Steering rack bushes??

[bunsen Member Find all posts View Profile Close bunsen]

I've just gone and test drove a VX with low kays, and it felt ok. The car dealer had the vehicle at a nearby mechanics for a roadworthy, and I was lucky enough to speak to one of the guys there. He said that it needed the bushes replaced on the steering rack :?:

Anyone have an idea about that :?: Is it cause for concern with only <50K on it :?: Is it a concern that it only has <50k on it for a 2002 VX :?:

Decisions, decisions :?

[Snaga Wishing I was lost Find all posts View Profile Close Snaga]

Did you sneak a look at the service manual? That's a quick way to see things like where it lived (ie. near the water/salt air) and how it was used...

Do they release a vehicles service history if asked?? I know my last honda and now the Prado everything is computerised and stored... much like your medical history.

Might not hurt to ask.

If they were lots of small trips to make up the 50K that probably isn't so good.
What's normal travel these days?? 20K/yr... (i do about 30k/yr but my wife probably only does 10 - 15k/yr these days)

[Andrew b Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Andrew b]

Re: Steering rack bushes??

I've just gone and test drove a VX with low kays, and it felt ok. The car dealer had the vehicle at a nearby mechanics for a roadworthy, and I was lucky enough to speak to one of the guys there. He said that it needed the bushes replaced on the steering rack :?:

Anyone have an idea about that :?: Is it cause for concern with only <50K on it :?: Is it a concern that it only has <50k on it for a 2002 VX :?:

Decisions, decisions :?

If you haven't worked this one out, movement in the steering rack is very comon, in our market we have vehilce checks every 6 months. I had mine failed at a general garage, but a retest at the government owned testing agency passed and that was several checks and 50km ago (100kms now) they say it is aceptable as it is oftern seen in near and new vehicles.. You can get new bushes from Repco The toyota fix is a new rack and will cost $1800.00 for parts as the large bush is replacable with a OEM part..

In practice the rack can fall off unless really worn

[MattWhite Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close MattWhite]

They wear all the time. Nolathane do a bush kit for under $50 and you could do it on the floor in an hour at home if you're that way inclined. VERY COMMON!

[Andrew b Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Andrew b]

steering rack bushes

Sure, Re reading my mail I note I should have written the rack wont fall off the movement issue is different to a car as car racks typically don't have the big round bush to restrict movement to a few mm. Compared to a steering box a few mm of slop on a R&P rack is trivial


I found I couldn't get the big round bush from Toyota unless I bought the rack as well hence the $1800.. the Neothane bushes are only tube replacement bushes the big round one isn't available... at least from my enquiries..

as I say the govt testing agency continues to pass my one so I haven't gotten deep on replacing yet... They had a letter from either Toyota or their chief engineer providing guidelines to the acceptable level of tolerance

If you have a source for the the big round bush that would be useful

[carrot Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close carrot]

A mechanic told me my steering rack bushes were worn, so I bought an aftermarket bushes kit and fitted it last week. It seemed to have about the same amount of play in it with the new bushes, though.

I bought the bushes from "roodogs4wdspares" on eBay for $69.95 delivered. It includes the bushes for all three mounts (I can't remember what they were made of. It isn't rubber.), 2x steel spacer tubes and some grease.

It took me more than an hour... probably two... to do the job. I've never done that before.

[Roktruk Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Roktruk]

Rack bushes

I had my bushes replaced at 100K with a Nolathane set - BIG differrence. Less than $100 fitted and well worth it. Would have done them myself, but it was winter in Canberra......

[Gus Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Gus]

I was told by a suspension specialist in Newcastle that the steering arm bushes are a common problem with the 90series, he sais almost every 90series he has had in needed them replaced. Recomended they be replaced with polyurethane bushes even if they don't appear worn.
I also noticed my sway bar bushes worn at 105,000 km. Replaced all with polyurethane.

Thanks
Gus

[humphrey Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close humphrey]

Re: Steering rack bushes??

Does anyone have any tips or tricks of the trade when it comes to replacing steering rack bushes. I had a look at mine this arvo. Managed to replaced the big D shaped one on the left side, that was easy, but the other two have got me stumped. With all the bolts removed there still wasn't that much free play in the rack to get the old bushes out, especially the smaller bush which bolts in vertically. I read other threads where members say it didn't take that long. Am I missing something? Surely I don't have to crack tie rod ends and the like to get more movement? Any help is greatly appreciated.

[w1dgit Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close w1dgit]

For anyone who comes accross this thread looking to replace Steering Rack Bushes I found this site a help http://www.tlocuk.co.uk/forums/viewtopic.php?t=7753 , hope it helps you. Cheers Guys.

[croozza Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close croozza]

333000k's later, and I still have the original rack bushes in it, and there is no movement in them either.
But back to the original topic, I very much doubt, it is an original 50000k's, sounds like it is a wind back.... check all service records with Toyota, or give the motor a good going over and see if you can find any signs of wear and tear on it or under the body. I would be very surprised if it is genuine. If it is genuine, then the motor may not be in the best of conditions due to possable short trips.

[Leethal Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Leethal]

I dunno, 50,000 klms on a 5 year old Prado would be rare but not improbable

Seems the new format has struck again, 4-5 year old threads at the top of the page

Lee

[dhula1 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close dhula1]

I found it easiest to take the whole rack out to replace the bushes but when I did the bushes I did the inner and outer rod ends at the same time so it made sence to do it that way. I have helped a prado owner do jsut bushes and we took the rack out then also. Bonus is that you get to replace the oil at the same time :-)

The leak you talk of Roo, I'm sure I've seen some info around the interweb where a prado owner was able to get hold of a seal and replace only that part. Can't remember where I saw it tho.