OEM 2008 Toyota Highlander Rack And Pinion

2008 Toyota Highlander Parts Questions & Experts Answers

• Q: How to remove the power steering Rack And Pinion on 2008 Toyota Highlander?

  A: A proper replacement of the power steering rack and pinion requires first draining fuel system pressure followed by refrigerant recovery from the refrigeration system. First remove the cool air intake duct seal and batter as well as direct the front wheels straight ahead and secure the seat belt around the steering wheel to avoid spiral cable damage. The power steering rack and pinion will be exposed after removing engine under cover assembly and engine under covers No.1 and No.2 along with front wheel components, floor under cover LH, and front fender moulding sub-assemblies LH and RH and front fender liners LH and RH and front fender apron seals LH and RH. The maintenance team empties all fluids including engine oil and coolant as well as automatic transaxle fluid. Remove the front wiper arm and blade assemblies LH and RH together with the cowl top ventilator louver sub-assembly, windshield wiper motor and link assembly, outer cowl top panel sub-assembly and V-bank cover sub-assembly and No. 2 and No. 1 air cleaner inlets, air cleaner cap sub-assembly, air cleaner filter element sub-assembly and air cleaner case sub-assembly and air cleaner bracket. Begin by detaching the brake master cylinder reservoir assembly then take off the reservoir bracket and No. 2 engine mounting stay RH along with the engine moving control rod. Proceed to disconnect the No. 1 fuel vapor feed hose, No. 1 and No. 2 radiator hoses, heater water outlet and inlet hoses B, fuel tube sub-assembly, oil cooler inlet and outlet hoses, transmission control cable assembly, engine wire, and union to check valve hose. The propeller and center bearing shaft assembly must be removed first for 4WD models before removing all exhaust pipe assemblies including tail and center assemblies followed by front No. 3 and front assemblies. To perform the front suspension procedure safely you need to first separate the front stabilizer link assemblies LH and RH and then remove the front axle hub nuts LH and RH before disconnecting the front speed sensors LH and RH. Finally separate the rack and pinion intermediate shaft assembly by removing the bolt and slide it out while marking the power steering link assembly alignment. First use tools 09960-20010 and 09961-02010 as Special Service Tools to separate the tie rod assemblies LH and RH while keeping them properly aligned before securing both tools to prevent their fall. Continue the disassembly process by first separating the No. 1 front suspension lower arms LH and RH followed by the front axle assemblies LH and RH. Then disconnect the discharge and suction hose sub-assemblies before finally removing the engine assembly with transaxle and other components that include the front No. 1 stabilizer brackets LH and RH, front stabilizer bar as well as power steering link assembly using appropriate bolt and nut removal while avoiding any nut rotation movement during the process. Tie rod assemblies LH and RH must be removed last from the system for reinstall first position reconstruction.