2/1/2005

Worn out Rack and Pinion bushings can cause play in the steering and driveline vibration. To see if yours are worn out have someone turn the steering wheel while you watch the Rack. If it has noticable movement then changing the bushings may be for you.

http://www.energysuspension.com makes replacement urethane sets under part number 8-10101 for 95-03 Tacomas and 96-02 4Runners. Sequioas and Tundras may have the same rack too. You can, as I always do, buy them from http://www.macromotive.com

Installation is as follows. Leave yourself 4-5 hours for this job. It doesn't look really tough but it can be a pain. I'll document some tips here that will hopefully make things easier for the next person. There are three sets of bushings as shown in the picture: the driver side, the center one,  the passenger side.bushings.jpg (55826 bytes)

  1. Remove the skid plate(s).
  2. Jack up the vehicle so the front wheels are off the ground.
  3. Loosen the steering shaft length adjuster nut.
  4. Loosen the four nuts holding the rack and remove the accessible hardware. If you have a diff drop the driver's side bolt will not come out all the way. slide it back until the flange hits the fin on the diff.
  5. Pry the rack out and down a bit to gain access to the bushings.
  6. Slice the face of the driver side bushing off and pry the bushing from the backside steel sleeve. When it has moved out enough, pry it out with some channel locks.
  7. Use some gear pullers to force the center bushing through the top.
  8. The passenger side bushing comes off easily.
  9. Install the supplied washer on the driver side bolt and install the bushings and steel sleeve.
  10. Measure that the bolt for the center bushing fits through one of the other supplied sleeves and use that one. Partially install the sleeve in one of the bushings and install that into the center mount FROM THE TOP SIDE. Install the lower bushing and press the sleeve through from the top with a C-clamp or channel locks. Don't let the bushings pop out. THEY MUST BE FLUSH ALL AROUND FOR THE RACK TO FIT BACK IN.
  11. Pry the rack into place. Jiggling the wheels may help.
  12. Tighten the driver side washer and nut until the hole for the center bushing lines up. You may have to install the passenger side as well.
  13. A 19mm swivel head racheting box wrench is  nice for getting that center bolt in. It's a pain.
  14. Tighten up all hardware including the steering shaft and reinstall the skid plate.

Sounds easy but think twice as to whether your bushings are really worn out. I noticed a tighter feel in the steering but nothing earth shattering.

http://www.larsdennert.com