ripped camel
Dedicated LVC Member
If any of you have replaced your steering rack can you please post up what brand you got, and if you've had any issues with it? I'm buying one today.
If you've replaced your steering rack what do you have?
- Thread starter ripped camel
- Start date
Icarus
Dedicated LVC Member
Cardone stuff is crap. I went through 5 pumps and 2 racks of theirs on my VII, even had the regional rep helping me with the installs to check...
topher5150
Dedicated LVC Member
I have a Cardone I believe, $88 reman. Check the inner tie rods I had to swap them out because there wasn't enough thread on the rod to align it properly
BAD97LSC
Dedicated LVC Member
derek thats the name i was trying to tell you on the phone cardone, thats what my buddy bought 3 times in 3 days until he finally got a rack from another company that worked. cardone is doo doo.
ripped camel
Dedicated LVC Member
Great, because the one I was looking at was Fenco from Advance and it's on sale right now for $70+ tax with a lifetime warranty. I'm buying that then. Thanks guys.
BAD97LSC
Dedicated LVC Member
yeah derek why dont you price one from max first you cant put it in right now so why rush to buy one, you are best off with a factory ford rack out of any of them out there.
ripped camel
Dedicated LVC Member
yeah, but they are only a 12 month, 12,000 mile warranty and sell for $200. My local dealer has the same prices as max usually. This rack is going to cost me $70 after discount and has a lifetime warranty. I'm not exactly floating in money after all the cash this thing has so far cost me lately. I've got THOUSANDS into this thing. I just don't have the money for it.
Many parts regardless are built by aftermarket companies by Ford, so saying it is a OEM part and aftermarket isn't as good would be a somewhat false statement. Jamie even you agreed with me that OEM isn't necessary most the time and is a waste of money to buy.
Ratech makes the gear installation kit for Ford Racing. When I bought the Ford Racing gear installation kit for my Mustang it came in a Ratech box. When I called Ford Racing they said that I was sent the right thing, and that Ratech makes the kit for them.
In other words buying OEM does not mean it's made by Ford. My O2's that I just bought from Ford came in a Ford package but said (made in Japan).
If I had tons to spend, or if this was just one problem, I'd probably spend the extra on the ford rack for the hell of it. But because I've dumped so much money into this car in the last few months I can't swing this.
Don't forget on top of buying the rack, I had to buy the IMRC from someone, I have to buy an air conditioner (because I'm going on a 1500 mile trip with my to be newborn) and then have to pay to have the system recharged.
I'm just not made of money.
Many parts regardless are built by aftermarket companies by Ford, so saying it is a OEM part and aftermarket isn't as good would be a somewhat false statement. Jamie even you agreed with me that OEM isn't necessary most the time and is a waste of money to buy.
Ratech makes the gear installation kit for Ford Racing. When I bought the Ford Racing gear installation kit for my Mustang it came in a Ratech box. When I called Ford Racing they said that I was sent the right thing, and that Ratech makes the kit for them.
In other words buying OEM does not mean it's made by Ford. My O2's that I just bought from Ford came in a Ford package but said (made in Japan).
If I had tons to spend, or if this was just one problem, I'd probably spend the extra on the ford rack for the hell of it. But because I've dumped so much money into this car in the last few months I can't swing this.
Don't forget on top of buying the rack, I had to buy the IMRC from someone, I have to buy an air conditioner (because I'm going on a 1500 mile trip with my to be newborn) and then have to pay to have the system recharged.
I'm just not made of money.
DLF
Dedicated LVC Member
Just me, but I don't think I'd take a 1,500 mile trip in your car.... 
ripped camel
Dedicated LVC Member
Just me, but I don't think I'd take a 1,500 mile trip in your car....
That's why I'm trying to iron out the issues now. It's got to be close to good. It's got all the following replaced in the last 3 months brand new battery, alternator, water pump, crankshaft position sensor, O2 sensor, motorcraft platinum plugs, SVT fuel pump, Mach 1 Torque Converter, PCV, tires, pass lca, strut rod bushings, all new gaskets including oil filter adapter gasket, oil pan, ds head, valve cover gaskets, rubber engine mounts, 80k 98 tranny, J-MOD, EBC dimpled and slotted rotors with EBC green stuff pads, plus DLF's headlight adapter with new DDM 9006 6000k's...
All fluids have been changed:
New antifreeze with water wetter, complete flush of the tranny with a Mercon V fill up, Motorcraft part synthetic oil (switching to Royal Purple before the trip), brake fluid, power steering fluid.
By this point not including labor I have $2231...with labor closer to $3300.
Plus the exhaust was changed last year from the cat back and the third cat was removed and switched, alont with a K&N panel filter and motorcraft fuel filter. I also installed a new drivers side seatbelt and put brand new floormats in along with tinting the windows.
After adding the stuff from a year ago it's another $780...for a grand total of $4080 into this car thus far. With purchase price I'm into it after tax, tag and title $7380!!!!
After this the steering rack will be new too.
It will also have newer used IMRC box along with a newer used A/C compressor.
It's got to be close to perfect soon. This thing can't be far off from being a great reliable car. Most members haven't had to put half the stuff I did into their cars yet (and I've done that all in 3 months) and their cars are reliable, so my car has got to be close.
Btw, the grand total will be very near $8000 at this point
Edit: Oh yeah and I forgot the $60 I spent on new chrome for the middle of the moldings, and $300 to date in dent repair and headlight restoration. Also a the panel (forgot the name) for the vent to switch from A/C to heat which was $55. So add $415 to that!
kustomizingkid
Dedicated LVC Member
Are you planning to do the swap yourself?
Just curious because the rack swap is one of the hardest freaking jobs on a Mark VIII... and last time you tried a tough job...
Just curious because the rack swap is one of the hardest freaking jobs on a Mark VIII... and last time you tried a tough job...
ripped camel
Dedicated LVC Member
Nope, Jamie said he'll do it. He misses my car...at the meet he kept hovering over it. That's why he offered to trade me his 93 for it, because he has an undying love for it
philly0420
Dedicated LVC Member
Your car is jinxed. I know some people who know some people who will make your car disappear and you can collect the insurance loot.
BAD97LSC
Dedicated LVC Member
the only hovering over your car was to see what i could do quickly that would make the car disappear without getting caught. i will never miss your car. only reason i offered to trade you was so i could part yours out and buy a 2nd gen for shari that isnt such a lemon, pickle smoocher!!!
ripped camel
Dedicated LVC Member
Jamie, you're probably dreaming about my car as we speak. I wouldn't be surprised if you stalk my car and look at it from afar at night...I mean, think about it, you did have an awful lot of time with it
Nah I have more into it than the insurance would pay out anyway
HAHA