Rack n pinion rebuild? interchange?

[charley240sx]

hey there, first of all, the car is a 97 es300. I was wondering if anyone has rebuilt the rack and pinion. mine is going out and with the financial situation the way it is, i was thinking about rebuilding mine. i can tell that the passenger side boot is filling up with atf, but was wondering if its just simply a bushing that can be replaced or what? because ive seen that people sell bushings for the rack and pinion and was curious if these are the bushings, or if these are just the power steering rack mount bushings? what other years camry/ es300's rack and pinions will fit my 97?
Thanks
Charley

[JohnGD]

Sure rubber hardens over the years and they all leak.

You can install new rubber seals (Gates Rack and Pinion Seal kit #348367 $32.79+shipping, never used it myself BTW) all when you have the whole thing apart. But if you add up the tools (inner tie rod end etc unless you get the right ones from local store loaner programs) and seal kit, i wonder if an A-1 Cardone rebuilt (#261690) $135.79+shipping rockauto.com would be a time saver and better choice.

At about the same final cost (after all the shipping and waiting), it's about $180 at local parts store but carry a lifetime warranty and easier local exchanges.

http://info.rockauto.com/Cardone/Det.../261690-01.jpg

O'reilly shows 261690 is for:
Lexus
1997 - 1998 ES300

Toyota
1997 - 1999 Avalon
1992 - 1999 Camry

Originally Posted by charley240sx

hey there, first of all, the car is a 97 es300. I was wondering if anyone has rebuilt the rack and pinion. mine is going out and with the financial situation the way it is, i was thinking about rebuilding mine. i can tell that the passenger side boot is filling up with atf, but was wondering if its just simply a bushing that can be replaced or what? because ive seen that people sell bushings for the rack and pinion and was curious if these are the bushings, or if these are just the power steering rack mount bushings? what other years camry/ es300's rack and pinions will fit my 97?
Thanks
Charley

[flyeri]

Get the Cardone rebuilt rack. It was just a simple swap. Change the tie rod ends while youare at it. There is good info on the job on this site.

[charley240sx]

yeah, well the thing is, ive already replaced almost all the bushings in the front end already, and the tie rod ends are moog units, so im good to go. now its just a decision to make, financial situation is in the drain for me.
Charley

[flyeri]

It can certainly be rebuilt and if you do take some pics and do a DIY. I would be interested to see what the time factor to do the rebuile is too for the average DIY mechanic.

[shalepainter]

Hi...I have a Toyota 2000 SR5 4Runner V6...I am replacing the rear pinion seal and I don't have the torque specs for the pinion nut....can anyone help please ?