VT - HSV Steering Rack Problem

[adept]

So, I brought myself an XU8 a few months back while waiting on my VR's engine to be built and tuned.

While I did my best to identify any obvious faults during test drives before i brought the car, recently the rack has began to knock on full left lock (not on full right) and the steering is now pulling to the left significantly.

over the long weekend, me n me mate got under the front end, and set it up on stands while turning the steering wheel, and noticed fluid leaking from the left hand power steering boot (after touching the boot made it perish and split) indicating that the rack is screwed and needs to be reco'd (something neither of us are comfortable doing ourselves)

Ive been quoted $550 to fully replace the rack (I asked for the VY equivilant, which apparently has improved rack ends and internals) + a re-alignment from my local mechanic.
$650 (ball park) to get it sorted by pedders (depending on the rack type.. as im not sure if its a normal or variable rack).
A local 'steering specialist' quoted $550 supply only (he didnt care whether which rack it was and scoffed at me when i asked if there was a difference price-wise).

just wondering if anyone has any feedback about getting their VT's rack replaced with a VY's, whether anyone knows if the XU' VT HSV's have standard or variable racks, and if you've had your rack done in your VT, what'd it cost ya.

[BlackVXGTS]

I can't provide a specific answer for VT models but "variable racks" are usually only used on the Calais, Statesman and equivalent HSV models (Senator etc.).

[madsav]

if your looking for a reco rack talk to repco there supplyer was charging $580 inc exchange over rack.
But after talking to a mate today he was telling me that there supplyer has gorn bankrupt and is selling everything cheap. so i ordered a rack reco no exchange for $150 nothing wrong with mine but no harm in having a spare

[gungazza]

not hard to do yourself about$200 exchange

[Sabbath']

Are you sure the knock is coming from the rack and not a droplink or upper strut mount?

You can purchase the bellows for the end of the rack for less than $50.

[Cameron P]

bellows for the end of the rack

wtf is a bellow?

[gungazza]

the rubber boot

wtf is a bellow?

[adept]

Are you sure the knock is coming from the rack and not a droplink or upper strut mount?

You can purchase the bellows for the end of the rack for less than $50.

^ the racks been replaced and the sway bars are obviously knocking (you can see chipped paint on the bars) - i saw this when i saw the rack was leaking - but the nasty knock that was coming through the steering is now gone.

When i have the money im just going to throw a nolythane kit at the whole car and some new shocks n springs to deal with the swaybar knocking.

thanks for all the feedback