Anyone have any success/failure/horror stories with aftermarket options for 98+ steering racks? There are not a ton of options, the usual suspect brands from parts stores/rockauto in new or reman, or a couple of rebuilders. Namely https://shop.rackdoctor.net/1996-200...ring-25433.htm or https://www.detroitaxle.com/shop/ste...onda&vmd=Civic ... I have not purchased anything from either. Wondering what else might be out there. Would love to do a proper rebuild of the original but its a 280k+ rack with shagged gearing and just not wort h the effort.

 

Over the years, I've purchased lifetime-warrantied refurbished racks from AutoZone and O'Reilly to fix leaking end seals. Haven't had any problems.

 

I ordered a Detroit axle one for my 93 from amazon, leaked right out of the box

the first one from autozone leaked, 2nd one was good

 

Ordered a remanufactured unit from eBay one time and transferred a hardline from the old rack to the new one due to the replacement having a blatant split in the line. No leaks after 3 years, and the guy I did it for is still driving the car.

 

Decided to order from Rack Doctor. $294 shipped with new outer tie rods and a lifetime warranty. We’ll see how this goes.

Next decision is bushings... Poly or Aluminum. Don’t really want to make the thing more of a rattle trap than it already is but solid stuff always feels so nice.

 

how is it working out for you?

 

The rack is fine, ll of the boots and rubber are good quality as far as I can tell. Cosmetically I was disappointed to find it was painted but whatever. Customer service from rackdoctor.net has been poor at best. They failed to include my tie rod ends and basically never answer emails or the phone. I got the guy on the horn one day to get my shipping label and he never sent it. Actually need to try him again today, it's pretty much my last chance to ship this thing before my travel starts next week.

 

If they don't respond, request a chargeback on the card for refusal of core return. That'll get their attention.

 

Finally got a hold of the guy. They’ve been moving their shop so I guess not really answering the phone much. The problem is, they owe me $50 for the tie rod ends they failed to ship, plus a warranty activation on return of the core - that is how they get their cores back rather than charging a fee. Whatever, it’s on it’s way back to South Carolina and the guy was nice enough about it.

I can’t say there’s anything wrong with the product but the customer service was lackluster. I wish I’d just gotten a Honda reman but it’s my understanding that I would have to have delivered the core back to Torrance myself since that’s where my parts come straight from.

 

What I would do if I were you. Get an aftermarket rack but buy an Integra pinion for it. The steering ratio of your current is 3.6, the 3.2 from the Interga pinion is a lot quicker steering. Night and day difference! This is if you are going performance.

 

lol, said that..

 

Whelp, this rack needs to come out. It’s been leaking a little bit, just enough to notice a little wetness. I washed it down and put in a half bottle of uv dye to see if I could locate the leak and it seems to be coming from everywhere except the lines/fittings and it’s increasingly worse. Left he car in the garage for a couple of nights while I was working on other stuff and it left a few drips of alien blood on the ground. It’s all over the catalyst and subframe too.

Not super looking forward to replacing this thing again. Worst ******* job on these cars.

 

damn... welps. honda here we go.

 

I wish. Honda remans are long gone or this thread never would have happened.

 

rebuild one?

 

Possibly. Likely just try to get this thing warrantied and go from there. Still my daily, don’t have the time to have the car down for weeks while I acquire special tools/parts, then end up with a rack gear thats worn out. Really don’t want to do the job a third time either. Almost a 300kmile chassis now, just want it to work and not leak.

 

NAPA has always done me solid on steering rack. My current rack is a rebuilt Type R from NAPA. Works like a champion.

 

Yeah, we'll see how this warranty experience goes. I'll try and swap it out ibn November after my travel season ends.