The definitive Steering Rack Thread - with solutions - Updated 10/2020 in first post

The directions say to do that after you remove the diff so I was going in order of the directions.

 

yeah sorry about that, I had them slightly out of order. and missing a step

 

I did it in the dirt

pulling like a girl ... lol jk

 

I was pulling the piss out of it!!! Had to undo the tie rod BEFORE pulling the shafts. Got it removed finally. Took me 5 F’n hours!!!!! The diff damn near broke my arm. This is definitely a 2 man job. Doing it by myself sucked ass and is a total PITA!!!

Now I get to replace 2 diff axle seals and probably 2 tie rod ends. What trick do y’all use to get the axles back in the diff without messing up the c-clips sliding them in? Tricks for getting the diff axle seals in?

 

Is this even factory? I bought the truck a month ago with 53K miles. Does the new toyota R&P come with boots? I ordered directly from
Toyota.

 

fuck weak .... I dropped everything off my front end except shocks and uppers, my alignment wasn't ever set right so I didn't bother but if it was good I would have marked the cam settings and still dropped the LCAs .... I really good mechanic I know says the easiest way is usually never the fastest .. I've done enough work on trucks to know more room is better even if it takes me another 30 min making more room ‍♂️... 2 man job would make it so much easier but not necessary, its more about Jack positioning and careful planning

 

I’ll pay your airfare both ways, PLUS BEER, if you come help put this bitch back together!

 

@WaipioTUNDRA lives in Germany, but he’s grabbing his passport right now.

 

LOL.

 

In that case, I’m out!

 

If y’all could point me in the direction of a how-to on re-installing these front diff axle seals and sliding the front axles back in the diff, that’d be awesome! I’m sure I can get the seals out but putting them back in properly is my question, along with compressing the c-clips on the axles. I know the Taco guys use hose clamps but there’s got to be a better way. thanks!

 

Just push them w some force they pop right in...

 

The axles ot the seals?

 

the axles, not sure on the seals, never had to replace those

 

what ??? hell yeah let's do this

 

Curious about the part # you suggest. When I was looking, all the Yota sites say this part i for 2007-2013 & doesn't fit my 2016. The part all the dealers sites say fits mine is 44250-0C131 so that's the one I ordered. Also, the 0C131 is ~$225 less than 0C160.
Any idea what the difference is?

 

no bra I live in hawaii ...

 

Let me touch base with my toyota guy and see what he says

 

Whatever I find out I'll post in the original post to ensure its the most up to date

thanks!

 

Updated original post... but here ya go

07-13' 44250-0C160
14-20' 44250-0C131

 

do you know what the difference is in years ?? just curious why they have 2 different numbers for the racks

 

I replaced both seals. FYI: they’re not the same for both sides. I used a 2” PVC coupling to push them in evenly and without messing them up. Lightly tapping with a rubber mallet on the coupling worked great.

 

everything you're gonna do wrenching is done better with finess, if its too hard you probably don't have the right tools or approach ... take your time , step back and think when you're unsure or frustrated, if its a tool issue BUY OR RENT THE PROPER TOOLS ...

OH AND ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT TOOLS ANYONE WRENCHING THEIR OWN TRUCKS SHOULD OWN IS A ****TORQUE WRENCH ****

 

And beer. Lots of beer.

 

Time to put the new one in! It came with a hard line stub that I may have to remove to get it in. Idk yet but will in a few minutes.

 

Good luck, and you may have to but not a huge deal if you do. Also nice garage floor!! did you do it or have it done professionally ??

 

Got R&P in and all buttoned up. Didn’t have to remove the nub. Way easier going back in! Waiting for a buddy to help me put the diff back in.
I did the shop floor myself using airplane hangar floor coating. Thanks!

 

Do you know the torque for the R&P mounting bolts?


***89ft/lbs***

 

Trying to stab the axles back in is kicking our ass, which I knew it would. Buddy has to leave but will hopefully be back in a few hours to continue this nightmare.

 

Got em in!