Replace my steering rack?

Been trying to figure out this knocking noise from my driver’s side front end for a while. Was hoping it would be something small but now I think it’s the steering rack. It’s a 96 sr5 with just over 200k.

It mostly happens when turning right while going over a bump. I jacked up the truck and with hand at 9 and 3 I can shake the wheel and reproduce the knocking. Last night I replaced inner and outer tie rod ends, which were somewhat worn, but there is no change. While I was doing the tie rod ends I wiggled the steering rack and there was some slop that seemed to make the same or at least a similar knocking sound.

Is that pretty definitive that I need to replace my steering rack?

Maybe unrelated but I’ve been having an issue for about a month where when I brake hard my truck pulls right and the wheel turns left. The pads and rotors are still evenly worn on both sides which led to me think this might be a steering issue not a brakes issue. Could a bad rack cause this too?

 

If you are uncertain I would take it to a good alignment shop. They can get it up in the air easy and a skilled technician can give you a 2nd opinion on the rack. If it is - go OEM. Lots of stories of aftermarket ones going bad in 6 months to a couple years. You can go aftermarket with a lifetime warranty and replace again later down the road or go OEM and don't look back. They are around $600 right now. Shipped from most dealerships.

 

I second that, don't just assume it's the rack. Could be rack bushings, which would be a lot cheaper solution. Also check LCA bushings. Once they get worn they can cause similar symptoms

 

Also check you tie rod end links. I had one go bad and was making a weird "Clunk" sound every time I turned the wheel to the right.

 

Thanks for the replies! What about the fact that when I had the driver's tie rod ends off I was able to push the steering rack around and recreate the knocking sound, or at least a similar knocking sound? Is that normal? I guess it doesn't necessarily simulate driving conditions to just push the rack side to side while it's extended so maybe any rack would do that....

I replaced the steering rack bushings and LCAs 30k ago. I think I might take it into a shop to have it looked over. I just got a puppy and my free time to diagnose endless problems is running low. My speedo stopped working on my way to the office this morning so just another thing on the list!

 

Might be the inner tie rods. New inners from Toyota (both sides) costs almost as much as an entirely new OEM rack from Toyota, so at that point it makes more sense to just replace the entire rack since it comes with new inners.

 

If it is the rack, McGeorge Toyota has them for $495.00 + ship. Comes with the inners attached.

 

Damn that's even cheaper than when I bought it from them 2 years ago (was ~$540 if I remember right)

 

Yeah, that's the price (540.00) I paid two years ago. Was one their website today and saw the lower price.

 

Nice to hear at least one thing in this world is going down in price lately lol

 

Did you ever replace your rack and did it fix your issue?

 

Just my 2cents

if you’re comfortable removing SR
Take the removed rack to a rebuilder

usually, these types of RM shops will rebuild drive axles and steering racks

my last RM rack I paid for was $200 on a Subaru (no issues 45k miles later (still own the Forester)
Included all seals and inner tie rods
1 day turnaround
That is what insurance companies pay for if rack dmgd in a crash