Toyota inner tie rod ends

I would have the customer call and bitch at Toyota, thats the way Toyota designed it. If the rack is not leaking or seeping. I would let the customer decide between the dealer reman rack or the ebay part. I think once you give them the 2 options the ebay is way more reasonable. The ebay seller has very good reviews and has sold 187 of them. I would rather try the ebay one vs a cardone part.

I may end up going that route. The customer knows enough about cars to know that it is not normal that an inner tie rod is not available.

I have looked into this with one chassis parts manufacturer for another toyota. I have no clue why Toyota does not service a tie rod end but can tell you what that manufacturer told me at the time. I was told that with no OE catalogged part it makes their job of figuring out what it fits complicated. Plus add in the expense of having to buy several OE racks for new samples to work off of makes…

It may be an issue with low ROI for the aftermarket,but it still doesn't explain why the manufacturer doesn't offer it. I'm more curious than anything at this point.

I have run into this in the past. The only other option I've offered is to purchase a rack from a salvage yard and swap the tie rod over. Maybe not the best avenue but I saved the customer tons and the job was done. Some racks are sold for the same price as a new tie rod...

Safety issue...OE or pass. Not much profit but look at potential liability.

I'm not worried about the potential liability in my ability to change an inner tie rod end,and there are millions of non-OE tie rod ends on the roads that are doing just fine.

This is really strange.I went on Toyotas parts websight and got a part# 45503 for $179 but when I opened the part to view it the outer tie rod end came up.I recently had problems trying to find parts for Toyota that their parts counter guys say don't exist but with a lot of digging and cross referencing I usually find the parts from Toyota​.​Toyota is really getting terrible when it…

My research at the Toyota parts counter agrees with your experience: inner tie-rods only come with the rack & pinion assembly. The … RX350 and RX450h are in the same situation as the 2011 Sienna: parts catalog does not show inner tie rods as a separate part. For those that read this reply, the 2011 Sienna and … RX350 and RX450h have the electric power assist motor on the…

Upon further research, any Lexus model that has the electric assist motor on the column is in the same situation-no separate part number for the inner tie rod.

Indeed,it is the EMPS equipped vehicle that are running into this situation.

I have replaced inner tie rods on the RX400h with OE parts from dealer. It has the motor on the rack, not on the column. So depends on where the motor is located.

You didn't buy it,build it or break it. Why make it your monkey? You know what you have to do to do the repair the vehicle correctly so why fight it? It's just the cost of doing business and I would remind the customer that I would have no intentions of owning the responsibility if some repair other than a factory approved one was used.

I agree with Rob

I also agree with Rob and Harish. I also gag at the mention of Cardone.

I am a curious person and like to learn new things. The current focus of my curiosity is finding out why this particular application will not allow me to replace an inner tie rod end,unlike almost every other vehicle on the road. The customer may not have the tools or the ability to change his own tie rod end,but he has enough knowledge of automobiles to know that inner tie rod ends are…

Ken- Good luck trying to find an answer. Honestly whats the point? Could be any number of reasons from cost savings to manufacturing ease. Who cares? Every OEM has their idiosyncrasies.....

Money, that's why.

I believe it has to do with the electronic power steering assist.

Ken I would stay with OE. Huge liability. Be aware of copy cat parts from online places. A real issue right now with quality that could put you in a court battle. Steering is a real safety issue. Not worth sticking your neck out there.

It is definitely the EMPS vehicles that have this happening. I have a customer balking at the price of a Cardone rack because he knows that this situation is not normal. Until I find answers,there is no way I will risk anything or anybody.

These guys might be able to shed some light on the issue​.​If you don't want to use cardonne i highly recommend them. jorgenauto​.​com

I would call Jorgen Automotive and ask, they may even sell you a tie rod. …

I am waiting for a response from them.

Just posted on iATN- Jorgen is closed. Grrr. Try CVJ. cvjreman​.​com/sterring-racks…

Marlin- Do you use those guys regularly?

CVJ? Yes, they are our axle supplier; all that we use, except some Honda's on which we use new OE. We have only purchased a couple of racks from them, as Jorgen was our go-to supplier.

Was? Do you no longer purchase from JAC?

Obviously not; as stated, they have closed.

Closed permanently? That wasn't obviously stated. Their website doesn't indicate that. I assumed you called? That's too bad, if true....

Yes, done. I have not been able to get anyone to answer the phone, but someone on iATN did and was simply told that they closing up. It is really frustrating to me. Over and over the … guys fail while the crooks get yachts, and we are stuck buying their junk. Grrr.

Jtekt is the supplier of the steering racks. Contact them, maybe your question will get an answer. I doubt they will sell you an inner tie rod.

Their websites say that I am not authorized to email them. I'm just a grease-minion,I guess.

I've never had a problem getting through on the phone.I don't think I've even ever had to leave a message. Give them a call.

Thanks for following up, Ken.

THanks for the link Ken, I have an ES350 that needs tie rod ends and they have them for a whopping 20 bucks each

I ordered the parts from Best Parts Online,and got a same-day email from Kotec saying that they had been shipped,so those companies are actually the same.