steering rack shot

[jimvibe]

2003 Vibe GT. I was pulling out of a parking spot months and months ago and let the wheel turn as far as it could go and I heard some kind of crick noise but nothing really came of it. It would sometimes make the same noise when I made a sharper turn (at slower speeds like after a stop sign or red light). Well, I went on a trip this week and it got extremely worse. The steering wheel starting slipping and soon enough I was driving down the highway (straight) with my steering wheel turned a full 90 degrees to the right. I took it in to get looked at and I'm looking at over $800 to replace the steering rack (five hours of labor!). NAPA's website has a complete rack and pinion for about $300 (plus core charge). Is this a possible DIY? I'm calling a bunch of people I know to see if they or someone they know could tackle this and save me some cash. Any type of warranty available from Pontiac (I'm at 104,00 miles so odds are not in my favor)? Anybody out there dealt with this? If any of you guys have any ideas or suggestions, I'd greatly appreciate them!

[zionzr2]

Welcome!!!My Wifes Cavalier has had a tiny leak and the dealer wants over $1200 to replace the stearing rack. So $800 dont sound as bad. but hers didnt have actual stearing problems it just uses steering fluid a bottle of fluid is a lot cheaper and the last bottle lasted over a year. Like a said a tiny leak.

[Sublimewind]

I simply can't imagine it being that difficult of a job, but, than again, i haven't seen that area of the car yet.... No telling what has to be moved to get the rack out, but i just can't imagine it being super difficult, just time consuming...

[joatmon]

might be a DIY, depending on what you can do and what tools you have, but it looks like a lot of work.Still, steering is one of those things you want a car to be able to do.

Attached files w040001.pdf (421.5 KB) 

[jimvibe]

Hey guys.Thanks for your feedback and (joatmon) for the .pdf. I'm probably going to get the rack and pinion sent to me and a friend of mine knows at least one guy who might be able to help me out with less labor cost. So, hopefully it will be fixed by the end of the week (for less than $800). Thanks again for your help!

[Sublimewind]

Yeah, that .pdf is showing a rebuild, where you would just be replacing, so much of that can bee read over... I mean you have each ball joint, the hydrolic lines, some attachment points and the steering linkage...