OEM 2003 Toyota Highlander Rack And Pinion

2003 Toyota Highlander Parts Questions & Experts Answers

• Q: How to Overhaul a Rack and Pinion Steering Gear on 2003 Toyota Highlander?

  A: The indicated parts of the rack and pinion require power steering fluid or molybdenum disulfide lithium base grease coating before the overhaul process starts. Initiate by detaching the battery negative terminal followed by removal of the horn button assembly together with steering wheel assembly using Special Service Tool: 09950-50013 (09951-05010, 09952-05010, 09953-05020, 09954-05021). Moving forward remove the front wheel to access the left-hand tie rod assembly which requires unfastening its clip and nut followed by using Special Service Tool: 09628-62011 to detach it from the steering knuckle. The same procedure needs to be done for the right-hand tie rod assembly. The first step involves loosening bolt A while removing the clamp and the steering column hole covers to separate the steering intermediate shaft sub-assembly. After placing matchmarks, it can be properly removed from the system. aret to remove the left-hand front stabilizer link assembly after the right-hand side assembly through this same procedure. Both front stabilizer brackets need removal before separating the return tube assembly and pressure feed tube assembly through the use of Special Service Tool: 09023-12700. Uninstall the rack and pinion power steering assembly through bolt removal from the rack and pinion assembly along with pressure feed tube clamp detachment and rack and pinion assembly bolt and nut disassembly. Special Service Tools 09023-38200 and 09612-00012 become necessary to fix the rack and pinion assembly while removing left and right turn pressure tubes together with their O-rings. Uninstall both tie rod assemblies in addition to steering rack boot clips and steering rack boot clamps without damaging them. Abide by the instructions for unstaking the claw washer from the steering rack end sub-assembly using a screwdriver and hammer prior to removing it with Special Service Tool: 09922-10010. The technician first uses Special Service Tool: 09922-10010 and Special Service Tool: 09631-10021 to remove the rack guide while using a 27 mm socket wrench to detach the power steering control valve by maintaining the control valve shaft with Special Service Tool: 09616-00011 prior to removing its nut. For the control valve removal process use required tools to extract parts including oil seal components and end stopper. The power steering rack must be checked for wear and runout before installing fresh oil seals and components which need proper orientation as well as adequate lubrication. The total preload adjustment of the rack guide spring cap requires Special Service Tool: 09631-10021 along with thread adhesive and strict fastener security for lubricated components before final assembly.