2014 Icon Rack End Anyone?

[m122794]

Does anyone know where I can find a replacement rack end for my 2014 2.2 D4-D Rav (expensive pothole!)

Mr.T wants a laughable £755 for a new rack (no end extensions on the list, apparently) but I cant find anyone who sells a pattern-part and I cant find a good second-hand or remanufactured rack as its too new.

I really would appreciate some help if possible - and I'd even buy a rod from you if you have one !

Thanks!

Graham

[FROSTYBALLS]

You could try sending Parts King a personal message, detailing your car and what you want - he may come back to you with a price. For Parts King, go to the Community page, scroll down to Sponsor's Corner and Lindop Toyota.

[Devon Aygo]

Are you after a track rod ( comes out of the rack ) or the track rod end ( screws on to track rod and connects to suspension ) ?

The track rod is a complete rack only whereas the rod end is available separately

[gjnorthall]

My starting point would be that a rack should withstand even a big pothole - after all a Rav is meant to have some off road capability. Depending if there was other damage etc, etc, - I'd be pushing Toyota hard for a warranty repair. Failing that, and assuming that it's the actual track rod rather than the track rod end - I'd get the rack to someone like AMK or Western Power Steering - they may well be able to repair the unit.

[m122794]

Many thanks to all those who took the time to reply.

Unfortunately, I can't claim under warranty as its part of larger damage (big hole!) - I need a new lower wishbone (and lower ball-joint to be safe) as well - both easily sourced.

Can I ask what's changed from the previous model then? You can easily get rack extension rods for the Rav4.3's from anywhere! Also, does anyone know if the part is actually any different on the 4.4 model and will the 4.3 part fit???

Thanks again - the search continues!

[Devon Aygo]

Many thanks to all those who took the time to reply.

Unfortunately, I can't claim under warranty as its part of larger damage (big hole!) - I need a new lower wishbone (and lower ball-joint to be safe) as well - both easily sourced.

Can I ask what's changed from the previous model then? You can easily get rack extension rods for the Rav4.3's from anywhere! Also, does anyone know if the part is actually any different on the 4.4 model and will the 4.3 part fit???

Thanks again - the search continues!

TBH only Toyota's engineers could tell you what the actual differences are, one reason for parts availability on the 4.3 is time, the car has been around since 2005 so there is demand from people out of warranty using non franchise repair garages, the 4.4 is so new that they all are still within warranty so customers will still be using Toyota.

The longer warranties is genuinely causing non franchise OE parts suppliers issues, as the demand for non franchise parts is taking several years longer to reach them and low demand means they will not bother offering the part until the demand appears as there is not enough profit to be made.

[firemac]

Many thanks to all those who took the time to reply.

Unfortunately, I can't claim under warranty as its part of larger damage (big hole!) - I need a new lower wishbone (and lower ball-joint to be safe) as well - both easily sourced.

Can I ask what's changed from the previous model then? You can easily get rack extension rods for the Rav4.3's from anywhere! Also, does anyone know if the part is actually any different on the 4.4 model and will the 4.3 part fit???

Thanks again - the search continues!

Can't you claim against the council or Highways Authority?

If so, then fitting a new rack plus whatever else may be needed would be at their expense. As gjnorthall says above, the RAV should be robust enough to handle normal potholes so something big enough to destroy your rack must have been a criminal failing on someone's part!

[Parts-King]

To snap a track end, wishbone etc, wow, nothing is going to withstand that sort of impact. You could make an insurance claim??

[Nigebob Squarepants]

You CAN claim from the council… no matter what they try to fob you off with.

Go back and take pictures with a tape measure if at all possible

Be firm but polite and infer you are prepared to use solicitors

See what gives

[gjnorthall]

As an aside - if the incident has been such as to damage a wishbone, rack end etc, it would be wise to get the car jig checked - there may be structural problems.