Power steering rack - UK suppliers

[RickyS]

Any recommendations for suppliers of a remanufactured power steering rack in the UK.

Should I get a rack from one of the parts suppliers, PFS etc. or go direct to one of the rebuilders. I am wondering whether there is a difference in the quality of the remanufactured racks from the various suppliers and rebuilders.

You know what you get with a new part.

[Matthew]

You can get a rebuild rack from Power Steering Services in Greenwich for less than £100 delivered.
http://www.power-steering.co.uk/

No idea about their quality though.

Have you considered rebuilding the rack yourself? Might be worth looking into. The service manual has instructions. Some useful info here:
http://www.saabcentral.com/forums/sh...ad.php?t=78617

One criticism of rebuilt racks voiced here is the replacement of metal parts with plastic, leading to a shortened service life.

What exactly is wrong with your current steering rack?

[RickyS]

Matthew. Thanks for your reply.

The rack has usual symptoms. Stiff steering when car started from cold. Groaning noise when turning. Symptoms much worse in winter, not so bad now with the warmer weather. Symptoms disappear soon after starting up.

The rack does not leak.

I have considered rebuilding myself. I have the Service Manual, but it shows that you need special tools. It is possible that a rebuild could be done without any of the special tools, but I am not certain of that.

I am going to flush the system first and refill with new PS fluid. Read that this has worked for some.

I might post a new thread on rebuilding a rack and see if anyone else has advice to offer.

[Matthew]

Do you know what type of fluid is currently in the rack? If it's ATF then you may be able to get a few more years from the rack

[stew81]

Originally Posted by Matthew

You can get a rebuild rack from Power Steering Services in Greenwich for less than £100 delivered.
http://www.power-steering.co.uk/

No idea about their quality though.

Have you considered rebuilding the rack yourself? Might be worth looking into. The service manual has instructions. Some useful info here:
http://www.saabcentral.com/forums/sh...ad.php?t=78617

One criticism of rebuilt racks voiced here is the replacement of metal parts with plastic, leading to a shortened service life.

What exactly is wrong with your current steering rack?

They done my rack last week, came and collected the car and dropped it back the next day, £240 plus v.a.t. all seems good so far!!! (wheres that piece of wood!)

[RickyS]

Originally Posted by Matthew

Do you know what type of fluid is currently in the rack? If it's ATF then you may be able to get a few more years from the rack

Answer. Power steering fluid. It is not red ATF.

I have read threads about power steering fluid verses ATF. Why do you say if its ATF that I might get a few more years out of the rack? Why not so if it has power steering fluid?

[RickyS]

Originally Posted by stew81

They done my rack last week, came and collected the car and dropped it back the next day, £240 plus v.a.t. all seems good so far!!! (wheres that piece of wood!)

They were the only rebuilder that did not reply to my email asking for a price. Did they quote for supplying the rack only? I will have to give them a ring.

[stew81]

Originally Posted by RickyS

They were the only rebuilder that did not reply to my email asking for a price. Did they quote for supplying the rack only? I will have to give them a ring.

i contacted them by phone, i only asked for the quote for supply and fitment (dont really have the skill or the space to do it myself!) he knocked the price down when i said i was refered to them by my local garage.

[Matthew]

Originally Posted by RickyS

I have read threads about power steering fluid verses ATF. Why do you say if its ATF that I might get a few more years out of the rack? Why not so if it has power steering fluid?

Misunderstanding

I meant that, if the rack's currently full of ATF and you flush and swap to Saab PS fluid, then you'll may get more life from the rack (as Conor has). In other words, the ATF may be shortening the life of the rack.

Much debate over ATF vs. Saab fluid for the racks, and not everyone agrees.