Time for a new steering rack on my Taco...

[manofthefield]

So I've discovered the weak point on the Toyota Tacoma... the front suspension.  This is all relative of course; hardly anything has gone wrong with this truck which now has 145k miles.  I had a tie rod end replaced 2 years ago (and then re-replaced due to a faulty part) and now this...

I just took my Taco to have an alignment and the shop determined that my steering rack needs to be replaced (bad bushings and loose joints?).  Unfortunately I didn't have the time to take a look at it while they had it apart and up in the air.  They want $1000 installed to put a remanufactured unit in. 

They say it's not immenently dangerous, but I would like to address this before too long.  A quick look at my Haynes manual tells me this may be a difficult job... (I'm fairly competent, but I just have a dirt driveway to work in and not much help, and I've never done much suspension work before).

Any comments on doing it myself or should I just buck up and have it done?  I'm not clear if I can just get a bushing kit for it and rebuild it myself or if I need the whole unit.

Like my previous posts about this stuff: should I do this or put new shocks on or do this first?  Should I just burn the truck to the ground and run away?

[werase643]

i dont know what yr taco and engine size 2.4/2.7/3.4
2x or 4x?

but advance auto has them for 200-500 free shipping if not local....
http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductList.aspx?parttype=252&ptset=A&searchfor=Rack+&=+Pinion

if it took you 2 hrs to swap...you'd be slow
then a quick trip up to the alignment shop

1000 sounds like azzraping to me but I could be wrong

[cafeboy]

Hey fix it your self. It's not that bad of a job and the truck will last a long long time. I have a 95 taco and it has 238000 on it and runs like a top. You just can't beat it and as for that shop (WOW) I wish I got paid like that.

[manofthefield]

i dont know what yr taco and engine size 2.4/2.7/3.4
2x or 4x?

1998 3.4 4x

I don't think 1000 is terrible for this job, though someone else may do it cheaper... I think the quote said the rack was 600 something and the rest was labor and some other BS.

So I should just man up and do it myself?  Looked like a lot of stuff to pull off to get to the rack, but maybe it's not so bad

[yamahonkawazuki]

no not bad at all

[manofthefield]

Cool, I looked at the haynes again and it doesn't look too bad, the only special tool it says i need is a puller to separate the tie rod end from the steering knuckle, and I'm thinking I might be able to get away without using one... or I can borrow one from advance auto... or buy one cheap

[sledge]

I dont think you will get away without using a taper-splitter, there is no real substitue for the tool but they are common and cost next to nothing. I bought one years ago and have used it twice. There are 2 types, ones which have a screw you tighten up with a spanner or socket, or the ones that you smack with a mallet and look like a cross between a wedge and a pickle-fork

Do a search for "ball joint splitter" or ball joint seperator" or "taper splitter" there are plenty to choose from.

[NiceGuysFinishLast]

wtf is a pickle fork?

[sledge]

Its a fork for...... wait for it......pickles! Long and thin with 2 prongs so it will reach into the bottom of the jar.

[NiceGuysFinishLast]

hmm.. cool

[dgyver]

I am not impressed with Toyota. With the repair history on my Taco ('02, 4WD, 106k), buying another Toyota would be a tough discission. The last headache dealt with 4 times in the shop for a leaking CV boot that lead to rebuilding the front axle/differential. Luckily they footed most of the bills totalling well over $1000. I think they messed something up and would not admit to it. There have been other repairs that have put this close to the top of the most expensive vehicles I have owned.

Personally, I do not have the time to do the repairs or the time to risk not having it done in time. Having a shop do it has some advantages, like a warranty. Plus now Toyota of G'ville has been taking good care of me.

[Alphamazing]

The weak point of the Tacoma is the roof.