I have a leaking steering rack on '07 RX350 so it needs to be replaced.

My options are:

1. Re-manufactured units from Detroit axle (or similar) on eBay ~$170
2. CARDONE unit (new) from Rockauto $295
3. Used 4year old OEM unit (off of 2009 RX350) in good condition with confirmed 50,000 miles on it. $200.

What do you think is the best option?

Thank you.

 

4. Lucas Oil PS stop leak, $4 ?? Worked for me, just replaced boots.

BTW, if you end up with the used rack, there is a tsb for replacing the seals on the rack to fix the leaking. Might be worth doing while its on the bench.

 

I went with a used 2001-2003 Highlander steering rack with 150k miles on mine for around 100 bucks. It was in really good shape and the boots were not torn. Doesn't leak at all and feels sportier like my 2002 Highlander. You will need to use 04-09 RX outer tie rods because the 01-03 Highlander ones are not the correct taper for the front knuckle (too small). I just got new inners and outers though as the rack was already outside of the car.

 

I would do a little more hunting. Check offer up and market place
idk if the es300/ rx300 and 330 use the same steering rack but it wouldn’t be too hard to find out.
this is in my home town and I bet you could get it for $100 plus shipping then the one in as you could try for $50 but I think 60-70 is more likely.

 

Not sponsored by them but have used them multiple times on different cars. Detroit Axle is great bang for your buck when it comes to reman steering racks. Replaced my RX330 with a rack from them and it was fine until I got rid of the car.

 

These racks all share the same design and subframes (Inner and outer rods may need to be swapped accordingly, ask me for more info)


Old style (01-03) rack:
2001-2003 Highlander (16:1, 3 TTL) - Doesn't feel as numb as 04-09 RX rack, actually feels quite good

Halfway (Has new pinion boot size, but still same internal seal kit):
2002-2006 ES, Camry (16:1, 3.1 TTL) - Don't remember
2004-2008 Solara (16:1, 3.1 TTL) - Haven't tried yet
2005-2012 Avalon (16:1, 3.2 TTL) - Haven't tried yet

Newer style (04-09) rack:
2004-2007 Highlander, 2004-2009 RX (16:1, 3 TTL)
2007-2012 ES, 2007-2011 Camry (16:1, 3.2 TTL) - Test drove a lot of these (I4 & V6), feels almost identical to 04-09 RX rack
2004-2010 Sienna - (15.5:1, 3.4 TTL) - Drove a few of these (07-10), feels like 04-09 RX rack with more TTL and more vague

 

So would those I posted photos of from offer up work?

 

Very likely yes, unless the ES was a pre-2002 model, then it would be compatible with an RX300 instead of an RX330/350

 

technically an early 350 is still second gen and as far as frame and dimensions first and second gen Rx are virtually identical as far as frame dimension goes. I would doubt that a steering rack from an rx300 would not fit in a 330 / 350 it should be the same size and configuration.

but I would need to see and measure them to be 100% sure. I would defer to your guess on this with a small flicker of hope that the earlier gen part is compatible with the second gen design.

 

An RX300 is not actually the same frame as a RX330/350, but it's similar. It's still using the old 90s architecture up front from the older 90s Camrys 99-03 Sienna, etc. The RX300 shares the rear chassis / floorpan / subframe, etc but the 2004+ RX models have different suspension and metal in the rear that resembles a 2004-2007 Highlander, and everything up front that resembles an 2001-2007 Highlander and 02+ Camry, etc. If you see pics of the steering rack, you can see that the RX300, 90s-01 Camry/ES300 rack have the collar "D" bushing on one side and a regular "O" bushing that mounts on the subframe on the other side, the pinion and other fittings on the rack are in the wrong place as well.

All the newer "K" platform cars like the 04+ RX, Sienna / 01+ Highlander, etc that I have listed above have the same bushings with the same spacing on both sides to match their respective generation of front subframes. That's good for us though as the RX300s aren't as beefy as our cars. Our 2014 RX350 still has the same front subframe and suspension architecture as my 2002 Highlander, although it has an electric steering rack and at 4500 lbs it may be a little bloated by then for that setup. (It drives like it too - not great)

All we need to worry about now with the other racks is if the steering shaft is compatible and the same between them. So far 2001-2007 Highlander and 2004-2009 RX definitely share the same pinion, although I'm assuming all K-platform cars share that between them. Basically, our cars are all parts bins, especially a 2001-2003 Highlander

 

i was tempted to get Detroit axle as im not sure Cardone unit would have been any better at ~2x cost based on the info i found. That is until i found used unit with 50kmiles on it installed by Lexus dealer.
So i went with used OEM rack - fingers crossed!

 

can you please point me to the tsb? Is this fairly easy service ? it makes sense to do this while its out. i just need to get the seals set. again the used unit is in good condition but might be worth doing it anyway as a precaution.

found this, is this the one?: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/20...60695-2280.pdf

 

Did Lucas completely stop the leak for you? How long has it been? In order to replace the boots did you have to take out the whole rack anyway? Thank you.

 

Yes, that above is the TSB. I never did it, just used the Lucas PS Stop Leak, which worked, PS level has changed very little in 4 years, I just top it off with the same original Lucas bottle.

To replace the boots, you do not need to remove the rack. Just the outer (wheel side) ball joint, then lube up the new boot with some grease and slide it over the tie rod end, bolt and all. Old on pretty much falls off. There is a youtube of the method. This way no alignment needed, you do not remove or adjust the tie rods, works!

I.e.:

 

Matt,

I owned an '05 Sienna and the steering rack on it had four lines going to it, not two like the RX. While it might physically fit, the lines will need modifications. I would steer away from this option.

Bob