2022 Steering Rack Replacement - Advice

Hi All,
Posted another recent thread about my mishap on the Hole in the Rock Trail in UT. Looong story short, hit a rock and blew my power steering. Toe is off, steering wheel is way off, one steering boot filled with fluid and eventually popped. Luckily I was able to get the 4R back down the 26 mile trail and park it. Working on getting it home via a car hauler.

Here's my question, what is my worst case scenario with repairs. If I'm looking at a whole new steering rack, what's my ballpark parts and labor ? Seems like $2k ? Is this something y'all would recommend having the dealer do, or can my trusted mechanic handle it ? I know the dealer would be more $. It's a 2022 with 5k miles so I want it to be as it was. Even though my power steering pump was on borrowed time, it didn't start squealing even after the boot blew (only 6 miles on blown boot, it lasted 20). Is it possible that the entire rack doesn't need to be replaced, just parts on one side ?

Is there some super duper steering rack that someone makes that I should consider at this point in lieu of the Toyota OEM? In my research it seems the rack is kind of a weak point on these and FJ's.

Sorry for the random thoughts and lack of information. I'm just trying to get an idea of worst case scenario and hope it is not as bad as that.

Thank you all very much for any insight!

 

Do a SAS? Seriously what I would do if you plan on more off-road trips like Moab. But if you want to go back to factory and stick with the limits of the 4Runner then I think factory is your best option. I don’t know much about aftermarket in that area. Some will get a power steering cooler for bigger tires.

 

What's SAS ?

 

Straight axle swap, I think he's being fictitious. A rack should be around 500 or so well I'm sure a lot more now due to inflation but if you shop around I think you can get it done for under 2k

 

I am partially serious. I am a little more on the wild side and if he is huge into off-roading I would do it. But granted if he is not into off-roading I would not do it. There are a lot of variables. Your spending $2k for this I would say if you get insurance on it and want SAS now is the time to do it. However, based on what I am seeing he may not be into that stuff so finding a reputable shop to perform only the needed repairs and go from there is the wisest bet.

 

I’d stick with OEM parts. Toyota stock ball joints for example have proven to outlast aftermarket joints.

Sorry for your troubles. It was probably a one in a million hit.

 

Hard to speculate until a shop can ascertain the extent of the damage. We're all rooting for you to get your 4R back home and into a good shop. If you have a trusted mechanic, that's where I'd start in your shoes.

 

I'm curious about this SAS, would appreciate some elaboration, probably more intense than I would actually do (but you never know), but curious nonethless. I am very into off roading, have great neighbors and we all try to do at least a day trip once a month. 90% of the miles on the 4R are to and from off roading trips. That said, I'm only 10 months into the "passion".

I'll do some research but appreciate any thoughts if you have the time.

 

Thank you, it really was a 1 in a million hit. Everyone with me who saw it were shocked.

 

An sas would cost way more than 2k. It's intensive and extensive heavy fabrication plus he would void the warranty on the entire vehicle not to mention the depreciation

 

Thank you. I appreciate it, really. That's how I'm leaning, get it home and then take it to my mechanic. I send him a lot of business and he is awesome, a true car guy. Once we had a $900 job (plugs & oil change for my wife's car ($2400 at dealer) and he only charged me $200 because it was my birthday). He will tell me if I should take it to Toyota instead of him now that I think of it, so thank you for your comment, it gave me that realization.

 

I would not go SAS. This isn't just swapping axles and calling it a day. Custom fabrication for suspension, driveline, 4WD, brake, hub, etc. components would be required.

$2,000 wouldn't even cover parts, not even close.

I wouldn't entertain SAS, I'd consider your mishap an accident, do the repair and adjust driving next go around.

For your steering rack repair, a local mechanic shop should be able to do the work, but typically a dealership will warranty their work, which is up to you for what that's worth. I've been lucky and any work a dealership has done has been top notch.

 

Yeah I support this comment. I was being a bit goofy but at the same time if this is something you would ever want to do now seems like the time to do it. It is not a cheap job by any stretch of the imagination. But at the end of the day it really comes down to how hard you wheel. You can do a lot with a stock 4Runner. But surely a SAS will do more. As stated it is not cheap and since you (OP) have no clue what is involved (based on your comments alone) I would not proceed. This will be anywhere between $10-$20k just to get started. So probably not even close to worth it in the end from what I am hearing.

 

I would check pricing with your "trusted mechanic" and a dealership or two. Don't just assume the dealership will be more expensive. Plus, having a dealership do it might be the best way to make sure you don't void your warranty.

Aside from that, my advice would be to be more careful when you're off-roading. The 4Runner is pretty stout, but it's not a rock bouncer.

 

It would require some custom work, but cheaper than a SAS. You could get a tundra steering rack, it’s a pretty popular mod for tacomas and 4Runners looking to run bigger tires.

 

LOL, yeah, my 4R is really only driven when to and from an off road trip, and while it sounds cool, $10-20k for a solid axle would warrant way more than I will ever put it through (it would be a waste). That's a new Magneson supercharger (new release pending for my m.y.) and then some ! Appreciate the advice/thoughts nonetheless.

 

Yes, learned a lesson even though honestly I did not see the rock, nor did someone else who also hit it in my group. It's a 1 in a million situation, I don't blame myself nor do I even consider it a mistake on my part, it was just one of those "it happens" situations. We had just finished 26 miles of a very intense trail, we were all tired, who knows if it would have happened with fresh eyes.

 

I can imagine it happening. I've had a few rocks seem to blend in with the dirt.

I hope I didn't come off like a dick. As you stated, sometimes shit happens.

How is the repair coming along? Any estimates?

 

Dangit…more mods I didnt know I need to put on my list.

 

If/when I go 35’s or my stock steering rack poops out, that’ll be my go to

 

No harm at all

No real updates, the shop that it is at in Blanding UT won't be able to look at it until Wednesday. I can get Toyota Roadside Assistance to tow it to the nearest dealer for free, so I think that is what I'm going to do. Nearest dealer is Toyota of Durango, CO. I already spoke with them and they quoted 7 hours (vs. 18 which some labor guides say as one approach is to lift the engine to access two bolts, alternative is to cut existing bolts and bolt in from underside when installing the new rack) of labor at $140 / hour which is far cheaper than here in SoCal. Plus, in theory I would have warranty on the parts/repair. If something went awry with the independent shop repair, I'm back to square one since I'm 750 miles away.