Symptoms of Toasted Steering Rack?

Hello TW,

I'm actually asking this question for a friend. He and I were returning from a deer hunt, on a fairly rough trail, when his '98 Tacoma began having steering issues. It intermittently would become difficult to steer to the left (as if power steering failed altogether), but would remain easy to steer to the right. Visual inspection on the side of the trail showed nothing noteworthy (power steering fluid was at normal level, no apparent leaks; everything from steering wheel to the rack looked fine). His rack is an aftermarket replacement that is probably at least 10 years old, and this truck is primarily used for hunting (generally involving relatively rough trails).

So my question is does this sound like a steering rack failing? What are the hallmark signs, if there are any, of a failing or failed steering rack? Is there a definitive way to diagnose a failing rack, now that the truck has been towed back to his house?

Thanks in advance for any and all help.

 

I would inspect all the parts that move when steering to the left.

Impact damage to the rack would effect all the steering!!

While strange things do happen when most racks fail the fluid just pours out because the internal parts are worn so bad it has destroyed the seals

 

Sounds weird to me.

If it were me and it was back at my place, I’d jack up the front end and let the front wheels fully drop, then try to turn the wheel with the engine off (key in ON position) and try to see what’s causing resistance or binding. Use the parking brake and chock the rear wheels so as to not die and stuff.

Think he hit anything hard enough to bend something?

 

A toasted rack will be warm to the touch and nice and brown

 

I’m glad I wasn’t the only one tempted to reply like this.

Since it’s Fall, see if it smells faintly of cinnamon or pumpkin. Hahaha

 

It’s just starting to get chilly in North Dakota. As such, I volunteer to inspect all toasty racks.

Husbands and significant others must check their weapons at the door.

 

Ha Ha Ha I will back up your inspections 2 inspectors are better then one.

Then we can compare notes!!

 

I don't think there was any impact damage, as my friend made no mention of it, and he's got 33" tires (so fairly decent ground clearance, also he has been deer hunting down that trail for 30+ years, so he knows all the hairy spots well).

 

I'll help him jack up the front end and turn it back and forth with the engine off to see if that sheds any light on what the root cause may be. My intuition is the rack is on its very last leg. Will report back and update the thread in case it helps anyone else diagnose a toasted steering rack (assuming they don't have a telltale cinnamon scent to make that diagnosis lol).

 

So turns out it likely wasn't the steering rack at all. The truck was aligned just prior to the deer hunt, and it appears they never tightened the rear LCA cam bolt on the passenger side. Good thing the truck was towed back from the deer hunt and not driven.

https://youtu.be/G7OUtwiWlHw