Replacing Lower Steering Shaft and Tie Rods

Hello,

Recently we found that it would be $1500 to replace the tie rods and steering shaft that have gone dead. I should say that it is a 20 year old 4Runner SR5.

How would I get about fixing that myself instead of having to pay an arm and a leg for someone else to do it?

Kilosim

 

I think there’s some guidance in TRQ/1AAuto’s remarkable library of 4th Gen instructional videos.

Coincidentally, I have a spare set of their tie rods new in the original packaging and am always happy to help out another owner with a sweet deal. LMK if you’re interested.

I have their LCAs and they’ve been solid through some serious offroad use.

 

Are you running the TRQ ball joints? Any idea how many miles you have on them? Ball joints are the one thing I fret over the worst.

 

Tie rod ends shouldn't be too difficult. At least its not the inner tie rods as well (although those shouldn't be too bad either). How are your wrenching skills?

I have no experience with the steering shaft on 4runners, but i have replaced my steering shaft on my mustang and it really wasn't too bad at all. But, the mustang design and space to work may be way different than the 4runner. May need to just pull the rack forward slightly to be able to pull off the shaft?

For ball joints, most i've seen in my experience is people tend to just replace the entire control arm with new.

 

We’re just going to hire out the shop to fix it. Too risky for me, since the bolts are 22 years old and are rusty…

 

The steering shaft will be a fight if it hasn't been replaced before. Will benefit from a torch and air chisel in a shop.

How's your steering rack leakage situation?

 

That’s likely the best move in your circumstances. You might get another quote or two to be sure they’re pricing it fairly. Highly recommend asking around about reputable shops in local FB 4Runner groups.

 

Yeah… I had to replace the rear window regulator a few weeks ago and one of the screws connecting the motor to the actual regulator was fused. I ended up calling upon a guy I know who works at the shop we have been using since we bought this car. He used a hammer-impact thing that I didn’t know existed. I don’t think the shaft has received any maintenance at all in its 20 years of life. I’m not interested in contending with those kinds of issues.

 

I don’t know, since I can’t see under the car easily. However, the power steering reservoir in the motor bay was where it should be.