rack and pinion problems - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

Ant0715 · 12-19-2007, 05:19 PM

i just bought this car 2 weeks ago. i replaced the rack because my mechanic told me the bushings were bad and the rack shouldnt be moving at all. should it be moving? so i took it in yesterday and got all the work done and everything was fine. but on my way home from work today, i noticed it was doing the same as before but not as much. im afraid i payed all this money for nothing if it starts doing it again. he also told me my subframe took a beaten. where can i get a subframe and how much would it cost?

***toyomoho*** · 12-20-2007, 07:17 PM

Just what is the car doing? Sub-frame supports the engine and trans, bolts to the car body. There are bushings between this frame and car body. Did the mechanic state repairing the steering would solve the problem? Suggest you get a second opinion from someone else. Just describe the symptoms and let the shop tell you what they think is wrong.

***eyeball96*** · 12-20-2007, 07:44 PM

i just bought this car 2 weeks ago...what car did u buy?? make model and year would be helpful.

Ant0715 · 12-20-2007, 09:07 PM

94 toyota camry v6 sedan. my rack and pinion was moving 1/4" left and right when i would turn and also make a "clank" sound. had to replace the whole rack because the bushings were bad and could not be bought anywhere. my mechanic told me my subframe took a beaten when he installed the new one. im just hoping anyone knows where i can get a subframe and how much would it cost. if not im just going to sell it before i have a pile of junk sitting in my yard.

Novice_cardude · 12-20-2007, 09:54 PM

How did the subframe take a beating changing the steering rack out? And I'm having a hard time believing that you had to buy a whole new rack to replace the rack bushings. usually you can order the bushings from Napa, and just press them in. Of course, this involves more labor than just changing the rack, and pays a lot less, so now at least we know why you replaced your entire rack...

I would make your mechanic show you exactly where the remaining play in the steering system is, why the subframe needs to be replaced, and how it got "beat up" in the process of changing a steering rack. The most i've had to do with a subframe while changing a rack is lower it enough to allow the steering gear to slide out. I smell BS.

As far as changing the subframe, the part should not be that expensive, and it's not really that difficult to change, but without the proper lift/support equipment it can be risky. Let us know what happens!

Ant0715 · 12-21-2007, 05:18 PM

sorry i mislead you and didnt fully explain. theres a bolt that holds the rack down. well the 2 lil arms that the bolt goes thru the holes and rack, got messed up. instead of having circular holes, its more of an oval shape and its not holding my new rack in place. instead of my mechanic welding a plate on the old arms and cutting a hole out, he rather replace the subframe which would be better. (thats what he told me). just so it is clear, the subframe didnt get messed up during installation of the new rack. it was while i was driving with the old one moving.

phokisonyou · 12-22-2007, 08:41 AM

I had my rack and pinion replaced earlier this year, cost me like $80 bucks for the part (without the core charge) and then $100 bucks for my mechanic to fix it. Mine was leaking so bad that I was putting power steering fluid in my car every other day.. that just happened all of a sudden lol. I hope you get it fixed.. welcome to the Cam world!