So this is what the lube tech said…(rack and pinion issue)

I took my 2019 Tacoma OR to get the oil changed/tires rotated/u joints greased and the lube tech on duty told me that my rack and pinion was bad.

He arrived at this conclusion because, as he said, “I pulled on the tires and there was slack and I checked the tie-rod ends and they were fine.”

I am not a mechanic and only slightly mechanically inclined. So my question is: are there any known issues for 2019 Tacoma OR steering assembly?

I haven’t seen any steering fluid in my driveway and they topped off the fluids today.

The truck has 58,000 miles on it. I installed a Rough Country 2” leveling kit on the front and upgraded the tires to 265/75R16.

There has been an intermittent squeal that intensifies when I push the gas pedal down. This squeal happens in park with NO turning as well as highway driving WITH turning. Could this be related to a possible rack and pinion issue?

Any help would be greatly appreciated before I drop $1,400.

 

Racks have gone bad on newer trucks, but homeboy sounds full of shit. Unless I'm misunderstanding something.

 

Nope, no misunderstanding. That was what he said. I immediately thought, “I should probably get a second opinion.”

 

Its possible, if there is play and its not the inner or outer tie rods its the rack internals, rare but it happens.
Not sure what squealing noise has to do with the rack though.

 

Did you come in with a concern or did he just out of the blue say the rack was bad?
Also, never trust a lube tech’s diagnosis. Get it looked at by the brake and front end guy.
Squeal sounds like a possible belt/pulley issue.

 

There was no concern from me. I just went in to get the oil changed. It does seem a little loose at times but no dead spots in the steering and no fluid leaking… yet.

 

I’d definitely get a second opinion. Not saying the rack isn’t the issue, but rack’s rarely fail internally. If it does feel sloppy, and you have a leveling kit (these can add additional stress to steering components), it could be an inner tie rod as well which isn’t as obvious, and an inexperienced tech could think the inner tie rod was a rack issue.

 

Awesome advice. What kind of shop could tell me where to go to get this ironed out? A tire shop?

 

Is this covered by the 5/60 power train ?

 

I honestly have no idea.

 

I personally prefer real dealership techs. Not lube techs. A lot of guys around here don’t like dealerships but typically speaking, a real suspension/brake/front end guy at the dealership is gonna be your best bet.
Or a good independent shop in your area…

 

I strongly agree with Styx586. The lube rack is where shops offer the lowest prices to get customers in. Usually that means lowest paid mechanics who are required to try and sell customers every thing they can. A rack issue will show up by excess steering wheel movement before the tires move. Tire movement by hand is more tie rods, ball joints, or wheel bearings. Turn your steering wheel back and forth with engine off, if tires don't move with a minimal movement get it checked. Any shop should be able to bring you over to the truck while its up in the air and show you the fault. Make sure it is a Brake and Front End Mechanic.

 

Most likely not… steering isn’t part of the power train.

 

Thanks. I’ll check it out.

 

Just checked manual, doesn’t seem like it. But I would have a more knowledgeable person check it out other than a “lube tech” also if he felt that much play in the wheels. You wouldn’t be able to keep the truck straight when driving

 

I did read that wrong initially. I thought I read he tightened up the slack in the rack. This should be easy to test with your wife or someone in the driver's like another poster mentioned, and watching the rack / tie rods

 

I just tested it with the engine running and it seems pretty responsive.

Also, how do I test this with the engine not running. I tried that and the steering lock is on with the engine off.

 

How do I test this with the engine off? With just the battery off the steering lock is on.

 

Press the start button twice without foot on the brake (accessory mode).

 

Turn the key to the first position to the right and that will un-lock your steering with the engine off.

Personally I don't think you have a problem. A little bit of play should be expected. If the front tires aren't wearing funny, the steering feels 'normal' and there are no leaks then I wouldn't worry about it.