ot need halp on toyota tacoma

ericlb · Jul 2, 2015

i need some help, im working on a 1999 toyota tacoma 4x4 truck for a elderly man the steering rack has a outer seal leaking on it, shouldnt be that big a project i thought, got a reseal kit from toyota, and a over the counter manual for the truck, as usual the manual skips right over the steering rack,about the 4th manual ive bought with not much usable info in it , i have to do this on the truck as "goober" has already been in there with his american sized tools and rounded the rack mounting nuts off sometime in the past, and i can get them loose now, can anybody tell me how to get to the seal and get it out, i have the boot loose and the outer tie rod off, just need to know how to proceed from here

ericlb · Jul 2, 2015

"cant get the nuts loose now"

GregCO · Jul 2, 2015

Not sure as I have never worked on one, but if you Google Toyota forums i bet you get all the help you need.

Greg

Steve@Advance · Jul 2, 2015

The steering rack is typically replaced with a rebuilt exchange unit. There may be other problems, like worn bushings or internal seals leaking, putting too much pressure on the outer seals, especially if someone's been in there before. Expensive, but sometimes that's the practical solution.

If you want to try the seals, might check Youtube.

The rounded nuts, could you get Vice Grips on them? Otherwise split them with an angle grinder.

jimg.allentown · Jul 2, 2015

I have rebuilt steering racks in the past. You need special tools to extract the seal from the rack because it is recessed deep into the housing (unless Toyota builds theirs differently). You will also need a special tool to install new seals. There are actually quite a few special tools involved in working on a steering rack.

One possible suggestion: if the rack is only leaking a little, in most cases it is because the seals have lost their elasticity, and no longer maintain a tight seal to the rack. Put about 1/2 cup of brake fluid in the P/S system. In most cases, it rejuvenates the seals, and I have had them last for YEARS after such a treatment.

Failing that, I would recommend simply replacing the rack. They just aren't that expensive any more.

gab · Jul 2, 2015

Never worked on a Toyoto rack but have put a lot of seal kits in the pinion shafts on GM racks, never seen anybody put seals in the ends of a rack. We put rebuilt ones in.

Sprint 6 · Jul 2, 2015

For the love of everything sacred, DO NOT PUT BRAKE FLUID IN THE POWER STEERING! It will swell and ruin every rubber piece in the system. I have been involved in repairing disasters caused by "just a little to swell the seals."

This truck needs a rack. You need to spend your time figuring out how to get the rounded nuts off. Use some valve lapping compound on the inside of a socket and hammer it on. Use whatever size socket is just a little too small.

mj · Jul 2, 2015

Go to YouTube and do a search, there's probably a video of some guy doing it on a Saturday afternoon in his driveway :shock:

jimg.allentown · Jul 2, 2015

I have been putting brake fluid (in small amounts) into power steering systems for YEARS. NEVER had any bad results. Had a lot of them seal up and not leak again FOR THE LIFE OF THE CAR!!!!!!! The whole idea IS to swell up the seals. And, there is no disaster to follow. There is nothing in the pump or hoses that will suffer from the addition of brake fluid.
As a matter of fact, the stop-leak products sold for power steering are exactly that - brake fluid. Either as the main ingredient or at least one of several ingredients.
While on the one hand, I agree with you that the truck needs a rack, that follows up with an alignment. What I suggested is a good temporary fix for minimal cost. And. it really does work. I can even provide references.

504 · Jul 2, 2015

Cardon reman is 141.00 exchange. There is no way brake fluid will hurt a seal,the whole brake system is one big rubber seal.(oil can ruin a brake system in a hurry though.)

ot need halp on toyota tacoma

ericlb

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ericlb

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GregCO

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Steve@Advance

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jimg.allentown

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gab

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Sprint 6

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mj

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jimg.allentown

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504

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