The steering rack is on it's way out...

[crawler#976]

via hand tools in my garage.

Does anyone have experiance with these products?

Remans:

http://www.carsteering.com/addtocart/1998_Toyota/Tacoma/Power_Steering_Rack/80-00697.html

http://www.napaonline.com/MasterPag...ription=Power+Steering+Rack+&+Pinion+Complete

Or do I buck up and get:

http://www.trademotion.com/partloca...=1998&graphicID=F809225&callout=6&catalogid=1

If I buck up I'll be driving on the old one until it quits - we just had a new roof put on, had to have $700.0 in repairs done on the furnace, and I have spent the proceeds from the sale of the beater...on the '98. That's my old pal Murphy for ya - always finding a way to seperate me from my $$$.

Mark

 

[Dumpolina]

Wish I had an answer on this- I'm going to be facing the same dilemma sooner than later

 

[Grim Reaper]

Whats the problem? Slop?

I have not worked on that new of truck but some racks have an adjustment bolt that will take some slop out. My wife's accord was getting a good bit of slop and I was amazed at how much I could adjust out. Some still there but a big improvement.

 

[toy_tek]

Do either of the reman sellers offer a lifetime warranty? If so I think you would be ok going that route. My dad replaced a couple racks with reman's on 80's cars back in the day and never had any issues.

Keep in mind hard parts on remans (cylinders, etc) generally get mic'd and if they're within tolerence re-used. Even though you're getting new seals & wear parts the rack probably isn't new spec... just within wear limits. Nothing wrong with that, but probably won't last as long as a new OEM unit.

I also am curious why you need a new rack. I've got a 97 with (probably) the same rack that has 150k miles and no indication of needing any replacement.

 

[RHINO]

since we typically run larger than stock tires which adds strain and lessens lifespan,,, i would want to buck up in an effort not to be doing it all over again next summer, but i have always had good luck with napa parts.

 

[Cackalak Han]

Personally, I'd get a unit from Autozone, because they offer a lifetime warranty (not sure if NAPA does, too.) The biggest reason why I'd go with Autozone is, because they are local. If your rack goes out again, you don't have to call them up, get a return authorization, wait 1-2 weeks for them to ship a new unit to you, and then you got the hassle of sending the old unit back to them. If it's local, you take it in and swap it out the same day (pending they've got it in stock).

Just my opinion. :Mechanic:

 

[cruiseroutfit]

I've replaced several of them (on different trucks). The reman'd ones fit great... still working great. On my 96' Taco I installed a reman'd unit from Toyota, it was a bit more than the other units on the market, but at the time there were some TTORA threads about some issues with aftermarket units.

Plan on installing poly rack bushings (Energy Suspension) at the same time, at tims loos rack bushings can be the cause of your "play". Get under there and check before you spend the $$$ on a rack assembly.

 

[crawler#976]

Thanks all for the replies!

I already have poly bushings, but I'll replace them anyway since it'll be apart.

Gonna check the local parts stores this week for pricing and availablility as well as warrenty.

Mark

 

[ntsqd]

I thot this had been fixed by Toyota as I'd not seen anything about it in years. First gen Taco's were really hard on their R&P's if you put on bigger than stock tires.

 

[crawler#976]

I've tracked down a reman from Toyota. The part # is:

44200-35042-84

At $596.60 the cost is higher than the others, but it is from Toyota and has a 12 month warranty. The new rack from Toyota of Dallas is only $625.41 - so for only about 30 buck, I'll probably go with that instead.