Anyone Done DIY Replacement of Steering Rack?

[Grenvilleter]

When I did my rack upon reassembly I was out by 1 or 2 teeth on the spline. When I got it aligned, they were able to straighten up the steering wheel to proper position.

 

[Brian757]

Don't mean to bring up an old thread, but I figured I wouldn't start yet another steering rack thread.

I just put my truck in the shop because of popping when I turn, and some sloppiness on the interstate. For awhile, I was attributing my symptoms to just having 35 inch tires. Since then, it's gotten much worse. Well, I received a call from the shop and they said that a bearing or something actually inside the steering rack is destroyed. I recently replace my inner and outer tie rods, so those weren't the issue.

With that said, the reason I'm even writing, is because I was quoted $930 for parts, labor and an alignment. It'll be a re-manufactured A1 Cardone.

Questions

1. Anyone have any input for the brand of steering rack?
2. Is $930 reasonable for this job? (At this point in my life, I've got more money than time.)

 

[A.Wilson013]

With that said, the reason I'm even writing, is because I was quoted $930 for parts, labor and an alignment. It'll be a re-manufactured A1 Cardone.

Questions

1. Anyone have any input for the brand of steering rack?
2. Is $930 reasonable for this job? (At this point in my life, I've got more money than time.)

Hey Brian- I just googled the brand name and found them on Amazon. On average it looks like the reman racks are around $200 with prime shipping. Some closer to $100.

That said, I will consider "parts" as the rack, and fluids. $250.

Now, for the labor part. [MENTION=82154]GSPRunner[/MENTION] and I replaced his rack and I think it took us about 5 hours. We are NOT skilled mechanics and ran in to quite a few hiccups along the way. If I had to do it again (I actually removed mine last week) I think it'd take around 3 hours. It's NOT a difficult task.

So say they're charging $100/hr on labor, 3 hours, we're now at $550 or so.

Alignment. Are you lifted on 35s and still without the Firestone Lifetime? How do you have more money than time?! I'd be broke if I paid for every alignment I have gotten.

tl;dr I think that's quite a bit too much to pay for that brand of rack installed, and I'd be worried of how well it'd deal with the 35s. If I were in your position I'd order a Safari rack (unless you don't have time to wait) and find a shop that's willing to install it. I'd then purchase a Firestone lifetime alignment.

My guess is they're valuing that rack at more than double what it is on Amazon (not a knock on them, they're probably not buying the rack from Amazon) and then applying their mark up.

 

[Panman]

It'll be a re-manufactured A1 Cardone.

tl;dr I think that's quite a bit too much to pay for that brand of rack installed, and I'd be worried of how well it'd deal with the 35s. If I were in your position I'd order a Safari rack (unless you don't have time to wait) and find a shop that's willing to install it. I'd then purchase a Firestone lifetime alignment.

Safari's rack is manufactured by Atlantic, I bought mine from here for $350 when I did mine in December.
From what I've read, remans are not as good as new, they are more prone to failure. I opted to buy that one, and not risk having to do it over.

I was quoted $480 by the dealer to have them replace it, but I did it myself.

 

[BamaDrewski]

I bought a new rack years ago from carsteering.com. I had a local shop install it. It has been excellent and comes with a 3 year/36k mile warranty. They run around $300. I believe others on here have also bought their racks. Good luck!

 

[Brian757]

My guess is they're valuing that rack at more than double what it is on Amazon (not a knock on them, they're probably not buying the rack from Amazon) and then applying their mark up.

Thank you for all of the information and the breakdown Wilson. I know this shop stands by(warranties) their work and would replace it if it were to prematurely fail. I asked them what the part number was that they were replacing, and it was 26-2625. The only one I could find on Amazon was:
http://www.amazon.com/Cardone-26-2625-Remanufactured-Import-Pinion/dp/B000IYD690

 

[NEKExplorer]

I watched that video that Eric the Car Guy has up on replacing a 4th Gen rack, and it looked like it took him several hours, was generally an unpleasant job, and he was lucky he didn't break stuff trying to get rusty parts apart (not his fault, just rusted parts). It looked like he had a great difficulty getting the rack out, and had unbolt the oil filter/cooler assembly, and something with the front diff as well. So my question is, it such an ordeal on the 3rd gen as well? The FSM doesn't list removing/disconnecting those parts, only the outer tie rods and the stabilizer bar. I don't remember seeing him take off a stabilizer bar on the 4th gen.

Bottom line, assuming moderate rust, how many hours should I expect a pro to bill me for this job on a 3rd Gen?

Thanks

 

[4Runner4TW]

I bought a new rack years ago from carsteering.com. I had a local shop install it. It has been excellent and comes with a 3 year/36k mile warranty. They run around $300. I believe others on here have also bought their racks. Good luck!

I second this rack. Bought this same one after I broke my rack on a trail. Install was easy, all hand tools. Hardest part is keeping the steering wheel straight.