How to Replace Rack and Pinion Assembly 1996-2002 Toyota 4Runner

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This video shows you how to install a rack and pinion assembly on your 1996-2002 Toyota 4Runner. The rack and pinion assembly transforms the turning motion of your steering wheel to the push and pull motions that turn the front wheels of your vehicle, as well as adding the power assistance. If the steering rack on your vehicle is leaking, or damaged in some way, you might need to replace it entirely.

This repair was done on a 2001 Toyota 4Runner SR5 3.4L Sport Utility 4-Door 4WD Automatic and the process should be similar on the following vehicles:
1996 Toyota 4Runner
1997 Toyota 4Runner
1998 Toyota 4Runner
1999 Toyota 4Runner
2000 Toyota 4Runner
2001 Toyota 4Runner
2002 Toyota 4Runner

Tools you will need:
• 17mm Flare Wrench
• 19mm Socket
• 21mm Socket
• Adjustable Wrench
• 1/2 Inch Ratchet
• Swivel
• Safety Glasses
• Drain Pan
• Hammer
• Reciprocating Saw
• Wheel Chocks

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⚠ DISCLAIMER:
While TRQ strives to make the information provided in this video as accurate as possible, it makes no claims, promises, or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or applicability of the content. No information contained in this video shall create any expressed or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. All do-it-yourself projects entail some risk. It is the sole responsibility of the viewer to assume this risk. TRQ is not responsible or liable for any loss damage (including, but not limited to, actual, consequential, or punitive), liability, claim, or any other injury or cause related to or resulting from any information posted in this video.

[TRQ]

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[FlorentinoRebuildingCo.]

Well I did it. I replaced the rack and pinion on my 4Runner as mentioned here in your comments section about 3 or 4 weeks ago.
I literally had my laptop next to me as I replayed your video. Your torque specs call outs as you reassemble everything was indispensable and worked like a charm for me. My 4Runner came out great.
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
You are amazingly AWESOME.

[tonygrace]

Thank you very much for this great video! I called the local dealership and their estimate for this job was $1800 which meant it probaly would have been closer to $2000. After watching your video a few times, I decided to replace it myself. With some patience and many references back to the video, I was able to complete the Rack and Pinion replacement on my 1998 Toyota 4Runner over the weekend. The part and tools needed cost me about $600. The alignment afterwards cost me $120. Thank you very much for the knowledge and the huge savings!

[KullenBridwell]

Being a mechanic and never doing one of these on a Toyota, your video is very detailed and instructive! Helped me do the job in about three hrs. Thanks for the video, and keep it up man!

[marshallkain]

Great video.
I just replaced mine, and I'd like to leave a few notes other DIYers.
Buy a return line end adaptor. I didn't because I excreted to reuse the old one. That mistake made the project take an extra day.
Go ahead and take both skid plates off. This simple move makes the powersteering lines more easily accessible.

[FlorentinoRebuildingCo.]

I'll be replacing the rack n pinion on my 2001 4Runner in 2 weeks.
I will use your video as my step by step.
Very enjoyable video. Very thorough....so I subscribed to your channel.

[Broozer]

Thank you for this series, it’s great to see a Toyota comparable to my northeast 02 Tacoma. The rust is strong w this one

[chiruloco]

Excellent video, it helped me do a job that it would cost me $1, 200 at the shop. There are two things I would add to it: alternate ways to remove tie rod ends and removing the tin plate underneath for better visibility and access to nuts and bolts to be removed. Banging the tie rod ends with a hammer to cause them to drop didn’t work I had to borrow a tool from a friend to achieve this step, where I got stuck the longest trying to figure out how to remove them. And removing the tin plate completely made things a lot easier. Thank you for sharing this video!!!👏🏽👍🏽

[dbmproductions]

Great video! Very detailed. Excellent lighting and camera placement. One of the best I have seen. Thanks!

[ronlullie]

Great video! A simple but very effective tutorial. Thanks!

[ferrarriohh]

This was a good crash course for me. A few yrs ago I had my old ‘99 RR body mated to a younger, rust free ‘01 rolling frame. Bought a new rack & pinion, in the quote my shop claimed I should get new outer tie rods. From this video, I’m really not seeing why. But I see I can pick them up much cheaper than what they tried to charge!

[mimilove]

Awesome video. Very very detailed on every step-by-step. We were stuck on the installation and you helped us through. For sure subscribing to your channel!! 👍👍

[richarddiaz]

Thank you very much for your expertise when I disconnected the lines and back I forgot which one went where😢

[clgoose]

Excellent video. Thanks!
I also bought the VNSH holster. Looking forward to trying it out.

[godrules]

Did you need to use the two new o- rings that came with the new rack?

[AmericanGutierrez]

Did you just replace the power steering line after you hacked it to death with a saw?
Would love to know if you “repaired it”
And how

[joelrush]

Is this for a 2wd or 4wd, is there any difference in the two?

[grizzy]

Are the torque specs the same for a Toyota Tacoma this year as well?

[Tac_]

Where did you get 96ft-lbs for left bolt my service manual says 153..? It says 123 ft-lbs for the right side like you have though. Im doing this on my 3rd gen rn so im just curious

[hmongBoYz]

Do you guys do 2003 4runner or 4th gen 4runner rack and pinions? I would love to see you guys show us how to replace them too.