I qualify for the steering rod recall. Can anyone give any advice on "little extras" or experiences when dealing with the dealerships to get this recall item done? I have read on the forum that some are getting tie rod ends and some are not. Thanks.

My experience for the recall was good. I called the dealership and made an appointment, when i dropped the truck off it took only about 4 hours, they replaced the steering rod and installed new bushings for it. they also used new hardware for the install, i did not get new tie rods or adjusting links. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />

went to the dealer today to see if I qualified. Turns out I do. i then asked about getting an alignment when the steering rod is replaced. The person I spoke to said there are three grades of the recall. it seems they will do an alignment as long as the front end parts are not all worn out. if there is too much wear they will not do an alignment. I still have to find the time to make an appointment to go but they seemed pretty helpful.

Well I qualify for the recall also, but I'm not doing it because the dealer won't drill out the relay rod center link to 5/8" to take the Total Chaos idler Arm that I installed last summer, I don't have the stock unit anymore so I can't do a temporary swap.

And they won't give me the new unit to install myself, due to safety reasons, plus they need the vehicle on the premises to process all the required paper work, so my vin# get registered in Toyota's database as "relay rod recall completed", bunch of BS <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />.

Anyway it's been 14 years with no signs of cracking. The center link relay rod only cost around $150, so if I decide to I will buy one and do it myself later.

Chucky MoMo <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

There is also some feedback in the sticky over in the Runner section. Other info is in the tech archive section as well.

I had the relay rod replaced at the dealership today under recall. They said that my idler arm and lower ball joints could used to be replaced too, but I passed since thats something I can do myself for 10x cheaper! Overall though I was pretty happy, they did an alignment and even through in a car wash too <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />