[Rmn1993]

I got my car inspected this past week and it was found I have a steering fluid leak onto my exhaust pipe. I've been dreading this for a while since I first saw my nasty looking steering lines last year. This is a 2005 Solara SLE with 242k. I'de be doing this job myself if I had the space to do it.

So, the guy who gave me the rundown of the issue says it's very common on Toyota racks for the high pressure line connections (the nut, I believe) to break off at the rack and leave a section inside the steering rack, which makes replacement of the steering rack necessary. I've seen a large amount of videos of people taking these lines off of their Toyota vehicles, and they seem to come off with maintenance and care. This guy says he worked at a Toyota dealership and that's how he knew. Is this the truth or is this just a pile of garbage?

Now, I see the pressure hoses are a pretty commonplace item on parts sites and replacement doesn't seem to bad. But say I also need a rack (I have no problems with mine now, other than a little bit of wander that I don't care about at this time) because that nut breaks off, should I go re manufactured, or should I go new?


Not really sure where to go.
Thanks for any input!

 

[Camry_wiz]

I sold my Camry with it's original rack but I have replaced two on my old Gen 1 Highlander and Gen 2 RX330. Seems more common on SUV's than sedans but not to say it won't happen.

Both my SUV's had a nasty leak right at the passenger seal where the boot is. I had an indy replace the racks with no issue. I have not come across the nut issue.

I used Detroit Axle off eBay for both reman racks, great price and warranty.

Now is also a good time to replace the hoses and clips if there are visible leaks.

 

[Rmn1993]

I sold my Camry with it's original rack but I have replaced two on my old Gen 1 Highlander and Gen 2 RX330. Seems more common on SUV's than sedans but not to say it won't happen.

Both my SUV's had a nasty leak right at the passenger seal where the boot is. I had an indy replace the racks with no issue. I have not come across the nut issue.

I used Detroit Axle off eBay for both reman racks, great price and warranty.

Now is also a good time to replace the hoses and clips if there are visible leaks.

Thanks for sharing your experience. I am definitely doing all the pressure lines and hoses, along with a full fluid flush.

I will look at the Detroit axle steering boxes and see what I find.

 

[AlanAZ]

I've had good success with the 'Rack Doctor' in SC reman racks on Lexus and Toyotas. I always installed a Magnefine 3/8" inline filter (return line) when replacing the rack, and used Valvoline Maxlife ATF. (Pump out the reman rack thoroughly before install.)