Minor play in steering rack end

[Scoobydoo]

So the only thing that come through in a mechanical inspection of the Legacy is that it has "minor play in l/f steering rack end"

What could this be, and is it easy enough to fix? Any estimate on what it would cost a mechanic to fix?

Guy is trying to haggle the price of the car down because of it..

[funkytown]

its a piece that wears out in the rack. they are a PITA to do yourself. cost me around $300 for my garage to replace the one on the outback.

its not a safety item in the short term but they do fail warrants on it. They also ruin your tires as your alignment wont be true.

its a simple replacement part fix at the garage - they just wear out.

[Scoobydoo]

Ok sweet as, have agreed on a reduced price, and he'll deal with it himself.

Cheers.

[Munkvy]

I replaced rack ends myself and I am no mechanical guru (unless you count dropping heavy tools on your own head!). Think the part was under $50 for each side and its a simple case of remove the dust boot on the inside and undo it from the hub at the other end and unscrew the old rack end and screw the new one on. Not a hard job provided you can get the car up in a handy position to work under from. But does require a new wheel alignment after.

[Divine]

But this is the garage forum?

[funkytown]

 Divine said:

But this is the garage forum?

fixed

[Divine]

Offer 80% off repair costs to him

[DRFVDR]

Yes very easy job,

basic tools required,spanners to suit,jack, jack stands,ruler,marker,

Jack up car,remove wheel place jackstands ,undo nut that joins ball joint to rack end,count the number of turns as u undo the rackend from ball joint( to give u an approximate wheel alignment) I double check by measuring from ball joint to steering rack,remove rack boot ( I would replace this as well)flatten lock washer so that you can undo the rack end ball joint from steering rack, fit new end with new lock washer, then put back together in the reverse of dismantling

[funkytown]

on the BP legacy i was told its not a simple job unless you have the specific tool from the garage.

Obviously this may or may not apply for other models pre or post BL/ BP so im sorry if i mislead in the case of doing it on a BH.

[Divine]

It always amazes me how the more advance vehicles get, the harder it is to fix by hand

[Scoobydoo]

This has been sorted and a reduced price that we are both happy with has been negotiated. He will take care of the repairs. Cheers.

[DRFVDR]

 funkytown said:

on the BP legacy i was told its not a simple job unless you have the specific tool from the garage.

Obviously this may or may not apply for other models pre or post BL/ BP so im sorry if i mislead in the case of doing it on a BH.

I will have to have alook at a BP Legacy ( maybe when I buy one) but I doubt the tool would be very special

[RS.YES]

Would need a crows foot spanner I think is what that special tool is called. Could use an adjustable wrench but then you'd round off the rack end and it'll be a farkin' b*tch to take off.