 

Wow!