How do I remove and replace my Steering Rack?

[Yowie in Oz Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Yowie in Oz]

G'Day to you all once again. Well, time has come to replace my Steering Rack in my 95 Series 3.0 Litre Turbo Diesel. She has been leaking for nearly a year, but now is worse. So, it has to be done. Has anyone attempted this and does anyone have any step by step instructions? (Photos and/or pictures would be a real bonus too). I have been trying to get my hands on a workshop manual but to no avail, maybe I could borrow one. I am able to get a fully reconditioned Steering Rack in Sydney for $400 exchange, not bad considering someone at Beresfield wanted $953. I had a Steering Rack Kit put in not long ago when I had my suspension upgrade. If anyone can help me with this problem, I would be very appreciative as I want to get back in the bush and have some more fun.
Thanks again
Yowie

[dhula Member Find all posts View Profile Close dhula]

Re: How do I remove and replace my Steering Rack?

I've just had mine out so I'll give it a go for you. Unfortunately I didn't take pics but hopefully I can get it pretty descriptive for ya. I've included tool sizes where i can remember them. Some I can't recall exactly but I'm pretty sure if you take all I've mentioned with you it's a really good start. You'll also need some sidecutters to take the split pins out of the ball joint ends and a long screwdriver/prybar

*park car somewhere out of the way with wheels straight ahead.
*jack up front and place jack stand underneath
*turn wheel only enough to lock steering. NOTE: do not turn wheel once steering rack is removed as there is a chance the electrical stuff in the steering column could get damaged, hence lock the steering
*remove front wheels
*remove bash plate
*undo and separate tie rod ball joints from hub ends (17mm I think, if not 19mm)
*loosen top steering shaft flex joint pinch bolt (12mm)
*remove 2 of the steering shaft flex joint bolts. the ones you need are the nut and bolt. you're doing this so the flex joint will separate. (12mm)
*undo the 2 hydraulic pipes into the steering rack. they are a 17mm (use a pipe spanner or flare nut spanner what every you want to call it). as you look at the rack form the back of the car they are the ones on the left and up high near the flex joint
*remove the bolt holding the two pipes onto the rack mount at the left side (12mm)
*maneuver the pipes out of the way (don't forget to catch all the fluid)
*remove the vertical mount bolt. best to get it from the front of the rack. bolt head is on top (19 or 22mm)
*loosen (don't remove yet) left hand U shaped mount (22 or 24mm)
*remove right hand mounting bolt. it's a nut and bolt arrangement (22 or 24mm)
*remove left hand U shaped mount bracket

with a bit of levering and jiggling, the rack should now fall out onto the ground.

I'm pretty sure that's it. I might have missed something but hope not.
Hope it helps

cheers

[Yowie in Oz Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Yowie in Oz]

Re: How do I remove and replace my Steering Rack?

Thanks dhula. But after ringing around for prices for a reconditioned steering rack, averaging $700, the mechanic at Motto Farm Auto Repairs at Heatherbrae quoted me $670 for the steering rack, installation and new rubbers on my sway bar. I couldn't pass that up, especially knowing that his workmanship will be warranted. It goes in this Friday. Thanks again for your reply and detailed information.

Yowie

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

Re: How do I remove and replace my Steering Rack?

Hi Yowie, I recently had mine done 8mths ago with a recon rack from Sydney, cost me approx $600 (exchange). I've just had my mechanic put 2 new rack ends on it under their warranty as there seemed to be a problem with 'some' 90 series rack ends. Did'nt cost me anything, just a hassle. Anyway, keep your eye on the steering over the next year while it's in warranty. Just thought you should know.

[Yowie in Oz Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Yowie in Oz]

Re: How do I remove and replace my Steering Rack?

Hi Yowie, I recently had mine done 8mths ago with a recon rack from Sydney, cost me approx $600 (exchange). I've just had my mechanic put 2 new rack ends on it under their warranty as there seemed to be a problem with 'some' 90 series rack ends. Did'nt cost me anything, just a hassle. Anyway, keep your eye on the steering over the next year while it's in warranty. Just thought you should know.

Thanks for the insight Shawsie. I will watch that. I had my Steering Rack installed by Motto Farm Auto Mechanics, the exchange rack was $550, plus his labour, plus the rubbers on the sway bar with genuine Toyota parts. All work was done in 1.5 hours. All up was just a nudge over $700. Had a wheel alignment through Beaurepairs, but going to ask them to straighten my steering wheel. Going to rotate my tyres today as my front left wheel has a vibration in it (I think it has a slight buckle ).

Yowie