89' SV21 Camry 'Rack Ends' 'TRW or JAPAN'?

**simple22travel** · 12-10-2010, 02:59 AM

I have recently purchased a 'dec89 sv21 Toyota Camry station wagon 3s-fe, done 303000 k's, 4-speed auto with power-steering (completely original).
I decided to put new shocks in all round, as they had never been done before (makes a big difference & need to pass a Safety Certificate as it ain't registered yet). When changing the shocks I realised that the steering rack boots were split/stuffed & needed replacing. Had a look on ebay & I found 'rack end & boot kits' at a really decent price so I purchased 2 sets (paid $40 in total).
I have changed the passenger side already without drama (other side is proving more difficult, I may need a inner tie rod tool, as I can't remove the rack end). Now just a quick question if anyone knows. I later realised that there were two types of rack ends available, they were 'Japan' & 'trw'. I purchased the 'japan' one's as they were slightly cheaper (& I thought 'trw' was just a better brand or something). Basically I want to be sure that I have purchased the right type. The passenger side was identical in lenght & thread size as the new one that I put in, so I'm assuming I bought the right type (havn't been able to take the car for a drive yet to see how it feels). Would that mean that my steering rack would be a Japan one or does it just mean that the trw & japan racks are identical anyways & it really dosn't matter which one you fit. I was curious to find out for certain if my camry had a 'trw' or 'japan' steering rack so I emailed a few people (steering stockists) my VIN & they were not able to tell me.
Can Anybody please help me out? Is there a number on my car or anything which would indicate what type of steering rack I have?
Cheers (i'm a clueless newbie)

**Rhyno** · 12-10-2010, 02:49 PM

Hey mate,

I cant shed any light on this issue but just thought I would give you some sound advice. I just brought a 91 camry wagon as a work car for my personeel buisness and was about to give it a 300,000 kms service (all belts, water pump, rocker and sump gaskets) when the water pump desided to go when I was traveling at a Hundred kms. Before I new it I was pulling over to find a lovely warped head.

Im now half way through dropping a 3sge in, and down $2K... should be fun though!

I dont wanna hijack your thread, just wanted to point out the cambelts n water pump proberly need attention if the shocks aint be done since new.

Kind Regards,

Ryan

**Hiro** · 12-10-2010, 03:12 PM

xV2x Camrys sold in Aus were made both locally (4-cylinder models) and in Japan (V6 models). The TRW-labelled components would be from locally made/assembled models with the imported ones sporting Toyota/Denso or the like, much in the same way that locally-assembled KE3x/5x Corollas had Borg-Warner diffs in comparison to the Banjo diffs found on JDM models.

Prime example of how OEM components can vary based on the country-of-manufacture of a particular vehicle. Seems like the two different "brands" of OEM component in this case are essentially the same though, unless there is something that we've missed.

**senn** · 12-10-2010, 03:15 PM

They SHOULD be somewhere on here

http://www.eziautoparts.com.au/suspe...rack-ends.html

but you will have to browse their catalogue and find your exact model etc (it's the book that says "Click Me"). I used them for similar parts for my MR2, good prices, prompt service.

Hope this helps.

**simple22travel** · 12-10-2010, 06:50 PM

Originally Posted by Rhyno

Hey mate,

I cant shed any light on this issue but just thought I would give you some sound advice. I just brought a 91 camry wagon as a work car for my personeel buisness and was about to give it a 300,000 kms service (all belts, water pump, rocker and sump gaskets) when the water pump desided to go when I was traveling at a Hundred kms. Before I new it I was pulling over to find a lovely warped head.

Im now half way through dropping a 3sge in, and down $2K... should be fun though!

Ok thanks for your advice, Personally I'm not too mechanically minded myself. The guy I bought it from said that it belonged to a 'mechanic workshop' & was used as a courtesy car for sometime. He also mentioned that the engine was rebuilt about a year & a half ago by the mechanic that owned it at the time. The car was advertised as being mechanically in very good condition & also the gearbox in very good condition.
I suppose I'll just wait & see & hope for the best, if it ain't broken don't fix it.

**simple22travel** · 12-10-2010, 06:52 PM

Originally Posted by senn

They SHOULD be somewhere on here

http://www.eziautoparts.com.au/suspe...rack-ends.html

but you will have to browse their catalogue and find your exact model etc (it's the book that says "Click Me"). I used them for similar parts for my MR2, good prices, prompt service.

Hope this helps.

Thanks, I found this catalouge last week & downloaded it, It does show that there are 2 types, being either 'japan' or 'trw'.
cheers

**simple22travel** · 12-10-2010, 07:04 PM

Originally Posted by Hiro

xV2x Camrys sold in Aus were made both locally (4-cylinder models) and in Japan (V6 models). The TRW-labelled components would be from locally made/assembled models with the imported ones sporting Toyota/Denso or the like, much in the same way that locally-assembled KE3x/5x Corollas had Borg-Warner diffs in comparison to the Banjo diffs found on JDM models.

I got an email back from a steering specialist (who seemed really tight lipped) & he said that the difference between the two rack ends (japan & trw) is the thread size, where they screw onto the rack, one being 14mm (japan)the other being 16mm (trw), as i've already fitted the passenger side, gives me the confidence that I have fitted the correct one meaning I have a japan rack. I'm glad I bought the right one's first without even knowing there was a difference.
many thanks