MR2 OWNERS I REALLY NEED YOUR HELP

Fubba · 09-18-2008, 03:05 PM

So I found out that the rack and pinion is almost shot on my front left tire. For those of you that are like I was this morning and dont know what that means... I just say its bad news. Anyways the shop I was at pointed it out and then tried to find a replacement one. The really bad news is we cant find one. So if ANYONE has a rack and pinion that they can part with that will fit a 91 then please let me know and we can work something out. Or even if you know where I can find one please let me know.

If I cant find one Im afraid I will have to get rid of my 2. Please dont let it come to that.

Mr2crazybyong · 09-18-2008, 03:31 PM

Sounds like that shop you went to doesn't know s**t.. a rack and pinion is the part that steers the front wheels. do you have problems steering? i bet you can find that part here in this board.. just wait, someone will pop in.. there are some guys parting out there 2.. this is a rack and pinion:

Fubba · 09-18-2008, 03:39 PM

Thats what they said i needed. Its really hard to describe what it looks like. but when the car is on a lift and you push on the tire it moves in and out. and its leaking power steering fluid. I think he meant the rack and pinion gear going off the picture that you put up.

masagsxr · 09-18-2008, 03:44 PM

mr2crazybyong: Nice car... Are those custom fenders too?

Mr2crazybyong · 09-18-2008, 03:58 PM

is there excess play when steering? i'm pretty sure you can find that here.

thnx masagsxr, yes they are..

MR ED · 09-18-2008, 04:05 PM

Go to rockauto.com. Really dumb to sell the car jsu9t because of that.

masagsxr · 09-18-2008, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr2crazybyong

thnx masagsxr, yes they are..

You really in PI?

Fubba · 09-18-2008, 04:19 PM

I notice a little extra play. but like I said then it was up on the rack the tire would move in and out when we pushed on it. and the inside of the tire is worn down super fast because of this. And at speeds above 40ish the steering wheel vibrates a lot.

MR ED · 09-18-2008, 04:23 PM

Also check: bad allignment, bad ball joints, bent rims. It could be a combination of a lot of things as to why your steering wheel wobbles I doubt it's the rack and pinion.

muffinman · 09-18-2008, 04:27 PM

The only thing the rack does is steer , you problem sounds like some thing else.
Have you tried to find one on your own?

Is this it?

Fubba · 09-18-2008, 04:39 PM

It looks very similar to that. but when its on the car there is a smaller rod that is infront of the rack and thats what movesback and forth at the end in the middle of my car it has a large bolt going through it. and im leaking fluid from there. I have talked to the mechanic after reading what people think on here and he is sill saying its the rack. And when i asked him what i needed to get he said i would need the rack and not the pump. so now im just starting to get more and more confused. either wa my car is pretty much parked til I can get this fixed. one thing the said that im not going to ignore is that its not safe to drive at the moment.

Mr2crazybyong · 09-18-2008, 05:20 PM

have it checked by another trusted mechanic. i(we) really don't think it's the R&P.. like MR ED said, it could be a combination of a lot of things..

Redstar · 09-18-2008, 06:44 PM

Can you get us a picture of the problem area?

Kev Kanos · 09-18-2008, 06:53 PM

That is exactly what mine did. I got a new Power steering rack from KOracing. I know Chico Race Works can also probably dig something up. I don't know of any good mechanics in your area but it sounds like a solid diagnosis to me. It could be other things I guess but if the tire is moving when it is on the lift then a new steering rack should fix it.

mr.asian.m2 · 09-18-2008, 07:07 PM

same thing happen to me. i order mine from toyota dealership. got it for around $800. better to get something like that new then used. most place will cost you around $200 to install. unless you do it yourself. i did mine myself. and it is not really safe for you to drive your mr2 around like that.

Fubba · 09-18-2008, 11:54 PM

I went out and got another opinion and he said the same thing. Someone posted a link to rockauto.com and they have the part i need for about 350ish so as long as it is a ligit site i will order from them and the guy i went to the second time said he could do if for about 300 to install. but there is another shop that friends and family go to and they say they do good work so Ill probably take it there to have it installed. Im looking at about around 1000 to get it all done and new tires since the ones on the front are shot because of this bad r&p. thanks everyone for all the help.

Does anyone else know of a good place where I can order this part that is a ligit site where I wont get screwed?

Fubba · 09-18-2008, 11:57 PM

Kev Let me know if you can turn anything up on a new rack for less than 400. Thanks

MR2-MRnot · 09-19-2008, 01:03 AM

more than like the rack is fine...i had an inner tie rod go bad and i worked at goodyear i asked my boss to order me one and he said he couldnt find one.... he said i would need a rack....i got one at advance had to order it but i got it...then an alignment...if you have a alignment place somewhere near u, or a goodyear gemini, take it there and tell them to check the front end and they can tell u in like 2 seconds wats wrong!

Fubba · 09-19-2008, 01:16 AM

Goodyear was the first shop I took it to and thats what they told me. Then I went out and got a second opinion and they said the same thing. So im going to replace the rack and that will hopefully fix the problem.

MR2-MRnot · 09-19-2008, 01:25 AM

d@#$ i wish i was in Colorado or wherever u are so i could shake your front end....not intended to be sexual but still funny, either way replacing the rack will do the trick but u can also replace parts of it for future reference!! (i.e.- inner tie rod, outer tie rod, rack boots, etc)

09-18-2008, 03:05 PM	#1 (permalink)
Fubba Cage Fighter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Fort Collins CO Posts: 170 Thanks: 4 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Blog Entries: 1 My Google Map iTrader Rating: (1/100% )	MR2 OWNERS I REALLY NEED YOUR HELP So I found out that the rack and pinion is almost shot on my front left tire. For those of you that are like I was this morning and dont know what that means... I just say its bad news. Anyways the shop I was at pointed it out and then tried to find a replacement one. The really bad news is we cant find one. So if ANYONE has a rack and pinion that they can part with that will fit a 91 then please let me know and we can work something out. Or even if you know where I can find one please let me know. If I cant find one Im afraid I will have to get rid of my 2. Please dont let it come to that.

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09-18-2008, 03:31 PM	#2 (permalink)
Mr2crazybyong It's a toyota, nuff said! Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Philippines Posts: 490 Thanks: 23 Thanked 7 Times in 7 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (1/100% )	Sounds like that shop you went to doesn't know s**t.. a rack and pinion is the part that steers the front wheels. do you have problems steering? i bet you can find that part here in this board.. just wait, someone will pop in.. there are some guys parting out there 2.. this is a rack and pinion:

09-18-2008, 03:39 PM	#3 (permalink)
Fubba Cage Fighter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Fort Collins CO Posts: 170 Thanks: 4 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Blog Entries: 1 My Google Map iTrader Rating: (1/100% )	Thats what they said i needed. Its really hard to describe what it looks like. but when the car is on a lift and you push on the tire it moves in and out. and its leaking power steering fluid. I think he meant the rack and pinion gear going off the picture that you put up.

09-18-2008, 03:44 PM	#4 (permalink)
masagsxr Cage Fighter Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Norwalk, CA Posts: 3,534 Thanks: 1 Thanked 81 Times in 81 Posts iTrader Rating: (1/100% )	mr2crazybyong: Nice car... Are those custom fenders too?

09-18-2008, 03:58 PM	#5 (permalink)
Mr2crazybyong It's a toyota, nuff said! Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Philippines Posts: 490 Thanks: 23 Thanked 7 Times in 7 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (1/100% )	is there excess play when steering? i'm pretty sure you can find that here. thnx masagsxr, yes they are..

09-18-2008, 04:05 PM	#6 (permalink)
MR ED Cage Fighter Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 141 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (1/100% )	Go to rockauto.com. Really dumb to sell the car jsu9t because of that.

09-18-2008, 04:19 PM	#8 (permalink)
Fubba Cage Fighter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Fort Collins CO Posts: 170 Thanks: 4 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Blog Entries: 1 My Google Map iTrader Rating: (1/100% )	I notice a little extra play. but like I said then it was up on the rack the tire would move in and out when we pushed on it. and the inside of the tire is worn down super fast because of this. And at speeds above 40ish the steering wheel vibrates a lot.

09-18-2008, 04:23 PM	#9 (permalink)
MR ED Cage Fighter Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 141 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (1/100% )	Also check: bad allignment, bad ball joints, bent rims. It could be a combination of a lot of things as to why your steering wheel wobbles I doubt it's the rack and pinion.

09-18-2008, 04:27 PM	#10 (permalink)
muffinman U-P-G-R-A-Y-E-D-D Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Sunny South Florida Posts: 5,881 Thanks: 53 Thanked 283 Times in 272 Posts Blog Entries: 1 My Google Map iTrader Rating: (2/100% )	The only thing the rack does is steer , you problem sounds like some thing else. Have you tried to find one on your own? Is this it?

09-18-2008, 04:39 PM	#11 (permalink)
Fubba Cage Fighter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Fort Collins CO Posts: 170 Thanks: 4 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Blog Entries: 1 My Google Map iTrader Rating: (1/100% )	It looks very similar to that. but when its on the car there is a smaller rod that is infront of the rack and thats what movesback and forth at the end in the middle of my car it has a large bolt going through it. and im leaking fluid from there. I have talked to the mechanic after reading what people think on here and he is sill saying its the rack. And when i asked him what i needed to get he said i would need the rack and not the pump. so now im just starting to get more and more confused. either wa my car is pretty much parked til I can get this fixed. one thing the said that im not going to ignore is that its not safe to drive at the moment.

09-18-2008, 05:20 PM	#12 (permalink)
Mr2crazybyong It's a toyota, nuff said! Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Philippines Posts: 490 Thanks: 23 Thanked 7 Times in 7 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (1/100% )	have it checked by another trusted mechanic. i(we) really don't think it's the R&P.. like MR ED said, it could be a combination of a lot of things..

09-18-2008, 06:44 PM	#13 (permalink)
Redstar My other cars are jealous Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Bellingham, WA Posts: 439 Thanks: 21 Thanked 40 Times in 29 Posts iTrader Rating: (12/100% )	Can you get us a picture of the problem area?

09-18-2008, 06:53 PM	#14 (permalink)
Kev Kanos No Skills Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: The real O.C. Oregon City! Posts: 93 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts iTrader Rating: (1/100% )	That is exactly what mine did. I got a new Power steering rack from KOracing. I know Chico Race Works can also probably dig something up. I don't know of any good mechanics in your area but it sounds like a solid diagnosis to me. It could be other things I guess but if the tire is moving when it is on the lift then a new steering rack should fix it.

09-18-2008, 07:07 PM	#15 (permalink)
mr.asian.m2 SoCal/houston's mr2 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: houston texas Posts: 2,660 Thanks: 55 Thanked 72 Times in 68 Posts iTrader Rating: (7/100% )	same thing happen to me. i order mine from toyota dealership. got it for around $800. better to get something like that new then used. most place will cost you around $200 to install. unless you do it yourself. i did mine myself. and it is not really safe for you to drive your mr2 around like that.

09-18-2008, 11:54 PM	#16 (permalink)
Fubba Cage Fighter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Fort Collins CO Posts: 170 Thanks: 4 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Blog Entries: 1 My Google Map iTrader Rating: (1/100% )	I went out and got another opinion and he said the same thing. Someone posted a link to rockauto.com and they have the part i need for about 350ish so as long as it is a ligit site i will order from them and the guy i went to the second time said he could do if for about 300 to install. but there is another shop that friends and family go to and they say they do good work so Ill probably take it there to have it installed. Im looking at about around 1000 to get it all done and new tires since the ones on the front are shot because of this bad r&p. thanks everyone for all the help. Does anyone else know of a good place where I can order this part that is a ligit site where I wont get screwed?

09-18-2008, 11:57 PM	#17 (permalink)
Fubba Cage Fighter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Fort Collins CO Posts: 170 Thanks: 4 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Blog Entries: 1 My Google Map iTrader Rating: (1/100% )	Kev Let me know if you can turn anything up on a new rack for less than 400. Thanks

09-19-2008, 01:03 AM	#18 (permalink)
MR2-MRnot Cage Fighter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Akron, OH-IO Posts: 668 Thanks: 5 Thanked 17 Times in 15 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (5/100% )	more than like the rack is fine...i had an inner tie rod go bad and i worked at goodyear i asked my boss to order me one and he said he couldnt find one.... he said i would need a rack....i got one at advance had to order it but i got it...then an alignment...if you have a alignment place somewhere near u, or a goodyear gemini, take it there and tell them to check the front end and they can tell u in like 2 seconds wats wrong!

09-19-2008, 01:16 AM	#19 (permalink)
Fubba Cage Fighter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Fort Collins CO Posts: 170 Thanks: 4 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Blog Entries: 1 My Google Map iTrader Rating: (1/100% )	Goodyear was the first shop I took it to and thats what they told me. Then I went out and got a second opinion and they said the same thing. So im going to replace the rack and that will hopefully fix the problem.

09-19-2008, 01:25 AM	#20 (permalink)
MR2-MRnot Cage Fighter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Akron, OH-IO Posts: 668 Thanks: 5 Thanked 17 Times in 15 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (5/100% )	d@#$ i wish i was in Colorado or wherever u are so i could shake your front end....not intended to be sexual but still funny, either way replacing the rack will do the trick but u can also replace parts of it for future reference!! (i.e.- inner tie rod, outer tie rod, rack boots, etc)