I thought what I had was a bad inner tie-rod, but after pulling the boot off and turning the wheel left and right in short quick turns it looks like it is the rack. The passenger side slides in and out nice and smooth while the drivers side has some movement in the up and down rang as well as in and out.

My questions are, Is this common for these to go out? (I do run a 35" tire) Is it rebuildable and what is the big nut on the back side of the rack (driver side)? Is this a way to set the tension on the steering?

I thought if it is not rebuildable Maybe someone has one from a SAS I could buy cheap.

Anyone with any experience in this area?

 

Interested also, I checked my tie-rods/ball-joints last week and noticed slop in the passenger side of mine.

I am assuming 4runnin2, that it is not just your bushings, as those are replaceable (and obvious I think)

 

Yeah, It is not my bushings. I replaced them 3-4 months ago with poly ones. When you take the boot back you can actually see the ram moving in and out as well as up and down. I noticed because I was starting to get some shake in the steering wheel while driving.

 

wow... I never took my boot off, just noticed play... subscribing to hope for an answer Though, I do not think there are options besides SAS parts, I remember discussions about not even being able to get new bushings (from dealer) w/o the whole rack

 

try the search function, you will find lots of information.

it is common to wear out the steering rack and it is possible to rebuild them but easier to just get a re manufactured unit or one from the factory but that will be more expensive.

I bought mine off steering-parts.com or something for like.... I think it was $400 but you send back the old one and you get the $150 core charge back.

I can get the exact website if you need it, i just found it through google i think.

 

oh and I also have a set of poly bushings i didn't put on if anyone wants them.

not sure if my rack from a 99 tacoma 4x4 2.7 would fit yours, but I could sell it to you possibly.

 

Yeah, Just looked at autoparts warehouse and it says $256 after core return. Hopefully I can find one a little cheaper.

 

i think 256 isnt too bad of a deal. my rack costed 297 the other week, after core, at at employee cost. (im in hawaii though) the shop that ive been having do all my stuff did the install for free, so that was a plus too

 

yeah, I guess the price isn't too bad. I will look around this weekend for one and if I can't find one I will go ahead with the remaned one.

 

Do the reman racks come with inner and outer tie rod ends? To replace all of them is $300 alone. Almost as much as the entire rack if it comes with new ones!

My tie rods are on their way out as well, so I need to figure something out before I die!

 

my remanufactured rack didnt come w/ rods. when i replaced all of mine, before i figured out my rack was shot, inner/outer both sides was 110. 300 is steep man!

 

There are a few options for reman'd racks. A "short rack", or a "long rack". Sometimes the sales person has a big rack (har-har).
Anyways, a short rack has no tie rods. The long rack will have the inner tie rods, but not always the outers. It is good to clarify with the parts shop which ones are available.
When you call around, ask the parts person the reman company, since some places have the exact same remans, but quote you different prices.

 

Mine has play on both sides, but it has been that way since I bought it. It has never affected tire wear, but it is slightly loose on the freeway.

I have heard that the original racks always wear out because the bushings are aluminum, the remanufactured ones are done with steel. I heard they don't feel quite as good to the steering wheel but they last forever. Somebody can correct me if that is wrong but that's what I recall.

 

i would like to hear input on mpavolka, since im really paranoid everytime i go offroad now. i drive like a granny to make sure i dont break the rack again. some confirmation would ease my mind a bit.

 

Where did you get them for that price!?! I was looking at OEM Toyota parts (Inner $150/ea, outer $44/ea). $200 savings would be great!

I think I may try this and a bushing kit before I go balls out with a new rack...

OP might want to do the same too, given a new rack doesn't always come with new ends...

 

local auto parts store. you could also check a checkers/shucks or napa or whatevers around. mine are not OEM, so thats prob why, but there were two choices. the more expensive ones were around 300 total too, and i had the guy bring out both sets, and the cheaper ones seemed fine to me, so i got those.