Waiting.... to replace my rack and pinion unit

In my research I saw that the updated guide had the hex key. If you look at this link https://www.lowrangeoffroad.com/toyota-tacoma-power-steering-rack.html it shows the hex head bolt where the guide goes. However - you get an aftermarket rebuilt one that does not look like the picture at all. I should have been more specific when I ordered. Kind of sucks because if I want any money back I have been told I need to box it up and pay shipping and also a 20% restocking fee. So I can be without $200 and try to find another or I am stuck with this one. I don't think it's right but what they hell, I'd appreciate others opinions on the matter. I could just use what i got and hope she works properly. It's just an aftermarket one as well, not an OEM rebuild. Which - was my fault as I was originally going for the Ultimate kit and went with just the rack and pinion because the TRE were not available.

 

Getting the steering rack replaced next week. My main question-
Why get a reman steering rack from Low Range that costs almost $500, when you can get a brand new OEM rack from Toyota for less than $100 more?

 

You are exactly right. Thing is I called my local dealer which is Denny Menholt Toyota (used to be Black Hills Toyota) and they said the rack is $790 from them. I was going to get the ultimate rack and pinion unit from low range and it says right in their description "Toyota steering rack" and I assumed that it was a rebuilt OEM rack. The picture of the rack on the website also shows the new guide which was used in the 2001 - 2004 units. It seemed like a good deal. Waiting forever and I had to contact them and they said "No ETA right now on the 555 TRE". So just sitting in limbo. I said alright - just send the rack without those and reduct the price. They had another rack there that apparently is different and it's the rebuilt aftermarket BBB rack. I have the pickup torn apart in the garage and luckily I have something else to drive - just wanted to get it done.

Now I see an OEM rack from McGregor toyota for $497.00. I'll call and see about that because it seems too good to be true. Trying to work around sending the one I got back but I got this from management


Here is the statement I have received from management on this:
This is a rebuilt rack, so we can't guarantee a certain style. If he wants to return it, it has to be in a resaleable condition, and he will have to pay return shipping plus the 20% restocking fee. If he has done any disassembly, he has voided the warranty and it is not returnable.
Let me know how you would like to proceed.

Seems like customer service is not the priority. I didn't get what the picture described anyway. Hopefully I can come to some resolution and get an OEM rack on there. Which I know now in hindsight is what I should have done in the first place.

 

I just nabbed a new one from Toyota of Puyallup. It was $511.00 and shipping was $20.00 thanks to a half-off shipping promotion. The new rack from Toyota came with the updated guide too. I took a gamble on that aspect because I didn’t ask about the updated guide ahead of time. The product image showed the new style and I just couldn’t see how Toyota would improve a part in 2002 and still be selling the inferior style it updated nearly 20 years later.

Unfortunately for me, Toyota of Puyallup is getting out of the online parts sales business. I really liked doing business with them. The parts guy I was dealing with was really helpful and ground shipping to my house was overnight! I’m bummed they’ve decided to stop selling parts online, but glad I was able to get most of what I need before they shut it down.

I did run across a dealership in Utah that had good online prices. I haven’t done business with them so I can’t vouch for them in the way I could T of P, but maybe it’s worth a shot. They have a banner with a 25% off shipping promo at the moment. Good luck.

https://parts.larryhmillertoyota.com/search?search_str=4425035042

 

Just got one from McGregor for $505 - I appreciate the link and info though! I hope mine comes with the updated one but as long as it's OEM is really what matters to me at this point. Only 200K on my 98 so I've got what at least 300K left? lol

 

No problem. I'm pretty confident the new one you ordered will be the updated version.

My 96 has 207K and I'm currently in the process of a major refresh.

 

same exact thing here. Good luck! Every time I look at a new pickup I say Nah - not like this old compact one

 

I would have done exactly the same thing if I was quoted $790 for the OEM rack (that's with ITRE but without OTRE). I'm super lucky to have the "friends and family" discount at the local dealer (Heritage Toyota), which I think knocks off 10-15%. I bought new OTRE as well, which were about $50ea. Given that an alignment is needed after replacing one, it makes too much sense just to replace everything in one go.
So...rack, ITRE, OTRE, and SPC UCAs (followed by an alignment) next week. My wallet hurts, but it'll hopefully make for smooth sailing for the next few years!

Great to hear that you went this route!

This. Don't forget about the difference in payload capacity, too! 1st Gens have a higher capacity- around 300-500 lbs more depending on the congifuration.

Once you think about what counts towards it (humans/doggos, fuel, gear/tools, extra parts), you quickly realize just how easy it is to exceed.

 

I have some JBA UCA, wheel bearings and lower control arm bushings waiting as well. I figured to get that all torn apart it will be easier to do the rack and pinion.

The shitty part of it is I contacted low range and seen if they would work with me. Not even one bit. I have to pay for it to ship back and also the $107 re-stocking fee. On the website the manufacturer is listed as "low range off road". The picture shows the rack and pinion with the upgraded guide. When I received a remanufactured aftermarket with the old guide for the same price as I just paid for the OEM one from McGregor (close to it anyway within $20). I couldn't believe it. Needless to say they will never get my business again. Even after bringing all that to their attention. Just gonna move on and keep putting money into the pickup

 

That's completely unacceptable. The listing is inaccurate/incorrect if the guide is the wrong style, and therefore you should be able to return it without any restocking fee applied.

Low Range/All-Pro/Wheelers/Trail Gear multifuck conglomerate has generally been a reputable source of parts in my experience, and so this type of minor detail is something that I would expect to be mentioned on a listing (and if it isn't, then it should be the most recent/"corrected" version of the part). ESPECIALLY if the cost of the part (reman rack & pinion) is 2-4x what the budget rebuild versions cost on RockAuto. Otherwise, what's the point of buying any parts from them over a dealership (OEM prices but 100% guaranteed to fit) or RockAuto (usually fits, but there are also usually several tiers of options and pretty good customer support/returns). There's no "goldilocks" position for them in between if they don't also have accurate & specific information on their website.

/rant. Sorry. I feel for you here hah.

 

Thanks for ranting! Kind of what I was doing. I should have called and got more details from them. The 20% restocking fee seems pretty steep to me. Most I have ever seen from Napa and other parts store is 10%. I could of got in store credit for my return and they would waive the fee but it has left a bad taste in my mouth and I will never go there again.

 

I work in customer support for a B-to-B company and we have a "formal" policy of 20% restock fee on equipment, but we usually waive or reduce it because of circumstances (being nice, dealer/partner returning stuff, mis-ship, etc). It's way easier to reduce or eliminate a fee like that (and looks way nicer!).
But one of the instances where we would waive the restock fee is when something was sold with incorrect information (or we resold another manufacturer's instrument and it wasn't as they advertised). That's what I think you have here...hence, rant!

Good luck with the rack replacement!