eknine9

iTrader: (8)

So... I replaced my steering rack 2 years ago with a refurb unit from Autozone.
Today it sprung a leak, and I don't care if it has a lifetime warranty, I don't want to deal with this again. Where can I get a NEW steering rack for my Sc300 that isn't the dealership? Or is the dealership the only place I can do that? Everything I've found online so far has been refurbished. I swear if one more thing on this car breaks it's going up for sale.

YotaSC400

I've only seen rebuilt/ refurbished steering racks for the SC, but there shouldn't really be anything that can fail on a refurbished rack that wouldn't have failed on a new unit anyways. When they get refurbished the hard parts and castings get checked for tolerances, built up/machined back to specs, all new seals, bushings, bearings, washers, bolts, inner steering rods. Not to say that u won't occasionally get a bad unit that had defective parts or lack of quality control, it does happen but isn't that common. I've heard these steering racks should last 100k-150k miles

mikef

iTrader: (3)

steering racks go bad from not being used, a lot quicker, oem quality control is always much better but rebuilt ones would have better seals then 23 years ago. so if I was you just go to advance auto and get the lifetime warranty

eknine9

iTrader: (8)

Ugh, I hated replacing this thing, but if thats what it's gonna take, then I guess I have no choice but to just use the lifetime warranty.

mikef

iTrader: (3)

its not a to bad of a job

t2d2

iTrader: (8)

My Autozone refurb sprung a leak in short order, too. The lifetime warranty is nice, but paying twice to have it installed...

My general experience is that "refurbished" in the automotive world is code for junk. As in, they took the parts in the poorest condition and tidied them up with the cheapest replacement items available.

eknine9

iTrader: (8)

Yeah, and not to mention paying for another alignment after the install as well.
I used the warranty, waiting for them to ship it, I think I'm going to try to figure out how to source a new one from the dealer before this next one starts leaking.

Blkexcoupe

iTrader: (8)

Have you considered buying all OEM parts and finding a shop to refurbish your existing steering rack?

Gasket kit - 04445-24051
Tie Rod boot (Right) - 45535-24030
Tie Rod boot (left) - 45535-24040

RXRodger

iTrader: (2)

As frustrated as you might be, it just doesn't add up to buy a $1,500 + part and put it on a $3,000 car. Just keep swapping racks, they won't all go bad this quick.

eknine9

iTrader: (8)

It's not leaking from the boots or gaskets, it's popped a leak under one of the hard return lines that goes from near the bushing to the sensor near the high pressure steering line.

Duck05

When I researched to have the steering rack replaced, the advice was to go with a rebuilt unit from a supplier offering a "life time" warranty instead of the Lexus part as those are only 1 year coverage. The shop doing the work gave the same recommendation. Been 3 years and no issues so far....