I have a '88 hatch and the rack and pinion is going out. The junkyard in town has a few hatchbacks and I was gonna grab a rack and pinion for cheap. What do I need to look for when selecting one? Thanks for any help guys.

 

#1 main thing to check for would be cracked or torn inner boots...if these are bad theres a good chance the inner tie rods are bad. if they are visually OK check for in and out play on the inner tie rod...listen from experience YOU DO NOT WANT THIS no matter how cheap you get it... i dont care if its free it must be tight. if not the steering will be sloppy and you have a good chance of breaking more stuff later down the road.

 

Also, does it matter what year I get it out of. My car is a 1988. Would the rack and pinion be the same out of a 1990 or 1991. Also, are they the same in Sedans as well. Thanks for the help. The junkyard here has 2-'88 hatchbacks, 2-'89 hatchbacks, 1-'90 hatchback, and 2-'91 sedans

 

anyone??

 

if u get an si one the steering ratio will be more sportier..

 

If I can get an SI one I will. I just need to know if it matters what year I get it out of and does it have to be a hatchback....how about a CRX or 4 door. Can I get one out of any 4th generation civic???

 

anybody know???

 

get it from a hatch or crx. im really not sure if sedans are the same, i know for fact the power steering ones are not the same (obviously).

DX/HF and Si can swap, but they are different.

honestly tho. you can rebuild your steering rack with just $10 worth of parts. its just the rack end bushing and a adjusting the pinion and then replacing the boots if theyre torn. i doubt the pinion bearing is in need of replacement. theres nothing else more to a manual rack.

getting another used rack from the junkyard probably wont net a worthy improvement.