Steering rack wear (3rd-gen Estima (2006>)

[Stephen29]

I see a lot of youtube videos about replacing the steering rack, and wondered why...
Then see this post elsewhere that indicates wear in the rack is a known issue  (!!!)

Kaspars Krumins:  (again he's the expert on all things Estima, and can do rack replacements)

"these steering racks need to be replaced every 150K KM (from toyota Estima service manual),there is plastic bush inside what goes worn, any replacing dont exist, home made plastic or copper or brass bushes,will make imposible rack working correct,,i have spend near 6 month by experiments with materials and solutions, it will work maximum 2-3 month becomes happens again...also aluminium end by usage go more crackable and its not safe to remanufacturing...better is replace this steering rack for safety reasons and peace of mind"

[Stephen29]

I'll have to check if any obvious wear in mine next time I look

[JohnGW]

Your MOT person would do that at the annual test

 

[Stephen29]

Indeed, and I'd prefer not to have a nasty surprise !

Hence prefer to check myself beforehand

 

[Lexus/ToyotaFan]

Hi. I'm getting a rattling/thunking noise from what sounds like inside the steering wheel. I had the airbag off the other week and checked for any looseness but there wasn't any. The steering feels fine too. Is that the steering rack?

[JohnGW]

No the rack is the opposite end to the steering wheel. It runs transversely under the floor.

[Lexus/ToyotaFan]

On 5/8/2024 at 5:58 PM, JohnGW said:

No the rack is the opposite end to the steering wheel. It runs transversely under the floor.

Thanks. Any clue what the noise could be?