Rebuilt Steering racks "feeler"

[benebob]

Originally Posted by 1986nate

I do get the point actually. Someone post up the final price of what it cost them to get one rebuilt at a local shop or at least get a quote. I know locally by me, there aren't any shops who will do this work-or at least that I've found/heard of. The problem is going to be that any local shop is still going to have to go out and buy the seals needed from Subaru so parts cost is going to be the same. The key is going to be that their labor rates are obviously going to be higher than what it is for me to do this...

Edit: Or is a local shop going to find all the right seals for the rack right away from another source?-this isn't sarcasm either, honest question...

Do the research. Yes it might mean you have to look at a classic car magazine or restorers monthly as just like carb builders and good chromers these type of businesses don't "need" customers. They tend get more then they can handle. Where do you think someone gets a rack rebuilt for a 48 Hudson? A seal is just that. If you have the specs they are available. National Bearing Co is a very good source. Subaru doesn't do a good service of providing this. Honda (at least Honda bikes) list all the dimensions in their parts lists. The local shop found all the seals for my dessert dried tvr even though to this day I still have no idea who made the rack. You need to keep in mind that researching alternative seal sources usually isn't cost effective when your paying honest mechanic wages.

[1986nate]

Originally Posted by benebob

Do the research. Yes it might mean you have to look at a classic car magazine or restorers monthly as just like carb builders and good chromers these type of businesses don't "need" customers. They tend get more then they can handle. Where do you think someone gets a rack rebuilt for a 48 Hudson? A seal is just that. If you have the specs they are available. National Bearing Co is a very good source. Subaru doesn't do a good service of providing this. Honda (at least Honda bikes) list all the dimensions in their parts lists. The local shop found all the seals for my dessert dried tvr even though to this day I still have no idea who made the rack. You need to keep in mind that researching alternative seal sources usually isn't cost effective when your paying honest mechanic wages.

Good points. This is why all of this is just a "feeler" I will be able to "tear into" a spare rack in about a month or so. When I do this, I will be able to get all of the seal dimensions and find other sources for replacements. If I'm able to find all of the needed seals at a much cheaper price, this will also reflect the price that I would be selling this for. This is what this thread is for. Perhaps I should have put it in the tech section instead of straight here right away.
That is why I am trying to get info as to how much one would really cost so that I know what I have to compete with to find out if its worth my time to beat whatever the lowest price option out there is. So if people can get a quote from a local shop, thats great. Right now the lowest price that I have to "compete" against is about $230 shipped for the engine RPM version and $330 shipped for the vehicle speed sensitive version.

[Freeman]

Aftermarket rack for the svx? Would one off an sti work? Would it be lighter?

[1986nate]

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[1986nate]

Alright, so since the deal to buy the current extra steering rack I have seems to have fallen through (no payment received in over a month) I will be able to start tearing into that rack instead of having to wait until after Reading where I am getting another one. Hopefully I will have some progress and info in the near future.

[Freeman]

That's great. Make sure to keep us updated. I'm sure this will be a great service for everyone who owns an SVX.... With leaky ps racks..

[thickasxthieves]

is there any way to quicken up the steering ratio while your in there? just wondering.... cause that would be sweeet.

[1986nate]

Originally Posted by thickasxthieves

is there any way to quicken up the steering ratio while your in there? just wondering.... cause that would be sweeet.

Not easily or with the components there. You would have to change out the entire steering gear assembly. And not sure if anything else would be easily compatible meaning you would need things custom made. Probably not going to be worth the price to pay. You could get the front steering rack from a JDM 4WS though. Those came with a "quicker" turning gear than all other models.

[GgabrielBenitez]

I've got a leaky steering column. But does this mean it's leaking power steering fluid? I checked mine after I failed inspection and still after months the fluid is still at the same level. He quoted me for 1400 dollars. That's pretty steep. Does anyone here know a cheaper alternative?

[benebob]

Originally Posted by GgabrielBenitez

I've got a leaky steering column. But does this mean it's leaking power steering fluid? I checked mine after I failed inspection and still after months the fluid is still at the same level. He quoted me for 1400 dollars. That's pretty steep. Does anyone here know a cheaper alternative?

No it means you need to find an honest mechanic. In theory I suppose it is possible to be leaking but in reality I've never seen a column leaking grease unless a seal fell out completely. If that's the case a used column and 2-3 hours labor should take care if it. I know Subeman90 has a column he's trying to get rid of. Might want to hit him up.

[1986nate]

Well, just an update, but I finally have the old rack completely disassembled and will start looking around for the various seals needed as time allows.
Will keep you all posted