Need help Steering Rack 96

[marragtop]

I have a 96 Camry LE 4 dr, 4 cyl, AT. The PS fluid is leaking pretty badly out of the dust boot by the tie rod on the passenger side. Therefore, I'm assuming I need to put a new steering rack/gear in. How difficult is this to do? Does the subframe need to be dropped, and what about disconecting from the steering column? Any and all advice is appreciated.

thanks,
Mike

[blackhawk]

yah i do believe the sub frame have to be dropped at lest from what i have been told , i have the same problem if you know of a good web site i can get one from post it please

[marragtop]

The chiltons manual doesn't mention dropping the sub frame. It does say that you need to unbolt and move the sway bar out of the way. What I'm not clear on is the disconnect from the steering column process. It mentions "A" and "B" bolts, one of which I can't seem to locate. HOpefully, something that has done this repair will jump in. Also, Autzone and rockauto.com have the full unit for about $150 exchange.

[milano maroon]

Go to this link! I just did my '97 (GEN 4) and his instructions worked well. Did not, however, remove the O2 sensor.

http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/t108185.html

Still took a little bit of time (I'm just not very fast it seems). There is only one bolt at the steering column clamp to the rack's control housing. It's a little difficult to seperate but it will work. Plan on a front end alignment.

Jeff

[marragtop]

Thanks for the replies, but as always I have more questions. The 'cradle' that is referenced in the link, is that the subframe? Also, I have a 4cyl and not the 6, so do I really need to lower the subframe? Since I have the 4 cyl, I assume the O2 sensor step is not needed.

Keep those replies coming.

Mike

[milano maroon]

I don't know if the cradle is the subframe or not, what I did find was the 4 bolts which need to be removed to loosen the sway bar are in very tight quarters. By allowing the cradle to be lowered it gives you more room to get these out. That is the only reason I could see. I don't believe Toyota lists this as a step, it's just a way to make it a little easier.
Jeff

[marragtop]

If lowering the 'cradle' is only necessary to get to the sway bar, then I don't think I need to do that. I have the 4 cyl and I think I can get to the sway bar bolts fairly easily. With that being the case, will I have enough clearance to pull the rack down from the steering coupler without lowering anything else? Also, does the new rack coming with the rack bushings?

Thanks for the continuing replies on this.

[milano maroon]

I don't know if you will have enough room or not. I suggest you try it without lowering if feel you can get the sway bar bolts out easily. Like I said, I don't believe Toyota requires the cradle to be lowered. Actually in my case, the steering shaft coupler pushed up towards the firewall, however, it was a pain to get it loose enough to slide on the racks control shaft.

Don't know what you mean by bushings. You do not get tie rod ends, you need to reuse your own if they are OK.

The two large 19mm bolts holding the rack in place are tough. They go back in at 134 ft/lbs so they can be hard to break loose.

Mark your pressure and return lines so you know which is which. They can get jostled around as you fight with the rack getting it out. Put new o-rings on them before re-installing. Should come with the new rack.

Probably the most important piece of advice I could give is this - you probably will find you need to be completely under the car when you work on this. The best would be to do it while on a lift. Since most of us don't have a car lift and have to put the car on jackstands BE CAREFUL! Block it up well. I usually put redundant jack stands in place. Or place the wheels and tires where they will hold the car up if it slips. The Camry sits so low that if it were to fall on you...

Jeff