new steering rack..is it time???

[oldyak]

My mechanic informed me that I needed new inner tie rods...I also have a fluid leak although this may be damage to the cooler due to running over a recap on the freeway.
I was looking at the cost of a rebuilt rack at RCM and it seemed reasonable, with the car being a 1989 with 'who knows' how many miles,and still steers well.should I make the investment in a new rack with inner rods..or look into the cooler and just have the rods replaced???

 

[itwonder]

I would go ahead and put a rack in it. I replaced inner tie rod ends on a 300ZX once, and the rack started leaking 10K miles later. My bad luck, but i think it's better to spend the difference in the first place if the rack is old and possibly leaking. AS you noted, a rebuilt rack is not hugely expensive.

 

[TYSHO]

I paid $60 or so for my rack with a lifetime warranty from a local auto store. Buy the regular 89 Taurus rack and it will work in your 89 SHO. The only difference is the bump stops inside the boots that are typical worn or broke inside not making of use anyway, and the huge price difference.

More important, find out where the leak is and take care of it.

 

[Commish56]

i just got my rack replaced on my 93,i didnt get to drive it too much because im in the process of doing the 60k.But from what i have felt already it makes a world of difference.I used to have a tight right turn and loose left and would split out fluid every time i turned. If you can get it cheap like TYSHO said i would go ahead and do it. You will be thankful you did.And you dont want old parts to wear on new ones!

 

[oldyak]

I will try the standard 1989 taurus rack..unless someone speaks up!!

 

[93rev2sev]

Consider this me speaking up.

It's 99 bucks for a remanned SABLE rack...which is VAPS(same part number as a SHO rack). Does your 89 have vaps? If not...go for the SLO rack.

 

[VADERSHO]

What about a '92 is it the same rack as the 93-95 or is it 92-89? Can I purchase a SLO rack and it work the same?

 

[oldyak]

how to determine if my 1989 has VAPS or not???

 

[93rev2sev]

If theres a IAC lookin thing between the rack and the lines, then you have VAPS.

 

[shomesomesho]

My mechanic informed me that I needed new inner tie rods...I also have a fluid leak although this may be damage to the cooler due to running over a recap on the freeway.
I was looking at the cost of a rebuilt rack at RCM and it seemed reasonable, with the car being a 1989 with 'who knows' how many miles,and still steers well.should I make the investment in a new rack with inner rods..or look into the cooler and just have the rods replaced???

You can replace the inner tie rods without having to replace the entire rack.

However if you decide you need a quality rebuilt rack, I would highly recommend Steeringstore.com. They rebuild there own stuff, are top quality (I have purchased 2 racks from them), reasonably priced, have free shipping, and give you a 3 year warranty.

BTW a stock '89 SHO rack does not have VAPS.