Are Lift Kits Causing 2009-2012 Toyota Tundra Steering Rack Failures?
Tim Esterdahl | Oct 15, 2012 | Comments 14
Toyota is investigating a rumor that lift kits could be causing steering rack failures in 2009-2012 Toyota Tundra pickup. How could this be possible? Does this rumor have any merit?
Toyota is investigating a rumor on whether lift kits are causing steering rack failures in 2009-2012 Toyota Tundras. We say not likely.
In a June 2012 Tech Tip (Tech Tip T-TT-0183-12), Toyota has alerted dealers about the possibility that lift kits may be causing steering racks in the Tundra to fail. Toyota states: “Some 2009-2012 Tundra vehicles may exhibit a condition where the Steering Rack shows evidence of leakage at the bellows (boots). This may occur on non-modified, original equipment vehicles as well as modified (lifted) vehicles.”
While this Tech Tip is based on a rumor and Toyota has not yet confirmed that this is an actual issue, they are still investigating it seriously. They have alerted their technicians to look for steering rack leaks in Tundras built during this time. Technicians have been asked to report any vehicles with steering rack leaks to Technical Assistance (TAS).
EDIT: After reviewing this article, we want to make it clear that some Tundra owners are absolutely experiencing steering rack failures. It’s not a “rumor” that these failures are occurring. The rumor is that the problem is caused by lift kits, which has not been confirmed.
If Technical Assistance is made aware of an ongoing pattern of steering rack leaks in 2009-2012 Toyota Tundras, then we may see a Technical Service Bulletin calling for a replacement. Until then, this is simply a Tech Tip based on a rumor that is currently under investigation.
Even though this issue is currently being investigated as it should be, there are a few tidbits that consumers and Toyota Tundra owners should be made aware of.
This rumor does not really make much sense. Here is why:
Essentially, Toyota has been using the same steering rack design since 2007, with a minor change in 2009. Since 2009, the steering rack design has been the exact same. If lift kits were causing the steering rack to leak, or if there was a design issue with the steering rack, we should have heard about it back in 2009. Not three years after this minor change.
This is not to say that some consumers have not had experiences with a leaking steering rack in these Tundras. However, it is probably safe to say that this issue would indicate a quality issue with the steering racks, not a design issue calling for steering rack replacement in all 2009-2012 Tundras.
This investigation Toyota is currently conducting will determine for certain what the real issue is. Only time will tell. In the meantime, consumers should not assume the worst. They should, however, pay a little more attention to their vehicle and check for odd leaks. If they notice anything abnormal, they should see their local dealer.
What do you think? Is this rumor fabricated garbage or a real issue?
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Filed Under: Tundra Lift Kits
Like mentioned the issue would have risen it’s ugly head back in 2009.
Here’s my issue. I started getting a vibration and left to right motion from my steering wheel at about 12K miles. The dealership rebalanced the tires and also performed a “courtesy” resurface of the front rotors. The problem did not completely go away. I still experienced the slight vibration and slight left to right “wiggle” on the steering wheel. I was told it could be tires out round. Had those looked at by authorized BF Goodrich dealer and tires were fine. Had the truck lifted with 2 inch strut spacer and 3.5 inch lift spindles. I also need to state that I was getting a rear shutter at initial “hard” take off when stock. After the lift in front with a 4 inch block on the rear, the rear shutter increased. Performance Off-Road, who performed the work then shimmed the carrier bearing three times before the shutter returned to its normal shutter at stock height. I did notice that the rear 4 inch block is at an angle so as not to change the pitch of the driveline to the carrier bearing. My current experiece with the increased lift if an aggressive vibration and, once again, continued left to right movement of the steering wheel. Oh, and they can’t seem to get the steering wheel to stay straight. They straighten it and whitin in the first 25 miles of driving it, it tend to move slightly left. I notice it more when I make a hard right turn then straighten out. Performance Off-Road in Bakersfield, CA installs numerous lifts on various truck models every day and they have told me, after 4 attempts to correct these problems, that I need to have Toyota inspect and possibly replace the Steering Rack and/or bushings as they feel this is causing the problem in the steering wheel. Tires and alignment on “dead-on”. These tires and wheels were installed when I had the truck(2011 Tundra Crewmax SR5 TRD OffRoad 2 wheel drive) lifted less than one month ago.
Jorge – Not to be snarky, but OF COURSE the 4×4 shop is going to tell you to take it up with Toyota. That’s much easier than saying “your lift kit isn’t perfect.”
Yet, I think the reality here is that you’re running a very aggressive lift that isn’t perfect. When you jack your truck 6″ into the air using both a spacer lift and spindles, and then mount a new set of off-road tires and wheels (I’m assuming the wheels are after-market) the factory ride and handling characteristics go out the window.
Additionally, did anyone ever check the rims for roundness and balance? After-market rims are sort of famous for this type of thing.
In any case, I don’t think anyone at Toyota is going to take your complaints seriously unless you uninstall all the lift components and verify the problem is with the truck itself. Best of luck to you.
Yes, (Jason), I agree with you. I was able to get Toyota to inspect the steering rack and also perform a power steering analysis. It all checked out good. I then consulted a local front-end and alignment specialist shop in town and was referred to a local tire/wheel shop that does what they call “Road Force Vibration Balance”. This piece of equipment looks very much like the traditioinal spin balancer, except that it takes all the dimension of the wheel itself and tire. It then makes a comparison of the two. When the wheel and tire are mounted on this machine it mimmics the mount as though it is on the vehicle itself. It does a slower speed balance than the traditional balancer but don’t be fooled that it is not high speed balancing your tires. Once the machine completes the spin it returns the analysis by means of a laser pointer light giving the exact location of the wheel weights position. The shop found that all my wheels/tires were off between 2.75 to 4.00 ounces. They removed the old weights and replaced them with new weight. To my surprise, all tires required much less. This completely took care of the problem I was experiencing. No more left to right and no more vibrations at any speed. I slowely sped my truck up so I could determine if at any speed the vibration or wobble would return. Nothing. I got it up to 100mph and still nothing. We also reset the PSI for each tire. The prior shop had pumped them up to 50PSI and these tires should not have had more than 40 PSI, but we set mine at 38 PSI. The shop I used locally is San Joaquin Tire, however I understand that most/all 4-Wheel Parts Stores also do this type of balancing as this is the only way to truly balance these bigger tires and aftermarket wheels. So anyone else out there having this problem, try this wheel/tire balance method (Road Force Vibration Balance) first before investing a whole lot of money trying to figure out the problem. I paid $60 plus $20 for the weights, $80.00 well spent and very glad to know that my steering rack is not the problem. Oh, on last thing. With the lift I have on my truck, the truck almost rides as smooth as it did stock. I’ve even taken it over some rougher surfaces and still no vibration, no bumpiness, and very smooth. Hope this helps anyone out there having similar problems. Best of day to you!
I’m a bit confused by this statement “This may occur on non-modified, original equipment vehicles as well as modified (lifted) vehicles”. Does my 2011 TRD Dbl. Cab 4×4 qualify?
Also, what is a “MY Toyota Tunda”?
LJC,
I took that as a yes your 2011 TRD Dbl. Cab would qualify as well. The bigger story for us, was if lift kits were causing this problem. However, it looks like Toyota isn’t narrowing it down to just lift kits.
Also, I should have edited out the MY. MY stands for Model Year. You read so many press releases sometimes that language gets into stories. Sorry!
-Tim
Thanks for the clarification.
It’s cool
I suspect if the design did not change then the lubricant may have. Perhaps the lubricant and rubber seals are not compatible, thus leakage?
Just a guess, but I do recall when synthetics oils first came out some value seals would not swell and thus lead to blue smoke at start up.
LJC,
Since this is a Tech Tip we will have to wait until a more official announcement comes out. Your guess is as good as mine.
-Tim
I have an 08 lifted tundra. It blew the seal at the bellows on the drivers side. no warning just lost all steering assist. No doubt that seal blew since bellows swelled until it blew. Is there a remedy yet offered by toyota?
Michael,
That’s awful! I haven’t heard of anything like that before and no I haven’t heard anything from Toyota on this being an issue. Just bad luck I guess??
-Tim
my 07 tundra DC 4X4 just had this problem yesterday. all my PS fluid leaked out my steering rack. dealer quoted me $2500!!! it ran for 20k/9months on a 2.5inch leveling kit before it blew. this is definately not just a 2010+ tundra issue. ran fine before lift.
I have a 2012 tundra and ran perfect until we installed a lift kit. the steering rack seals broke and filled up with fluids. any ideas how to fix it?
I have a 2008 CM Tundra 3/1 LRO lift with 18 rims and 295/65/18 tires andAs I made a Uturn I heard a clunk so I step out and check behind driver wheel and notice a leakby the steering rack seal.. Told my mechanic and he said bring it next day is not good.I’m reading about this stuff being posted and might true , cause I did not have this problem before. I bought the truck used in march of 2012 with 51000mlge.
Maybe someone asked this but if I have a lift and this issue occurs, does that mean it’s not covered under the warrantee?