buying 2nd hand steering rack (not recon)

[jtu100]

Hi,

How risky would you say it was to use a 2nd hand power steering rack on my car? (NOT reconditioned!)

I need to replace my current one as it has a worn rack + pinion (too much freeplay).

I am trying to do as cheap a job as possible as I'm gonna sell the car, but it has to pass the road safety test (which it failed on steering).

Do you reckon that most 2nd hand steering racks for the SV21 are, by now, worn? Or would you say a large percentage of camrys that get wrecked have perfectly good steering racks.

i.e. how common is the problem of worn steering racks?

Cheers,
Jack

[toyomoho]

Are you sure it is the rack/pinion and not a tie rod or steering connection rod. The rack has flexable joint attached to each end (under the boot) plus the tie rod ends. Have you attempted any pinion adjustment on the current unit?

Are you going to pull the unit yourself from a junker and install it yourself? What does a used unit cost? Can you compare what you have now on the worn unit to the unit you are interested in? See if the rack has side play, end play, leaking seals (most common issue), damaged boots that could have allowed dirt to enter and destroy the seals.

Don't think worn out racks are that common. Your issue is the price differential between a rebuilt and used rack, plus the installation time issue if the used rack is bad.

[TBayToyotaBoy]

Actually, steering racks are fairly disposable on the gen2 Camrys. Not that they're crap, but with their age now, many have gone south. If you scour the wrecking yards and find one that has obviously been replaced (tags still on the housing would be mint), then go with that. I can't speak for your climate, but in the Great White Salty North where I drive, anything exposed to road spray is a goner.

[jtu100]

I wonder if I had better get a 2nd opinion on my steering rack then before I waste money getting it replaced. This is what the Road Traffic Authority 'Repairs Required" form said:

"Excessive Freeplay Due to Wear - Steering Rack & Tie Rods"

The guy in the garage did seem pretty sure though, from what I remember.

[TBayToyotaBoy]

Most of that wear is probably the tie-rod ends. I replace them at least once a year (stupid potholes).