bad rack and pinion??

**mr_r0bert0** · 08-20-2009, 09:27 AM

Ok well here's the story.. I was on my way out the door when I realize my front tire has a nice size slit in it.. So I decide its time for new front tires... I go to Tire Works and get tires... I need an alignment too.. They come back and tell me they can't align the front because my rack and pinion are all messed and it would be 700 bucks to have it fixed... how can I tell if my rack and pinion are messed up... drives normal.. No leaks.. No play big play in the wheels.. any help?

**Smittro** · 08-20-2009, 09:30 AM

Originally Posted by mr_r0bert0

Ok well here's the story.. I was on my way out the door when I realize my front tire has a nice size slit in it.. So I decide its time for new front tires... I go to Tire Works and get tires... I need an alignment too.. They come back and tell me they can't align the front because my rack and pinion are all messed and it would be 700 bucks to have it fixed... how can I tell if my rack and pinion are messed up... drives normal.. No leaks.. No play big play in the wheels.. any help?

Something does'nt add up there..Was the car ever wrecked? Maybe try getting a second oppinion from somewhere else.

**mr_r0bert0** · 08-20-2009, 09:38 AM

Well yeah.. I was hit in an intersection... had to replace bumper, berger and stock 10 bolt... insurance took care of that but I paid out of pocket to have everything else looked at and full tune up... they said it all looked good.. And this was a year ago... haven't hit anything not even a curb since then... and I think maybe I showed to much cash on the spot and they tried takin me for a fool... im going to a mechanic (my friend) who works next to me tomorro and get a second opinion

**Smittro** · 08-20-2009, 09:45 AM

Originally Posted by mr_r0bert0

Well yeah.. I was hit in an intersection... had to replace bumper, berger and stock 10 bolt... insurance took care of that but I paid out of pocket to have everything else looked at and full tune up... they said it all looked good.. And this was a year ago... haven't hit anything not even a curb since then... and I think maybe I showed to much cash on the spot and they tried takin me for a fool... im going to a mechanic (my friend) who works next to me tomorro and get a second opinion

Yeah I would get a second opy, cant see getting rear ended causing that..

**Cutlass** · 08-22-2009, 03:43 AM

Originally Posted by mr_r0bert0

...they can't align the front because my rack and pinion are all messed...

Thats a pretty vague description from them. Did they say specifically what was wrong with the rack and pinion? Did they say it was loose, bent, or seized/they couldn't adjust it?

What did your buddy mechanic friend say?

**JaycenK** · 08-24-2009, 08:03 AM

racks are only like 150 bucks rebuilt at one of the parts stores and you could do it your self.

**Musclecargt71** · 08-24-2009, 08:07 AM

Originally Posted by JaycenK

racks are only like 150 bucks rebuilt at one of the parts stores and you could do it your self.

ya, just the rack mounting bolt on the drivers side wont come out unless you jack the engine up a little bit (gotta take the motor mount bolt off, at least on the T/A's anyway). Just put one in the T/A, aside from that bolt the rest is cake.