Steering Relay Rod recall [50N]

I have a 92 4Runner 4WD. A recall notice [50N] just came in the mail today saying the Steering rod relay could fracture and possibly fail. I went online to find out more, and from reading any number of sites I found that this recall applies to late 80's thru 96 models of small trucks, 4Runners and T100s. From many of the stories I read it seems to have occured on some folks' T100s, and the description is that if the rod breaks, you lose steering control (SCARY!!!). The recall notice says that Toyota will inspect the rod but will only replace it if damage or fatigue is found.

Well, if I take in my 4Runner in and they don't find any fractures etc, doesn't common sense (as well as my not being in any great hurry to depart this life especially in a car wreck) dictate that they replace the rod anyway? I mean just because it doesn't show any damage now, the thing is apparently defective from the gitgo, right? Should I insist on it being replaced regardless of what is (or is not) found? Also have any of you 4Runner folks (with vehicles in the affected years) had/found this problem on your 4Runners? Thanks for any advice and help.

I have a 92 4Runner
Took it in and they gave me a rental car, poor car, They did replace it, so if what you are saying then mine was compromised! Damn scary!!
They will also try to sell you front end components as needed.
They told me my idler was worn and needed replacement, funny when I produced the receipt for the arm, (under 2yrs) they shut up.

But the alignment was set "to the numbers" but wind ruts and large truck headwind gusts now cause it to wander. I have a follow-up tomorrow at 9am to set it to lesson the "looseness"

I thought they were replacing the link on ALL due to design not to inspection.
The worst case is being parked next to a curb and turning against the curb without moving, but hey that alone will screw up the alignment on it.
Good Luck get that rental car! That was a lot of laughs! Poor Camry!

Hey 4Wheel,

You by chance live in the Phoenix metro area? We must have gone to the same dealer. I decided to take my 4 Runner in and they did replace the rod. And you know "what else they found"???? Worn idler arm, worn pitman arm and worn tie rod ends (I think that is how it was worded.)ANd for only ONLY $758 (and 95 cents) they would fix it all. The truck has 170K miles on it so maybe all those things are getiing worn. But not $758 worth of worn. Thanks but no thanks. I'll have my own mechanic look at it. (Didn't have to do the rental bit tho....)

Live in the northwest.
The parts are not too expensive and are fairly easy to replace.

http://personal.utulsa.edu/~nathan-buchanan/93fsm/steering/16steer0.pdf

Then have them do the recall and guess what, the alignment is on them!
I just asked the dealer and they are mandated to replacement, no conditions.
If the idler is not worn through the nonmetal bushings a bushing replacement can be done, but wont likely be the case.
Good Luck

Sticky post at top of this forum 1993 FSM:

http://personal.utulsa.edu/~nathan-buchanan/93fsm/

I am about to have my recall taken care of (1994 4runner ) and was wondering if the manual pages apply to my vehicle, THANKS!

The manuals are close but be careful esp wiring.