Rack and pinion replacement

Any thoughts or experience on replacing a rack and pinion on 11 tundra? I was told motor has to be removed, and or the diff has to be removed

 

So, i'm going to have to replace the bushings on mine soon. I have a friend who is a Toyota mechanic. According to him, it can be removed through the driver side wheel well without having to remove the motor. He has a thick Philippine accent but I'm pretty sure that's what he said.

 

Thank you, I had to remove my diff from the vehicle to replace it

 

Correction, I meant to say passenger side wheel well

 

Mine was replaced by Toyota. They said the book called for removing the motor but they didn’t. Not sure how he got it out. Charged about $3k. My insurance paid for it.

 

Lots of info in this thread

https://www.tundras.com/threads/the-definitive-steering-rack-thread-with-solutions.33539/

 

Okay Papasmurf, so I missed this in your write up. It took me three times looking over the link to find my answer. Boy do i feel like a mooseknuckle.
Like i sad before my mechanic friend has a thick Philippine accent. must have gotten lost in the translation. As soon as I collect all my tools from around the yard ill break out my cutting tourch and get that thing out of the way. Thnx again

 

@ssmokedz just join this forum, I've tagged him here let's see what Yoda Master has to suggest

 

So before i pull the gearbox from the rack body. I have big hands so its a very tight fit to get in there. Ive got the two bolts off and ready to remove it. is it necessary to turn it as i pull out or should it come straight out? feels somthing is holding it up.

 

yes you can get it out without removing the motor. I just lower the diff (not remove it entirely) and you can fanagle it out. You will throw some tools and say some not so nice words tho. That's one of those jobs I never like to see hit my lift.