Steering rack

So took my 11 tundra in for routine maintenance and they told me that the steering rack needs to be replaced. I thought they were talking about the whole steering column as I’d never heard of a steering rack. Anyway they wanted $2,100 without labor. Seems pricey.

I’m not useless under a hood, or in this case the whole truck, but I’m no mechanic either. After some research I’m gathering that this can be a rather involved fix 10+hours. I hesitant to get halfway in and realize I can’t do it properly. Any advice if I do try it out?

 

Also I’ve checked and can’t find any power steering fluid leaking anywhere. The dealership said it was a little low but that it was leaking. I’ll check again in the morning and see what happens.

 

known issue...is your truck lifted?

 

No.

 

Just out of curiosity, how does the steering feel? Is it working at all?

 

Feels fine. Slight vibration at high speeds 70+. Power steering pump makes a light squeal if I cut it all the way and hold it. For a 100,000 mile vehicle she’s in good shape.

 

I just blew my steering rack on my 11 as well. Just ordered a replacement a few minutes ago. Cheapest oem I found was for $702. But agreed with @15Yota that $2100 without labor is ridiculous.

 

If it were me I wouldn’t even worry about until you notice a change. I have 298000 miles on my factory steering and it’s sounds exactly likes yours for the last 2 years of owning it. I did a steering fluid flush on it two weeks ago and am currently putting some more runtime on it. Then I will replace the fluid once again. It’s been a tank of fuel since the flush, and 80% of the pump whine at full lock is gone.

 

On my 10 it was about $3k parts and labor. Once it goes, it goes. You’ll have to be towed. But its sealed so I dont see how they are diagnosing it unless you are leaking lots of fluid.