Power steering rack

[savage1987]

What are the telltale signs that you need to replace the rack??

Sam

[Emackulation]

What are the telltale signs that you need to replace the rack??

Sam

Leaking fluid from the main rack pinion seal. Maybe ceasure of rack operation caused by lack of fluid?

[bboystyles]

how much does a new p/s rack cost? anyone know?

[Emackulation]

In my car it cost like $400.

[savage1987]

Main rack pinion seal? Where's that? Is that the messy bit with all the fittings near the bottom of the high pressure line? Mine is dripping pretty chronically from there. I cbf jacking it up to have a proper look though, my jack shat itself the other day.

Also Mack, was that price for a new one or reconditioned? Fitted or DIY?
I think Pedders do reco racks with filters and stuff, and I have a feeling they can get PS oil coolers too.

Sam

[Emackulation]

Main rack pinion seal? Where's that? Is that the messy bit with all the fittings near the bottom of the high pressure line? Mine is dripping pretty chronically from there. I cbf jacking it up to have a proper look though, my jack shat itself the other day.

Also Mack, was that price for a new one or reconditioned? Fitted or DIY?
I think Pedders do reco racks with filters and stuff, and I have a feeling they can get PS oil coolers too.

Sam

The pinion could be worn or it could just be the seal if its the seal im pretty sure it can be replaced on it own, its located there the steering wheel shaft connects into the actual rack. The seal is usually orange and you can see it from under neath.

That was the price just for the rack, and that wasnt even for the variatronic version! (more expensive). I got it fitted by them too, that was extra, my bill was like 1k, that was when I first got the car, I got other stuff done at the some time though, like bushes and engine mounts etc.

[bboystyles]

yer my ps pump nd rack need fixing, i think they sed 350 for pump nd 800 for rack (thats including installation nd wat not)

[savage1987]

Yeah I need to do a lot of that stupid random work on both my cars, like bushes, engine mounts, steering racks x2, silly things like that.

bboystyles, it's pretty straightforward to do the pump yourself if you're handy with spanners.. I did mine a while ago with just basic tools. Reconditioned pump from repco I think.

Sam

[Tom_1569]

The rack is **** easy to do, easier then the pump. I done the pwoer steering conversion on my Vk, before i even learnt to give it a service. Basic tools is needed, and once ur done take it for a wheel allignment. Bugger paying someone else to do that sorta work.

[bboystyles]

it comes down to time and effort really lol

[jas98]

anyone have a how to on reconditioning the racks in the vn etc seeing that its such a common problem?

[savage1987]

The rack is **** easy to do, easier then the pump. I done the pwoer steering conversion on my Vk, before i even learnt to give it a service. Basic tools is needed, and once ur done take it for a wheel allignment. Bugger paying someone else to do that sorta work.

Yes! That's what I wanted to hear!

As for a how-to, not sure if the actual reconditioning would be a home job, unless it's just replacing seals in which case it'd be dead easy, I'd imagine it's a workshop special.

[mUzZa88]

mine is leakin a bit the fluid hits the y pipe an smokes a bit lol need to get it fixed i think its just from fillin it too much?

[Emackulation]

mine is leakin a bit the fluid hits the y pipe an smokes a bit lol need to get it fixed i think its just from fillin it too much?

Probably not, get it checked asap. Transmission/steering fluid can catch fire man, keep it away from your exhaust.

[Pav]

You can replace the boots and rack ends yourself, but that's just a minor reco, kits are around $40 i think.
Though if the rack is really stuffed you can get re-conditioned power steering racks from ebay for around $300 including shipping (no exchange required, but can get discount if you do)
Just ask sebstenator, he just installed his in less than a day (the motor was out though). Much cheaper than $800...

[Cogez]

Main rack pinion seal? Where's that? Is that the messy bit with all the fittings near the bottom of the high pressure line? Mine is dripping pretty chronically from there. I cbf jacking it up to have a proper look though, my jack shat itself the other day.

Also Mack, was that price for a new one or reconditioned? Fitted or DIY?
I think Pedders do reco racks with filters and stuff, and I have a feeling they can get PS oil coolers too.

Sam

Dunno if this got answered already or not, but Pedders do brand new power steering racks for all cars, mine was $467. Drive so smoothly now, no more vibrations AT ALL...mostly coz i got all the bushes and **** replaced to :P $3200 well spent

[stockhorse]

$260 for remanufactured exchange unit (including freight) from ebay.1Hour to remove old unit and replace with new.You need 2 stands and about 3 spanners and very little mechanical ability.When done get wheel alignment.

[savage1987]

Nice stockhorse, that's what I like to see good news every now and then! Might look into a few options when the time comes, don't expect an update any time soon as for now I have better things to spend money on.. one day I'll get these sorted!

Any hints the car may be giving me as to whether I can do the minor recondition ($40 kit or whatever it was) or it needs a full rack?? There's a fair bit of play in the VN steering. Notice it over bumpy ground, I'm guessing this means it's time for a whole new one.

Sam

[Chirpstr]

Yeah think its around $400 bucks for a exchange one. I need to do it soon. Got play in the rack itself and every time I get a wheel alignment it goes out again which is so bloody annoying!

[Tom_1569]

DO major reco, dont bother messing around with minor reco if you have play. Vn steering racks are **** and tend to get alot of play. Also make sure you replace the tie rod ends aswell.

Who has the most play in their rack. My brothers has about 25-30 degrees each way from centre lol, and he likes it like that and wont replace it.

[savage1987]

Is there just one sort of rack when it comes to replacing them or do we have options like some later models?

LOL mine has nowhere near that! Maybe 10deg each way, MAXIMUM of 15.

Sam

[savage1987]

OK I have a second hand rack lined up for the VN (thanks Zuicider), minus ends. Is it worth the money for new ends or should I just grab some from the wreckers?

[Tom_1569]

OK I have a second hand rack lined up for the VN (thanks Zuicider), minus ends. Is it worth the money for new ends or should I just grab some from the wreckers?

Tie rod ends? If thats what your refereing to, get new ones. Ive got into a habbit of always replacing these when a rack goes on a car. TRW are really good quality and a sealed unit (no need to grease), but they are about 50-60 bux a set. Definitly replace them with new ones either way, and use decent ones.

[savage1987]

Thanks for that mate, I'll see if I can track some down... I'll be putting a fluid filter on the low pressure return line as well, should help to look after it a bit better.

Sam