Steering rack

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

where is this movement.

My steering rack has about 20mm of movement

I'm guessing its the tie-rod ends. If so, 20mm is way to much.

[Woodchip Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Woodchip]

http://toyota-general.epc-data.com/l...is/4505/44201/
They quote about 300 US but not sure on availability. Russian site but a part is a part. note different part numbers under the same prefix for different vehicle builds.

[DJD 95 TDI Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close DJD 95 TDI]

I'm guessing its the tie-rod ends. If so, 20mm is way to much.

Welcome aboard...
What do you mean by 20mm movement, where is this movement.
If it is in the turning of the steering wheel, this is normal, it is called steering free play, every vehicle should have this, it is just when it becomes excessive (more than 80mm) that you need to have it looked at.

Thank you for the welcome croozza

The movement is in the steering rack, the bushers that hold the steering rack have worn out which is allowing the rack itself to move side to side and worn out the bushers inside the steering rack. I received a quote today for a new rack - $1000. Does that sound about right for a new steering rack with rack ends and rubber boots?

[luked Member Find all posts View Profile Close luked]

Here is the deal, if what you are saying is correct you don't need a new steering rack. Toyota only supply the large D shaped steering rack bush on the passengers side so if you want to buy the other 2 bushes they sell you the whole rack.

The movement is in the steering rack, the bushers that hold the steering rack have worn out which is allowing the rack itself to move side to side

You can buy a typical steering rack bush kit for arpound $80 (I need one too)
This is what repco supplies
http://www.nolathane.com.au/product_..._number=41096A

So if the rack is moving in the mounts, this is your solution.

If you can move the front wheel side to side (can do it on the ground but easier to feel if you jack the wheel up- check both, passengers side should be more worn) you have wear in your tie rod end or rack end (just replaced both of mine)

If you stick ya head right in there behind the wheel and can see the movement in the tie rod end, solution. If you can't see anything worn it is the rack end, inside the rubber boot on the steering rack (again conveniently another part toyota only sell with the rack) repco can sell it or I got some off ebay.

Best of luck
Luke

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

I had a feeling you were talking about the bushes mate. Just do as luked said, buy the new bushes from Repco, or Autobarn, ect, pretty easy fix, and common (but mine has not worn out yet, and has done over 320000k's), I must be one of the lucky ones...lol

[luked Member Find all posts View Profile Close luked]

the bushers that hold the steering rack have worn out which is allowing the rack itself to move side to side and worn out the bushers inside the steering rack

I'd say you've answered your own question here, in part. If you are correct which is highly likely you do not need a new rack, just the bushes ( i need them too) Toyota don't seem to have a real good diagram of the steering rack in their parts catalouge as they sell the whole rack complete with the bushes, they conveniently don't sell them seperately, only the large D shaped bush on the passengers side.

Good news is you can get a kit for around $80 from repco, they supply nolathane bushes
http://www.nolathane.com.au/do_segue...=7%2F96-2%2F03

Here's whats involved in replacing them, I can't comment on this link as I haven't done mine yet but it shows them being done without removing the rack
http://www.4x4wire.com/toyota/mainte...ering_bushing/

Other wearing parts in the steering are the tie rod ends and rack ends. My rack ends went recently, again Toyota supply them as part of the whole rack. I purchased rack and tie rod ends with rubber boots off ebay for $150. Yes quality may not be the same as other products but I believe these parts last as long as they have no water and dirt and still have grease in them, not much longer, regardless of manufacture.

Get ya assistant to rock the slack in the steering while you watch the rack, if the rack moves, rack bushes are the solution.

If you can shake the front wheels with one hand either side (3 and 9 o'cock) you got a problem outside the rack (jack the wheel up, to check more accurately, left side should wear faster than right too). If you can see the movement in behind the wheel at the tie rod end then there's your solution, if you can't see any movement, I couldn't, the wear is in the rack ends, inside the rubber boot, another part Toyota sells with the rack. my rack ends were shagged pretty bad but tie rod ends were fine but did the lot.

My rack ends weren't far behind the rack bushes in giving up so do some investigating, see what you find, most of the cost is in labour.

Best of luck
Luke

[DJD 95 TDI Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close DJD 95 TDI]

Hi Guys

The only reason why I think that I need a new rack is when you hold the rack shaft (where the rack end bolts to) there is some movement about 1 to 2 mm. I don’t think that it is my rack ends or the tie rod ends as they where replaced about 10000 km ago. If the movement in the shaft is normal ? I will do what Luke has suggested, I would rather spend $80 then $1000.
Thank you for the help
Cheers
Des

[luked Member Find all posts View Profile Close luked]

Calling someone with steering rack experience... haven't pulled mine apart yet so am keen to know aswell...

If I encounter 2mm of movement I'd say I'd put it back together considering the replacement cost of the rack. I'd say you have to expect some movement there. Might go ask down and ask a steering rack specialist if noone here has any experience with it..

[DJD 95 TDI Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close DJD 95 TDI]

Hi Guys

I ended up replacing the bushers with some super pro bushers, but while fitting the bushers I found that the bottom ball joint bolts where loose on the driver’s side. It drives much better now. The steering still has movement in it but not enough for me to replace just yet.

Thank you for the help

DES

[DJD 95 TDI Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close DJD 95 TDI]

Hi Guys

I finally need to get a new steering rack, has any brought an Ebay one like this

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Toyota-Pr...156&rmvSB=true

looking for people's ides on whether i should buy a new one of Ebay or get a recondition one from a local dealer?

Chrees , Des

[glen_ep Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close glen_ep]

A brand new genuine rack is around $2000, those are only $550, so no doubt they're a Chinese import. Given they are built for standard vehicles, and we're running modified vehicles with much greater stresses, I'd be very wary about them. Eventually we're going to run out of choices though, the originals can only be reco'd for so long... if you buy it let us know how it goes!

[Walky88 Member Find all posts View Profile Close Walky88]

Try Ultimate Power Steering up in a suburb of Brisbane called Brendale.

I work 10 mins from them and use them as a supplier at work and there work is nothing short of spectacular!.

The owner's name is "Warren" and he is also the guy that rebuilds them. He is great and will most likely go above and beyond to help you!

[Walky88 Member Find all posts View Profile Close Walky88]

http://www.ultimatepowersteering.com.au/

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

I had a reco steering rack installed and it only lasted about 80,000 Kms at a cost of over $1k.
I'm now getting a genuine Toyota one for $1700 plus fitting in about 2 weeks.
I read somewhere that the cheap ones are From China but I didn't want to take the chance of getting a dud so I'm lashing out for an original Toyota one. Hopefully it will last as long as the original which was just over 300,000 Kms.

[DJD 95 TDI Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close DJD 95 TDI]

Thanks for all the reply's. I think i will look into getting Toyota one like JKAF said the original has lasted this long and
$1700 isn't to bad and will fit it myself to save move $.

Cheers