Steering Rack Bracket

Hey guys,
I'm hoping someone can help me! I went in for an alignment and they said they could not align it. It turns out that the bracket for the steering rack on the passenger side broke on the bottom side taking the horse shoe clamp and bolts with it. I have a rust problem and I am going to put a new frame on it but not for another year or two. I just need a quick fix to make it safe to drive, and able to align it. I looked for a new bracket that I can weld to the frame but they don't sell it and I cant afford the whole cross member frame. Has anybody else had this problem? I'm thinking about buying a universal one from Summit. Any thoughts or ideas?

 

Sounds like a ‘Where there is a will there is a way’ type situation. You can make it happen. Keep us posted.

 

I hope so and will do! Fingers crossed!

 

If the rust is so bad that important structural parts of the frame are disintegrating and falling off, I would be leery about driving it. Is the vehicle covered under the rust recall? I would inspect the frame thoroughly and make sure that nothing else is about to fall off. Then if all else seems ok, it's time to find a buddy with some fab skills and a welder and create a new bracket that mirrors the factory one. Not sure what you'll be able to weld it to if the old one rusted off. This is one of those times when you have to take serious stock about what the situation is and decide if your safety is more important than a quick fix (it is). May have to accelerate your plans for a replacement frame. Or sell and buy something drivable. Tough situation, let us know how it turns out.

 

I have already checked the recall, unfortunately Toyota won't help me with it. The frame should be able to hold up for a while still, I think that part just hangs a bit low and it has a lip that I'm sure just collected all the water and salt off the roads. I think I'm just gonna buy a universal one and weld it on.

 

What did you end up doing for the bracket? I'm finding myself in a the same position. The rust on my truck seems to be more localized at the the weld portion of this joint and can be cleaned up and put together again.

 

OP hasn't replied since '21

 

I ended up buying a new horse shoe clamp, bushing, and bolts. I found a piece of metal about 3/4 inch thick for the bracket and cut a rectangle out of it. After I got it machined threaded correctly for the clamp and bolts to fit, I welded it to the frame. Once I grinded some of the rust off I realized it was strong enough to hold, and it has been holding strong ever since! I’ll take a picture tomorrow!

 

damn, OP's fix been going strong since '21


Lol

 

I'm just happy to see he came back, logged in and posted after that hiatus. I think it's the first time I've seen that happen in a year or two now!

 

Thank you for your reply, that would be great to see how you fit it together in there. I ordered up some of the total chaos bushings after reading a few posts thinking that was my original issue and now with a closer look being cracked welds I'm a little out of my element! Got some help with the welding stuff this weekend though so hopefully can get it back on the road.

 

harborfreeet has a spring break Black Friday sale. Titanium flux welder is $135? Get yourself some Lincoln wire and go to town

 

Good call, I just might have to! Wife won't be stoked about "aNoThEr" part I need to get after starting the front end rebuild quest haha but a welder would come in handy for this rusty pig

 

the welder is for repairs around the house. A welding pro would cost in the neighborhood of $50per hr. So there's your justification

 

Very true, being down a vehicle in the household can make anyone frustarted been wanting to learn how to weld anyway, thanks fishninja

 

Little late on the photos but here they are! Ignore my disgusting underbelly as I have some leaky lines and a rusty frame. Only thing I would really do differently is cut back the little nub on the bottom but I have been off-roading plenty and have never scrapped up on it. Holds like a champ, good luck!

 

Nice job on the repair. Looks solid to me.

 

Appreciate that! Its been holding up very nicely.

 

Thanks for coming back @YOUNGBUCK34 and sharing!

 

Looks like a job well done! Definitely looks better than the splatter job I got done hahaha it holds though so can't complain for a first time welder