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Steering rack - rebuild or get second hand
Posted: Sat Sep 22, 2007 5:20 pm
by RallyMad
Hey everyone just wanted to ask some advice.
I took my car to pedders for a check recently and came back with only some worn out steering rack ends and a noise from the rack. The pedders guy was useless saying he would have to find out what car the FTO rack is the same as (local) but didn't like me telling him that I would be able to do this easier myself.
Anyway after doing some searching

I've had a few ideas. I've only lived here for a few years but have a great mechanic and have heard about a few great steering and suspension specialists. Should I just take it to them and get them to rebuild it or should I try and source say a second hand steering rack and get it rebuilt and then sell my own (for someone else to fix)?
The pedders guy confused hell out of me carrying on like it would be better to get another reco'd rack then rebuild the current rack. This sounds like crap to me more that I think about it, anyone like to confirm this for me please
Oh, and no, the car will not be going back to pedders to get the work done

Posted: Sat Sep 22, 2007 5:44 pm
by manofwood
most places will give you a cashback on your busted rack, as they will rebuild and resell it, and if they have a reco'd one sitting around, it would only take take a day, if that, to install it. you dont have much chance selling a wrecked rack yourself though
I made the mistake
Posted: Sat Sep 22, 2007 6:37 pm
by dstocks
I made the mistake of getting Pedders to fix mine. Took it in to get a noise fixed. They said that the rack was the problem. $1100 later....... And it didnt even fix the noise
Anyway, if you end up wanting a second hand one, I can help you out
Re: I made the mistake
Posted: Sun Sep 23, 2007 2:42 am
by akuma3
dstocks wrote:I made the mistake of getting Pedders to fix mine. Took it in to get a noise fixed. They said that the rack was the problem. $1100 later....... And is didnt even fix the noise
Anyway, if you end up wanting a second hand one, I can help you out
same with me, pedders charge me $1k for rebuilt my rack but it's still not perfect, i would say ... 60% better only which is like wtf

Posted: Sun Sep 23, 2007 5:53 pm
by RallyMad
Thanks everyone. Yeah I can't really hear any noises yet but the steering does seem really light some times.
In any case I definately know one thing from this thread, I'm not going back to pedders for anything bar another check.
Thanks Dwayne. By the sounds of it I need to save up some cash first. How much would you want?
No Idea
Posted: Mon Sep 24, 2007 9:08 am
by dstocks
PM Sent
Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2007 5:27 pm
by MuMan
Your better off getting a recoed replacement, if anything is wrong with it you can have it replaced..with yours, you get what they give you.
TRD used to be the best place for racks, but you can get them trade for around 500.
Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2007 6:31 pm
by RallyMad
Yeah, figured on that. Do you think it would be worth getting one reco'd if cause I can source one cheap (thanks Dwayne). Cause while I haven't done much looking around it seems no one has reco'd items. Just Pedders assuming they can find one

Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2007 8:44 pm
by akumi
i'm actually doing that right now!!! my whole steering rack had to be replaced. Parts + labour $650. So was i ripped off???
I saw this steering rack on the forum for $60 but seems quite rusted...
http://www.ftoaustralia.com/modules.php ... al&start=0
Posted: Thu Oct 18, 2007 2:26 am
by MuMan
$650 for a reco rack fitted is not bad..
The main problem is the boots, they seem to split & fall apart pretty easy on FTO's, especially if there's any oil weeping from the rack seals.. and once that happens the seals soon get chopped up.
The boots are $60 each from Mitsubishi.
Pedders used to be really good once, but now I think they just want your money.
Posted: Thu Oct 18, 2007 2:40 am
by akumi
phew thanks Muman, dats a relief hearing that from you.