rack n pinion help

[mark82nv]

well ive looked through some previous threads but not sure what im even looking for .
found a 97 lcs black on black with 204000 miles dent in passenger door, passenger headlight and bumper area broke interior looks ok and can be cleaned, and everything is supposed to work but you can barely steer it, she was told it was the rack n pinion? this is not something i have ever ran across before so if some of you can give me insight on this i would be greatly appreciative. i can get the car for a good price i think.

 

[Right on the Mark]

Really easy to replace. I just picked up a remaned rack for 84. You will most likely pay 130 ish. Look at my BBK header post and you can see where I swapped out rack. Might be pump also. I had a friend with chevy truck where the PS shaft snapped but pulley stayed on pump and you could not tell it was snapped in half.

 

[mark82nv]

she said its really hard to steer but it is steerable .would this be safe to drive 2 hours ?

 

[chris2523]

i have been told that racks don't go out very often, just start leaking at the seals and such.
they aren't hard to replace, but it is annoying being under the car and all.
personally, however, i would vote pump.

 

[Raped Ape]

Has she told you or have you asked if there is fluid leaks under the frontend everytime she parks? And when she states it is hard to steer, does she here whining from the pump? I would go with a pump over a rack under the condition you are describing. Apparently you have not seen this vehicle in person?

 

[mark82nv]

no havent seen it yet. just a bunch of pics . she said it went out on here right after she had oil changed and 2 new rear tires put on at walmart . they thought it was a hose but couldnt fix that there so she took it to a shop and they told her it was rack n pinion not the hose

 

[kustomizingkid]

Rack is a total pita... unless you have a lift (jerks with lifts... ya I'm looking at you ROTM )

Until you see it who knows what is actually wrong....