Well it looks like my '97 4Runner with 117000 mi needs a new steering rack. It's leaking like a sieve. Seems like it's the general consensuses to stay away from re-manufactured racks. That being said, has anyone had any dealings with CarSteering Wholesale? They offer a new rack for $315 with a $40 core charge. Thinking about getting one and have the local wrench install it. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

 

If it is a new rack why do they charge a core charge???:wabbit2:

 

Not sure, although they do offer a re-manufactured rack. Maybe they use the core for that.

 

There are alot of people that say to stay away from reman racks, but I have had decent luck with my reman Autozone rack. I replaced my OEM rack 5 years ago with the Autozone lifetime warranty reman rack. I just replaced it again under warranty because it had a very slight bit of slop. It probably would have lasted a while longer but they replaced it for free no questions asked.

If you have even a small bit of mechanical knowledge, replacing the rack yourself is not that bad. I just did it on my own with this write up and it was fairly straight forward: http://ttora.com/forum/showthread.ph...g+rack+removal

Good luck, Jason

 

I replaced mine a couple of months ago with an A1 Cardone reman'd one from Parts Geek for $209 +/-. So far, so good. It made a huge difference in the ride. I have a 96 Ltd 4x4 and it was pretty easy to remove and install since the rack is below the crossbar and not above it. I looked at several DIY threads on this and the T4R forums, and also Eric the Car Guy, who has a video of doing this to a newer model Runner than mine (and much more difficult since that rack was above the crossbar). I hope it lasts. Good luck with yours.

 

Thanks for all your input. Been doing some research on prices. The dealer wants $1,322.77 for the job, not including an alignment, $90.00, plus tax. I find out that the rack alone is $761.75. $561.02 labor sounds a tad high to me. Found a local wrench that will do the job for $750, just have to find out if the rack is new or re-manufactured. I'd rather get new and not have to worry about it for the next 117,000 miles, maybe.

 

Well I finally got a chance to crawl under the 4Runner today and check out exactly where my steering rack was leaking. Good news, the rack isn't leaking, it's the steel line coming from the pump, here's the pic. So, I'm thinking of just cutting out this section and putting in a piece of rubber tubing suitable for the task. I don't think it's a very high pressure system since there are other sections of rubber hose on this line. Any thoughts or suggestions??? Thanks.

 

Well I went to AutoZone and picked up some 3/8" trans cooler hose and a few hose clamps. Got home and with my tubing cutter cut out the bad section of line, fitted the new hose, clamped it up and I'm good to go. Total cost...$6.48. Took less than 45 min to do.