CB700S

Hi, all. My 99 AWD RX300 has developed a pretty bad steering rack leak - I got in a re-manufactured rack to replace it with, but then I've had some ugly medical issues that meant I couldn't safely do the work myself for the next several months. As a result, I've been looking to farm out the job but the moment I tell a shop it's an AWD model, they don't want to touch it.

As it is not currently a good idea for me to go crawl around under the car, I can't look at mine and see where any problems with the job might be. Does anyone know why the AWD version might be harder to change the rack on than a FWD? Could they be confusing it with a different AWD Lexus? Any input or pictures would be appreciated.

MattRX

I changed the steering racks on my AWD 2002 Highlander and AWD 2008 RX350. Other than a transfer case being in the way a little, it's no different than a FWD. The transfer case is the same although the front suspension on the 300 is a little different vs a Highlander and RX330/350 which have the same front architecture, but it should be similar enough. I didn't end up having to even lower the subframe so much as an inch, I just removed the rear engine mount, the two front struts and sway bar mounts to the frame and that was enough to wiggle it out.

salimshah

RX does not have rear wheel steering, so FWD vs AWD difference in steering do not apply. The transaxle is different but the front driven [2wd or FWD] steering mechanism are the same for AWD. Still exercise due diligence in ordering the right part.

Salim

CB700S

Yes, I'm just looking to see why a shop would be willing to do the rack swap on a FWD one but not want to touch the AWD one.

sktn77a

iTrader: (2)

Have you checked with a Toyota dealer? I've found independents have increased their prices almost as much as dealers now! As a rule, they'll install your parts, they just won't give you the 12 month warranty on them (of course).

CB700S

No local Toyota dealer (and I have existing relationships with several local ones) would install customer parts.

I did find a local shop to do it - they were a highly recommended shop and went by book time. Their book did not list any difference in time between the 2WD and AWD variants and they did not report any difference in swapping the rack from a 2WD, other than they spent a literal couple of minutes getting the rack out around the transfer case and driveshaft where it would just fall out on the 2WDs. So the apparent reason so many shops were saying it was hugely more complex was "we're scared of the AWD version and don't want to deal with it."

Strangely enough, that shop is now getting the planned work for my Sequoia as well for some reason... After all, if those other shops claim that they will work on RX300s and are scared by the AWD system, clearly I don't need to be taking other Toyotas that drive all four wheels to them... :P