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How Easy Is It To Repair/recon A Steering Rack?


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Im struggling to find a replacement rack. Mine is leaking from the top of the body and im sure it will be a 5p O ring or a simple seal, so im thinking of stripping it and repairing the rack i have.

Anyone done this?

Am I being a bit mad here?

Is it something that can be done my a competent amateur mechanic without specialist knowledge and tools?

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I've been told by a Lexus-trained mechanic,that its possible to do it yourself,( mine is needing looked-at also,its got a leak) but its a daunting prospect, -as I'm not sure if fiddling with the steering-rack,is something that my mechanical knowledge/competence is up to these days! Good luck anyway,hope you get it fixed.

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I found this that might be of interest to you http://www.clublexus.com/forums/suspension-and-brakes/442710-boots-leaking-steering-rack-rack-and-pinion-replacement-diy.html

And i found this that makes it sound like a straight forward job to replace the seals http://www.clarks-garage.com/shop-manual/steer-03.htm

He recons on 1 to 2 hours to replace the seals. Doesnt sound all that complicated to me. I even found the seal kit for about £40 here http://steeringseals.com/kits.html

I might have a go.

Hope this if interest and help to you mate.

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Looking at the factory manual (PM your email if you want a copy of the rack section) some special tools are required to do the job, personally I would rather entrust the work to a professional outfit like the company that supplies the seals you mention.

One mistake with an O ring, seal or incorrect torque on a nut and the outcome could be serious.

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Looking at the factory manual (PM your email if you want a copy of the rack section) some special tools are required to do the job, personally I would rather entrust the work to a professional outfit like the company that supplies the seals you mention.

One mistake with an O ring, seal or incorrect torque on a nut and the outcome could be serious.

Fare comment Steve but its a matter if financial necessity rather than a desire to fiddle about with a complicated piece of kit.

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Sir John, you could try adding some 'Stop Leak' type stuff to your power steering fluid. It makes the rubber 'O' rings swell a bit and thereby sorts the problem. I don't know how effective they are but it's worth a try in my book, before you go the mechanical route. You would have to remove some fluid from the P/S resovoir with a syringe first before adding. Put some in, wipe off the leaking oil and drive around for a while. Then have another look. It might just save your bacon.

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Sir John, you could try adding some 'Stop Leak' type stuff to your power steering fluid. It makes the rubber 'O' rings swell a bit and thereby sorts the problem. I don't know how effective they are but it's worth a try in my book, before you go the mechanical route. You would have to remove some fluid from the P/S resovoir with a syringe first before adding. Put some in, wipe off the leaking oil and drive around for a while. Then have another look. It might just save your bacon.

Tried that Steve. It didnt work. It just ran straight through like he PAS fluid.

Thanks anyway.

Cheers.

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Having done a lot of research on this subject through various forums here and overseas it would seem a competent technichan could do this job .I do not think it is a job for an amatuer mechanic as the replacement of the O-rings requires the removal of the rack to access the required areas.That task is quite involved and best done on a lift, also the comments made by Steve regarding serious consequences are very relevant and outweigh any desire to save cost.

The replacement of the O-rings might not solve the problem as the bores could be worn and that is a job beyond any mechanic.

The best solution would be a replacement reconditioned unit fitted by a competent technichan, even if it is a stretch of the wallet at least you will have the confidence that the car is safe to drive.

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Having done a lot of research on this subject through various forums here and overseas it would seem a competent technichan could do this job .I do not think it is a job for an amatuer mechanic as the replacement of the O-rings requires the removal of the rack to access the required areas.That task is quite involved and best done on a lift, also the comments made by Steve regarding serious consequences are very relevant and outweigh any desire to save cost.

The replacement of the O-rings might not solve the problem as the bores could be worn and that is a job beyond any mechanic.

The best solution would be a replacement reconditioned unit fitted by a competent technichan, even if it is a stretch of the wallet at least you will have the confidence that the car is safe to drive.

Thanks for you response Ambermarine,

The best solution would be a replacement reconditioned unit fitted by a competent technichan, even if it is a stretch of the wallet at least you will have the confidence that the car is safe to drive.

I lost all confidence in these COMPETENT technicians a long, long time ago; parts not fitted correctly, service items missed, engine oil not changed at services, nuts and bolts missing, wheel nuts not tightened up properly, brake back plates left loose, heat shields not refitted after repair, welding not fused properly, sills damaged and tie rods bent by trolley jacks, timing belt changed only to snap thus trashing the engine 10 yds from the garage and a complete wheel, brake, hub assembly falling off while my wife was driving the car because the COMPETENT technician forgot to put the retaining nut on a new ball joint.

There is not a COMPETENT technician in the country that I trust to do a job as thoughally as I will do a job.

Sorry if this sounds like I'm having a go, I'm not, I just don't trust these people any more.

If you are a trained mechanic or technician and dont like what I have to say, dont wait for an apology from me, you need to ask that of others in your industry. They are the reason for my complete and utter distrust of so called trained technicians and mechanics.

Ill let you know how I get on.

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Having done a lot of research on this subject through various forums here and overseas it would seem a competent technichan could do this job .I do not think it is a job for an amatuer mechanic as the replacement of the O-rings requires the removal of the rack to access the required areas.That task is quite involved and best done on a lift, also the comments made by Steve regarding serious consequences are very relevant and outweigh any desire to save cost.

The replacement of the O-rings might not solve the problem as the bores could be worn and that is a job beyond any mechanic.

The best solution would be a replacement reconditioned unit fitted by a competent technichan, even if it is a stretch of the wallet at least you will have the confidence that the car is safe to drive.

Thanks for you response Ambermarine,

The best solution would be a replacement reconditioned unit fitted by a competent technichan, even if it is a stretch of the wallet at least you will have the confidence that the car is safe to drive.

I lost all confidence in these COMPETENT technicians a long, long time ago; parts not fitted correctly, service items missed, engine oil not changed at services, nuts and bolts missing, wheel nuts not tightened up properly, brake back plates left loose, heat shields not refitted after repair, welding not fused properly, sills damaged and tie rods bent by trolley jacks, timing belt changed only to snap thus trashing the engine 10 yds from the garage and a complete wheel, brake, hub assembly falling off while my wife was driving the car because the COMPETENT technician forgot to put the retaining nut on a new ball joint.

There is not a COMPETENT technician in the country that I trust to do a job as thoughally as I will do a job.

Sorry if this sounds like I'm having a go, I'm not, I just don't trust these people any more.

If you are a trained mechanic or technician and dont like what I have to say, dont wait for an apology from me, you need to ask that of others in your industry. They are the reason for my complete and utter distrust of so called trained technicians and mechanics.

Ill let you know how I get on.

Sounds like you have had some really bad experiences. My local garage has serviced all the family cars for the past 25 years and not once have we ever had cause to complain about anything. He is worth his weight in gold. Mike

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Genuinely great to hear it Mike. I'm glad you have a good relationship with your man. I'm not saying that all the work i have had done has been bad. Just enough for me not to trust them anymore.

My dad has a mechanic that looks after his 190E Merc. Last year he diagnosed a failed head gasket after my dad had broken down. I looked at it and within 2 minutes found the dissi cap was loose and the rota needed changing. £30/done!

Mechanics HG removal, strip, skim, rebuild and refit diagnosis; £700+. He was either too stupid to spot the true cause or too lazy.

If I hadn't picked up the true fault my dad would have had the work done and thought his mechanic was a grand bloke.

Sorry, I just don't trust them.

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Sir John

I am not offended by your response, your request for feedback as to wether this was a job that could be done by an Amatuer is my main concern.I to have had jobs done on my vehicles that have not been as good as I would have expected from professionals,that said I have also had some superb work done by amatuers but there is a degree of profiency required when it comes to doing work that could result in an accident if not done correctly.

To that end a line must be drawn as to what anyone attempts in the pursuit of a goal, be it costsaving, loss of confidence in others or even a sniff of a challenge.

I am sure you are a genuine and responsible person but my maxim is, stick to what you know and be good at it, if not find someone who is.

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