Steering rack queries

whitesoarer · 06-12-2011, 11:33 PM

Hi guys, ever since owning my Ghia it's had heaps of slop in the steering, and wears the outside edges of the front tyres even after an alignment. I took it to a steering and suspension joint and they diagnosed it as a worn rack - they can supply and fit a new (reco?) one for $675, not including wheel alignment.

Can a rack be worn even if it doesn't leak or make any strange noises?
And is $675 a decent price to have it replaced?

cheers

XR6WGN · 06-12-2011, 11:50 PM

Not disputing what they say but if there's somewhere else you can go for a second opinion then do it. I had a "heap of slop" in my steering a while back and it turned out to be the steering intermediate shaft (runs basically from the bottom of the steering column to the steering rack (Engine bay side)) They are unavailable new and AFAIK are not available aftermarket so you'd have to find a good one at the wreckers.

Personally, i find $675 (plus a wheel alignment) a bit rich - there's places on Ebay that can do totally recon racks for around $300 exchange - does it take $300 to fit?? But then, my rack is starting to leak and the answer I got when I asked was around $550 fitted and that was with a wheel alignment.

So yeah, all I can say is do a bit of ringing around and see what you get.

**Sorted** · 07-12-2011, 10:26 AM

$675.00 is way too much - pretty sure i paid around $300 fitted but that was a cash job and i was sure the reco rack was $200????

Get a second opinion as XR6WAG recommended

Copy post in my build thread:- http://www.fordforums.com.au/showthr...ck#post3399182

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sorted

Steering Rack was leaking so got a new one

Pub247 · 07-12-2011, 12:40 PM

As said get a 2nd opinion. As stated the intermediate shaft gives you play I your steering ie you have to turn a fair bit before wheels actually move. Wearing of tires also sounds like it cOuld be camber related

Price seems expensive if they were including new power steering lines or intermediate shaft replaced it'd be good price. They are easy to fit yourself just need a wheel alignment after

whitesoarer · 07-12-2011, 05:57 PM

Thanks for the quick replies guys. Yeah I thought $675 was way too steep. I took it to another mechanic, not a suspension place this time, and they reckon it's the intermediate shaft. They also found play in one of the camber kit bushes and refused to do an alignment until it's replaced. This could explain why my front tyres are wearing so unevenly. The suspension place missed this entirely, and went so far as to say that the front end was fine.

whitesoarer · 22-12-2011, 12:07 PM

Just letting yas know I got my Ghia fixed and you guys (and the mechanic) were spot on, it was the intermediate shaft. They couldn't get a new one (don't make them anymore) but sourced a good condition 2nd hand one and wow, the difference between old and new is night and day. They also replaced the front upper control arm bushes and the car feels almost as good as new. I'm over the moon with how it drives now