Quoted $6000+ in repairs for a 2020 4Runner

Dear friends, I bought a 2020 4Runner with 20,000km(12,500mi), added Dobinson's 3" MRR suspension, swapped the tires for "33 M/T and have ridden it hard for 27,000km(17,500mi) without any major issues aside from a failed break caliper, which I had to rebuild. The car currently has 48,000km (30,000mi) and around 500-1000km ago the power steering pump started to whine.

Unfortunately, I ignored the issue and didn't bring it to a shop until now, after the PS started to fail completely when going at speeds below 30 kp/h. I also started feeling weird vibrations sometimes while I'd break on the highway. I know I should have had it looked at as soon as steering got hard.

I just got word from the dealership and they are telling me I have to replace both my power steering rack, and the power steering pump. I happen to live in a country with very high duties on car parts, as well as a monopoly in Toyota Dealerships. The only official Toyota Dealership in my country quoted me:

$3200 for a new steering rack + labor (estimated at $800-1000+)
$1100 for a new PS pump + labor (est. at $200-500)

Add the PS flush, the PS fluids and other parts, and we're looking at over $6000 in repairs for a 2020 Toyota with less than 50,000km. That said, I have driven the car very hard through several trails, as well as obstacle courses. She has her skid plates, but she's taken a lot of hits.

Anyways, I would love to not have to replace the whole steering rack and fix this myself. At the very least, I was thinking of ordering the PS pump, replacing that myself and then doing the rack at the stealership. I already did a partial (70%) flush of the PS fluid and it did not seem to aid in anything. As it stands, the car's PS doesn't work at all.

What do you guy recommend? Would it be a waste to replace the PS pump and see if that fixes the issue, without replacing the rack and pinion?

 

Sorry don't have much idea about the repairs.

I'm also puzzled by this line. This is not USA Toyota dealership and we are not talking about US $?

But if you don't mind asking;
1) what trim is your 4runner?
2) how heavy is your 4runner?
3) how heavy is your tires (each)?

 

I own a 2020 4R Limited. "33 equipped with "17 Black Rhino rims weighing in at 32lbs per rim. I am giving the prices quoted to me in US dollars. I live in a country that has a single massive dealership that receives support from Toyota. Not sure on the weight of the car, but I'd say it isn't more than 350 lbs over stock.

 

Hope you get a good answer from one of our more knowledgeable members about the repairs.

If you know the weight of the tire it might help for any advice as well.

 

Why isn’t that covered under the warranty? The power steering pump failure should 100% be a manufacturer issue going out at less than 36k miles. Mods have nothing to do with it, plenty of members here running 35 inch tires with zero power steering pump failures. If the rack and pinion is out then fixing your pump will do nothing. You have a 2020 model, it should fall under the bumper to bumper warranty (3 yr/36k mi).

 

No way they are going to warranty replace powersteering on a lifted off roaded vehicle with plus size tires.

 

I can’t remember the name of the company right now but someone sells significantly strong Tundra racks with mounting points offset for the 4Runner. For that kinda money you may as well upgrade.

 

Besides a 2020 could well be past 3 yrs from purchase if that was say May 2020 or earlier

 

Yes. My 2020 has been out of warranty since February. I doubt it would be covered under the 5 year powertrain warranty, too. (That's a thing, right?)

 

Replace the pump and see if that fixes the issue. If Rock Auto ships to your country, you can get a BBB remanufactured pump for a fraction of the cost of a new Toyota pump: https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=7051332&cc=3445369&pt=7380

With larger tires and lots of off-road crawling, you should install a larger power steering cooler. That'll keep the fluid cool and reduce steering fade.

 

is there a problem with knowing which country you live in

‘or are you running from the law

Serious question

 

Unfortunately, my car happens to be out of warranty due to time, not miles.

 

Thanks a lot for the advice, I'll certainly look into the PS cooler. Is there any you'd recommend? Have you installed one yourself as DIY? Cheers.

EDIT: In regards to installing a new PS Pump without first changing the rack. So long as I do a proper flush before adding a new PS Pump, can the bad rack still deteriorate the PS pump and cause it to eventually fail again?

The chicken and the egg dilemma, did my bad PS pump damage my rack, or vice versa?

 

Great idea, is this what you're referencing?
https://toyo-steering.com/collections/4runner-steering

 

I'm just rather paranoid with my safety, and that of my family.

 

I’m saying hawaii.

 

Notice it’s Clean Ricky now, we can only guess what Dirty Ricky was like.

 

Does the 3 year manufacturer warranty start from the build date or sale date?

 

sale date

 

You think someone wants to hurt your family because of a question on a 4Runner message board? You’re an odd fella.

 

To be fair, I used to be a lot more paranoid than I am now. People get paranoid. I didn't have so much to be paranoid about, but maybe this guy's actually running hooch with his 4Runner. I don't know.

 

The trails OP was referring to are probably tunnels under Tijuana.

 

I am thinking about replacing the PS pump myself using the link provided above. Then, if that doesn't fix the steering issues I'll have dealership install a new rack, I'll keep the old one and have it in case the new one breaks again. Finding a parking spot with no PS and "33 tires is very tough, but not impossible.

 

If I was to swap the steering rack, should I also do the tie rods? Dealer wants me to buy the new rack + tie rods or else, the new rack would not be covered under warranty.

 

I would replace the pump and flush the fluid. If the system works then leave it.

Most aftermarket rebuilt steering racks come with new inner tie rods, for example: https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=7042104&cc=3445369&pt=7388&jsn=429 The outer tie rods can be inspected. If they aren't leaking grease, rough moving, or sloppy, then there's no need to replace them.

 

So, you live in the United States then?

 

$6k??? That's a dealership for ya. You could go with one of the new reinforced Tundra racks and do the PS pump for far, far less at a decent independent shop.

 

You should not replace one without the other if there is debris in the lines. If there is metal or plastic or rubber contaminating the system, it will damage whatever you change out. There are no filters on the system to keep contamination from ruining the new seals etc. If you are mechanical, you can do this work on your own. I will tell you, the problem of the job is getting the driver side bolt out of the rack, it goes in from the top and hits the AC compressor so you can remove the AC to get the clearance OR, as some dealers do and I dont agree with, they cut the bolt out and install a new one from bottom up (technically a safety issue). It is an involved job but not a "specialized" one. You can do it with simple hand tools and a few videos if you are mechanical and save yourself thousands