Mechanics post your top brands for Rack and Pinion

[DannyM]

I know there are probably a few mechanics on this board who have a lot of experience with replacements.. . I need to have a rack replaced on an old Honda and it seems everywhere I look the remans are just random luck. ..

All the typical AZ, Advanced, Oreilly, Cardone, Detroit etc.. are a real gamble.. There is always a guy that says they had no problem and then always a guy that says it was leaking after several months etc.... Some forums mention they think most of these are just cleaned up used units without every seal being replaced and the "reman" mfg's just gamble on them because replacing returns is cheaper than doing the actual reman work.. I don't know if there is any merit to this is but I have read that opinion many times, and if this is total bs then how could there be so many people with remans leaking quickly ?


Junkyard option seems more of a gamble with an old unit and the OE is discontinued but are there any other options out there ?

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Maval seems to have a good reputation

 

[Jetronic]

you realise that the answer is: replace the seals yourself?

 

[atikovi]

you realise that the answer is: replace the seals yourself?

Might be ok if it's just leaking, but if it's old, the internal parts are probably also worn.

 

[DemoFly]

What's the confirmed defect on the steering rack?

 

[Chris142]

All the typical AZ, Advanced, Oreilly, Cardone, Detroit etc.. are a real gamble.. There is always a guy that says they had no problem and then always a guy that says it was leaking after several months etc.... Some forums mention they think most of these are just cleaned up used units without every seal being replaced and the "reman" mfg's just gamble on them because replacing returns is cheaper than doing the actual reman work.. I don't know if there is any merit to this is but I have read that opinion many times, and if this is total bs then how could there be so many people with remans leaking quickly ?

I don't think they just paint them and resell them. The problem is reused parts that are already worn.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

I don't think they just paint them and resell them. The problem is reused parts that are already worn.

They don't just paint them and resell them. They just resell them

 

[nthach]

you realise that the answer is: replace the seals yourself?

Not everyone has the right tools on hand to tear down a rack.

 

[Jetronic]

not much teardown involved to change the seals

 

[Jetronic]

Might be ok if it's just leaking, but if it's old, the internal parts are probably also worn.

I would do it on the reman unit that will apparently have failed seals in short order. Also because the car can still be used with the old rack while sourcing the parts

 

[djkurious]

Google rackdoctor

 

[DannyM]

Google rackdoctor

https://www.yelp.com/biz/rack-doctor-hemingway#reviews

 

[atikovi]

Google rackdoctor

And avoid at all costs. No phone number or address in website. Dead links.

 

[DannyM]

And avoid at all costs. No phone number or address in website. Dead links.

https://www.yelp.com/biz/rack-doctor-hemingway#reviews

 

[PoorMans180SX]

Anything but cardone.

 

[The Critic]

Maval seems to have a good reputation

Last Maval I bought had the world's sloppiest paint job. The unit looked like it was reman'ed in someone's garage.

 

[nthach]

not much teardown involved to change the seals

That could be true. I replaced a leaky seal with a seal kit called for in a Toyota TSB. Rack stayed on the van, used long pliers as a spanner and compressed air to pop the affected seal out. Rest was cleaning, reinstall and using the pliers to install the locking wire.

 

[Chris142]

not much teardown involved to change the seals

Usually the seals leak because the internal bushings are worn.

 

[Jetronic]

Usually the seals leak because the internal bushings are worn.

on a reman rack?

 

[ls1mike]

Rackdoctor. Google it. I have one in the Trans Am and have used them in a few different cars. To include a Honda, Toyota, Mazda, My 04 Grand Prix and my old 98 Buick. The are a quality piece.

I see the other post maybe they are out of business. The really made good stuff in my experience.