rack and pinion repair?

[thirdman]

The new, not necessarily trusted mechanic "suggested" that I replace my rack and pinion for a whopping $800.

How does one tell if one's rack-n-pinion needs replacing?

Also, is there any reason I couldn't just order a re-manufactured one off of ebay for $300 and have them install it?

[hawkdoc60]

I'm not sure how to test the rack and pinion unit. However, if it is determined that it is bad, I would get one of the ones from eBay or another similar priced one and install it yourself. I know that aside from taking a little time, that they are not hard to change out.

[freshtiva]

Im rebuilding my own for $95 worth of parts.

[Levitan]

Hey Fresh,
Can you do one of your famous write-ups on the rebuild project?

[FB71]

Im rebuilding my own for $95 worth of parts.

where'd you find the bushings and seals?

[freshtiva]

where'd you find the bushings and seals?

The pinion seal came out undamaged like the one below. And the neoprene(or whatever its made of) bushing isnt even servicable is it ? I know the manual shows three slots in the gear housing where you can insert a small screw driver to push the tabs in to release the bushing but the rack and pinions I have dont have that feature. These bushing are apparently forced in the housing to a point where a larger diameter bore is and it expands into that space. Mine had no wear what so ever like the one below off of a festiva with 265,000 on it. My bearing was good too. I just cleaned it up repacked it and put it back togather. I also put new inner and outer tie rod ends on and new boots. My $95 mentioned above also included some control arms.

[freshtiva]

There in some writing on the seal if it would be useful to you .

[jglutz]

Without confirming...or changing...both the inner tie rods and outer tie rod ends....it pretty har to determine if the rack and pinion os shot while mouted in the car.

Also the all of the tie rod components and the rack and pinion may be good and the universal joint from the steering column tot he rack and pinion may be shot.

If your are not confortable doing the work yourself....get a second opion.

[freshtiva]

Hey Fresh,
Can you do one of your famous write-ups on the rebuild project?

You mean on the 1993GL ? Ive got a thread going on it now.

[ejp2fast]

how do you determine a rack and pinion is bad in the first place?

[freshtiva]

^ You turn the steering wheel hard right and the car goes straight:p

[festivalife]

Without any experience here beforehand, my loose steering -(4" on eitherside of centerline)- my steering just stopped; wouldn't respond at all. Thank God I was only doing a slow turn and just coasted into the shoulder of the road. Towed back to the house, and exchanged my stock steering unit for a used working one off my parts Festiva-('88 carbed car)-. It fit right into my '90 Festiva, except I couldn't join up the last 2 inches to the steering knuckle. Had to pay the mechanic $190.00 to do so, but I learned the steering column can be dropped to join up that steering knuckle. Everthing went just like stated in the Haynes manual. Hope this helps .

[freshtiva]

Rebuilt for an aspire swap IMHO.