so my rack & pinion is leaking power steering fluid, and apparently needs to be replaced. Brake Check ordered a remanufactured rack and pinion assembly for me. they said getting a brand new one would be like $1000, but i should go with the remanufactured one since it's the new ones that eventually have leaking problems, and the remanufactured ones would have that problem fixed already. i had no idea how serious this was or how much it should cost, but agreed to have it fixed. they told me it would cost about $600 to replace, which sounded a lot better than 1k, so i went ahead and paid them to get that done. the parts should arrive tomorrow, and i'll be dropping my car off on tues to get it done. but i've been looking around, and it looks like the rack and pinion assembly for my car costs around 200 to 300. would labor really cost around $300+? seems like a lot, but then again i don't know how hard it is to replace the assembly. they are going to align my car "free of charge" afterwards, so I'm just wondering if i was ripped off? and if it should be cheaper, do u think there's any way i can get them to refund me some of what i paid already? thanks in advance

 

You could do it yourself w/ a friend for free, but you would then need an alignment. It isn't the simplest thing to get the steering wheel connected back up straight though. $300 labor is a lot, but I don't think it's that bad if it includes an alignment.

To say that a re-manufactured power steering gearbox will outlast a new OEM one is kinda silly though...

 

thanks for the reply, i really appreciate it

 

yea mines leaking too. and i was told the same 600 dollar price. but im not going to do it cause its not worth it. ima do it myself since an alignment only cost 40 dollars. its 250 for one at kragen with core. i've been driving on mines for awhile and no problem and the powersterring fluid has been full since and i never replaced it. i put some sealant to help either slow down the leak or cover whatever small leak there is.

 

yea, i still feel like i was ripped off. but if you can do it yourself, definitely save that money. luckily i get lifetime alignments there. i went back 4 weeks later to get another alignment after i've put some miles on it to let everything settle.

apparently i also have a lifetime warrenty on the rack and pinion, so if it ever breaks/leaks again, i'll only have to pay for labor (which was under $200. i dont know who their supplier is, but i cant imagine the assembly being $400+!!)

i guess overall it wasn't a terrible deal, but dammit, that $600 could have gone to something useful!