neilp9876 Posted April 20, 2017 Share Posted April 20, 2017 My steering rack is leaking and i have been told i have these options... 1. Buy a new one from Toyota - £1800 2. Buy a secondhand one - but most (all) secondhand units will also leak 3. Refurbish it (£144) using Kiley Clinton or similar - No guarantee that the refurbish will fix the leak or not create other issues 4. Swap it for a manual rack? 5. Use a rack out of an SC300? - probably no better as they are the same age. I'm curious as to what others are doing as the options seem pretty restrictive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mplavery Posted April 20, 2017 Share Posted April 20, 2017 If my steering rack leaked i would most likely get mine refurbished. I wouldn't have a manual rack that's for sure as I have 10.5j at the fronts Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aaronmk4 Posted April 20, 2017 Share Posted April 20, 2017 Refurbished would be the best option imo at £144, you'll have a short warranty once returned so that will cover any problems Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Wilson Posted April 20, 2017 Share Posted April 20, 2017 I had strong connections with two steering rack re-conditioners in the past, all I will say is beware. One used to even answer the phone in a very quiet voice with"Hi, Real Con Racks here" when he was feeling mischievous...... Go on, I'll cite one example. Steering rods, rack ends, people call them various things, but the rod the track rod end screws on to that disappears inside the rack bellows. inside the bellows the rod has a ball joint inside a hex casing. These wear and the rod assembly should be replaced. They put the ball joint in a fly press and crushed the casing a bit to take out all play. The fact the thing was deformed and bereft of internal grease after 20 years was by the by. A bead blasting and a painting had them looking sort of like new. On the car they lasted a few hundred miles before the now deformed and minimal bearing surfaces wore again and they were worse than before. But by then they were out of warranty. I could go on. Beware, only buy if from a known reputable source, re conning a rack properly is costly and time consuming. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
el_bandido Posted April 20, 2017 Share Posted April 20, 2017 On a similar topic, has anyone converted their Supra to speed sensitive electric power steering? I've been thinking about doing this when I swap the engine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iky Posted April 20, 2017 Share Posted April 20, 2017 On a similar topic, has anyone converted their Supra to speed sensitive electric power steering? I've been thinking about doing this when I swap the engine. I recall someone doing it and mentioned it kills the 'steering feel' The steering feels odd. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Wilson Posted April 20, 2017 Share Posted April 20, 2017 Can't see the point in going from a hydraulic rack and pinion with real feedback to an electric system with artificial feed back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
el_bandido Posted April 20, 2017 Share Posted April 20, 2017 Mainly to make some space for a rotrex supercharger by removing the PAS pump from a UZ. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pedrosixfour Posted April 20, 2017 Share Posted April 20, 2017 Neil, I have a used one here that was certainly leak free when removed from the car. Had a new inner track rod fitted in my ownership, that's all I ever had to do with it. I can enquire about delivery if you want? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Wilson Posted April 20, 2017 Share Posted April 20, 2017 Mainly to make some space for a rotrex supercharger by removing the PAS pump from a UZ. I wonder if an electric pump from an MR2 would be up to running the stock MKIV PAS rack? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
el_bandido Posted April 20, 2017 Share Posted April 20, 2017 Thanks Chris, I'll investigate that idea. I think this thread has been hijacked enough for now, but I'll drop you an email if it requires further discussion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mwilkinson Posted April 20, 2017 Share Posted April 20, 2017 Seems preposterous that there isn't a single place capable of adequately refurbishing the rack. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Wilson Posted April 20, 2017 Share Posted April 20, 2017 Well I could refurb them, but I would have to price up the bits to see if it was viable at a sensible price. It sure as hell would be a LOT more than £144. A lot LOT more. If they get shrapnel through them from a knackered PAS pump they are probably not economically repairable as the housings will be scored. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mwilkinson Posted April 20, 2017 Share Posted April 20, 2017 More than a new one? £1k plus?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilp9876 Posted April 20, 2017 Author Share Posted April 20, 2017 Well I could refurb them, but I would have to price up the bits to see if it was viable at a sensible price. It sure as hell would be a LOT more than £144. A lot LOT more. If they get shrapnel through them from a knackered PAS pump they are probably not economically repairable as the housings will be scored. You should put an estimate together. Considering the number of these that are likely to need refurbishing it could be a good side business? Personally, I could stomach quite a high cost for a refurb if it was a proper job, purely because of the high cost of "new". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilp9876 Posted April 20, 2017 Author Share Posted April 20, 2017 Neil, I have a used one here that was certainly leak free when removed from the car. Had a new inner track rod fitted in my ownership, that's all I ever had to do with it. I can enquire about delivery if you want? Will send you a PM. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fastcar Posted April 20, 2017 Share Posted April 20, 2017 Not sure you can buy them new anymore! Tried to find one direct from Toyota in Japan and was told now discontinued Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilp9876 Posted April 20, 2017 Author Share Posted April 20, 2017 I called Toyota today, they can still get them. £1500 is cost price, £1800 is rrp. Both dealers were apologetic and surprised at the cost! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dnk Posted April 21, 2017 Share Posted April 21, 2017 I'd be biting the bullet and getting my credit card out Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burna Posted April 21, 2017 Share Posted April 21, 2017 I'd be biting the bullet and getting my credit card out Yeah that Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jellybean Posted April 21, 2017 Share Posted April 21, 2017 I'd be biting the bullet and getting my credit card out Same here and nearly tempted to do so when I have a few spare euro , she's a keeper unless it goes R34 prices; highly unlikely Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tyson Posted April 22, 2017 Share Posted April 22, 2017 I'd be biting the bullet and getting my credit card out This. If I were buying another supra and didn't see some major bills in the last few years I'd be worried. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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