Edwin,
Yes, I had a very noticeable amount of play on the highway - gone now. It's back to the precise feel I enjoyed for almost 5 years.

Localmotion,
The install is actually quite easy - as long as you do not pull a bone-headed move like I did with the large driver's side bolt.... Email me for pointers if you wish.

Andreas

 

I replaced all my steering rack bushings, sway bar bushings, inner/out tie rods, and upper/lower ball joints.
My steering is much better now, even with 285s.

I think my steering rack still has a little play since it has 120k on it, but not enough to justify $300 for a new rack and the pain of installing it.

 

Yeah, but then again they aren't screwing around with the suspension, bigger tires and the 4wd shifter either.

 

Exactly. I was talking about soccer moms, grocery getters, and street queens like my own. It don't take lifts, tires, and using 4x4 to wear out those factory bushings. Pretty scary thought if you ask me.

They should be replaced on ALL 3rd gens!

 

Agreed. My rack bushings were shot after 112,000 miles of 98% on-road driving. I personally put 111,998 of those miles on the truck. While I tend to drive pretty swiftly, it just shows that the rubber bushings will lose their initial abilities with age.

Andreas

 

I agree, mine were shot before I even did my lift and I just about never go offroad so that should tell you something. It does make a huge difference when you replace them though! Sometimes you even get shops mis-diagnosing the problem (on mine they said I had worn inner tie rods.....I took it home, checked it and nope, it was the bushings.....you could see the whole rack move side to side when the wheel was turned).

 

Jaime, you did this too?

I can't wait to get mine b/c I've always thought it to be an alignment issue. At least I know this is an important part of the truck, and changing the bushings can help eliminate whether it's an alignment issue or not since most can't get the alignment right in the first place.

 

I talked to the wheelers guy for awhile. Apparently, the bushings and inner tie rods are notorious for going bad. Hopefully these bushings will help get rid of the play I have in my steering rack and help get my tires aligned

 

I ordered my bushings on Monday, since I kept putting it off for whatever reason...this thread sparked my interest again.

Well, I drove my buddies new 4runner. A 2000 sport edition, 2wd... I was sooo impressed with the handling since it felt as if his steering was tight a vir... Was super TIGHT. So, I thought it was caused by all my stupidness of "modding" anything with a bolt attached to it.

 

Yep.

 

vir? what does vir mean?

 

Fellas, this thread inspired me to order steering rack bushing from wheeler's to replace my 4R's now-bad bushings. Got the kit yesterday and right here right now i'm trying to tackle this by myself. I was able to loosen up all the bolts except the one at the center. The top bolt is so difficult to get. The clearance/space is so limited that it's almost impossible to maneuver... How did you guys did it? I'm stuck...please help!

 

Gene,
You'll need a 3/8" 19mm socket and a regular 3/8" ratchet. Slip a short pipe (like half of a floor jack handle) over the socket handle and gently nudge it loose. When you are ready to tighten that bolt again, just get it very tight. There is no room for a torque wrench.

When you've removed the center bolt, use a drift and carefully punch the large driver's side bolt out towards the front. This will allow you to remove the bushing fairly easily. I thought the damned thing was welded in place and tried to pry the rack off of the bolt. Idiot.

Post with any other questions and I'll help you out.

Andreas

 

Andreas, thanks for the quick reply. Yes, the center mount bolt's giving me headache?
I've got a regular 1/2" 19mm socket / rachet. So you mean, I've to use the 3/8" 19mm? With regards to the bolt, I've to loosen the top bolt, right? I think the botom one is welded in place.

 

Gene,
For me, I found that the 3/8" ratchet & 19mm socket fit the best. Trying to cram my 1/2" breaker bar in that limited space was a no go. But yes, it needs to come out from the top.

Andreas

 

seems wheelers has no problem supplying the steering rack bushings, but they have problems getting the sway bar bushings. maybe that is true for other companies as well.

suffice to say, communications from them (i.e. updating a waiting customer) is virtually non-existant. thus, i cancelled my order.

oh yeah, whats with the monday through thursday phone hours!?!?

verdict: not recommending wheelers for poor customer service

bob

 

Bob,
I've actually had really good luck when communicating with them via email. The backordered sway bar bushings are due to ship out today. Hopefully I'll get these early next week.

Andreas

 

I've got 120k miles, and I've also got the possessed demon steering wheel problem. I'll be ordering the bushing set, as well (both steering rack and sway bar).

Just to be sure, this is the sway bar bushing I need to order, right?

http://www.wheelersoffroad.com/4runswaykit.htm

 

andreas,

after three weeks of promises and no call backs with updates, im giving up. ive already called the other place, suspension.com, and they have both. all i need to do is to find out the size of the front sway bar bushing. it is 26mm, right?

bob

 

pnut,

this thread is about steering rack bushing. that is an anti-sway bar bushing kit---totally different.

as others have described in this and other threads related to symptoms caused by worn steering rack bushings, make sure you properly diagnose your symptoms before buying either kit.

bob