rack and pinion rebuild
All Star
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 783
Likes: 0
From: Eastside Tucson AZ
My truck is 4wd, so this won't come up for me, but I probably wouldn't rebuild the rack myself. You live in the Chicago area, there are probably lots of wrecking yards in the area, I'd start by looking for a used one, replace the one that needs it, and then maybe try to rebuild the old one.
My thing is that I drive my Dakota, it's my only vehicle (other than a KLR motorcycle.) If I were doing anything to the steering, I'd want the downtime to be minimal.
Alternatively, you could ask around at the various frame and alignment shops and find out if there's a local-yokel that does the rebuilds. My understanding is that if the rack requires more than a quick seal, gasket, and bellows replacement it requires adjusting preloads and getting the centering correct. I'd prefer that someone with lots of experience that I can meet face to face do the actual work. If the rebuild goes totally FUBAR, you're gonna have additional expense and time & perhaps a core charge that can't be refunded (because the old rack is totally FUBAR!)
My thing is that I drive my Dakota, it's my only vehicle (other than a KLR motorcycle.) If I were doing anything to the steering, I'd want the downtime to be minimal.
Alternatively, you could ask around at the various frame and alignment shops and find out if there's a local-yokel that does the rebuilds. My understanding is that if the rack requires more than a quick seal, gasket, and bellows replacement it requires adjusting preloads and getting the centering correct. I'd prefer that someone with lots of experience that I can meet face to face do the actual work. If the rebuild goes totally FUBAR, you're gonna have additional expense and time & perhaps a core charge that can't be refunded (because the old rack is totally FUBAR!)
Professional
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 216
Likes: 0
From: Manitoba, Canada
It is $100 on Rock Auto for a complete rebuilt unit.
Depending on what is wrong it is about $17 for a seal kit, $10 for a bearing, $5 for bushings, and $14 for bellows. It is also $10 per side for inner tie rods, which are included in the rebuilt unit. You'll spend $66 on parts to completely rebuild it.
That doesn't include cleaning up the rack, and shafts to ensure a proper seal, like a rebuilt unit would have done to it. Plus the rebuild has 3 years 36,000mile warranty.
I would say pay the $44 and get the rebuilt one from Rock Auto.
Depending on what is wrong it is about $17 for a seal kit, $10 for a bearing, $5 for bushings, and $14 for bellows. It is also $10 per side for inner tie rods, which are included in the rebuilt unit. You'll spend $66 on parts to completely rebuild it.
That doesn't include cleaning up the rack, and shafts to ensure a proper seal, like a rebuilt unit would have done to it. Plus the rebuild has 3 years 36,000mile warranty.
I would say pay the $44 and get the rebuilt one from Rock Auto.
All Star
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 783
Likes: 0
From: Eastside Tucson AZ
It is $100 on Rock Auto for a complete rebuilt unit.
Depending on what is wrong it is about $17 for a seal kit, $10 for a bearing, $5 for bushings, and $14 for bellows. It is also $10 per side for inner tie rods, which are included in the rebuilt unit. You'll spend $66 on parts to completely rebuild it.
That doesn't include cleaning up the rack, and shafts to ensure a proper seal, like a rebuilt unit would have done to it. Plus the rebuild has 3 years 36,000mile warranty.
I would say pay the $44 and get the rebuilt one from Rock Auto.
Depending on what is wrong it is about $17 for a seal kit, $10 for a bearing, $5 for bushings, and $14 for bellows. It is also $10 per side for inner tie rods, which are included in the rebuilt unit. You'll spend $66 on parts to completely rebuild it.
That doesn't include cleaning up the rack, and shafts to ensure a proper seal, like a rebuilt unit would have done to it. Plus the rebuild has 3 years 36,000mile warranty.
I would say pay the $44 and get the rebuilt one from Rock Auto.
I don't think I'd get the $100 one. It's Cardone, and if you believe the reports online, they are consistently poor quality. I'd get either the ATSCO or the AC Delco reman'd.
Professional
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 216
Likes: 0
From: Manitoba, Canada
I was just using bottom pricing as a guideline, if you want better quality he can go higher, but same with the rebuild parts. That was $66 for as cheap of rebuild parts as possible.
Still even the AC Delco is $140, and the unit will be alot better quality than a backyard rebuild.
Still even the AC Delco is $140, and the unit will be alot better quality than a backyard rebuild.
Thread Starter
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Rookie
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 66
Likes: 1
From: chicago
thanks for the advice...i wasnt sure exactly how rough it would be to rebuild or properly added up all the parts. the junk yards around here crush our poor dakotas pretty quick due to the rust. i will look into possibly just buying a new one. Thanks everyone!