Failure of this vehicle component is fraught not only with problems in movement and lack of comfort, but also with danger for the driver and passengers. Quality repair or complete replacement of the rack are the only options that will help fix the situation.
Steering rack and symptoms of its aging
The variety of car models and types has nevertheless given rise to fairly universal steering rack models. Initially rigid control systems, including the mechanical rack, were gradually replaced by more modern and lighter ones due to additional power assist. Racks with hydraulic power steering and electric power steering appeared. Their undoubted advantage is much more comfortable vehicle control, safety, and a long service life. However, there are also weak points here: failures can occur not only in the mechanical part, made of steel and vulnerable to corrosion and dust. It is much worse if the hydraulic booster (on a rack with power steering) or the electronic unit (on a rack with electric power steering) fails.
If the car is new, the probability that the steering rack will serve faithfully for more than 10 years is quite high, but the older the "iron horse", the more likely the rack will suffer from wear of individual parts, seal failure, or damage to electronics. The owner may encounter some characteristic symptoms of malfunction in the control system.
Among the most common signs of malfunction are the following:
• rack knocking or sharp grinding;
• loss of signal from the steering wheel to the wheels;
• difficult or, conversely, very easy rotation of the steering wheel;
• leakage (if the rack has power steering).
Steering rack failures are eliminated at specialized service stations, as they require thorough diagnostics. The mechanism includes many parts, and it is problematic to figure out on your own what exactly has failed. Therefore, there is only one way out – contact specialists.
New original, refurbished, or used rack
Unfortunately, when it comes to malfunction of hydraulics or electronics, the question of complete rack replacement may arise. And this news is not pleasant, because the cost of a new original rack starts from 500 dollars. But there is always a choice: besides buying a new part, you can purchase a refurbished or used rack – this will save at least half of the specified amount.
Non-original, so-called aftermarket spare parts are in quite high demand. First of all, the price speaks in their favor – the purchase amount will be two or even three times less than for the original. Quality, of course, may differ. The main difference will be in the manufacturer's name and the quality of the parts and components used.
Let's take an example
Let's look at prices for new and used steering racks for Mazda 6 (GH) 2007-2012 in the table:
From the table, we see that a new original steering rack costs 54138.24 UAH. At the same time, it is not in stock and needs to be ordered, and what the final price will be after delivery of the bulky item is unknown. The warranty will be 1 year, but only if the steering rack is installed at an official Mazda station.
Often car owners are sure that a used steering rack bought at an auto dismantling yard will save their family budget. In the table, we see that the price of a used steering rack for Mazda 6 (GH) starts from 5000 UAH. But from practice, the purchase procedure at a dismantling yard is not simple:
• time and money are lost on delivery costs from the dismantling yard to the service station;
• the warranty is usually up to 14 days, and with electric units even less;
• if the steering rack is not working, then all costs, both logistical and related to installation of the unit, fall on the car owner;
Now let's consider the option of a refurbished steering rack. The cost is presented in the range from 9600 UAH to 15803 UAH. The warranty can be up to six months.
What Ukravtohydraulika offers is high-quality refurbished steering racks at a price from 9600 UAH with a six-month warranty without mileage restrictions! If repair of such a steering rack is possible, the price can drop to 6000 UAH.
This is what a used steering rack looks like, and this is how it looks after restoration at Ukravtohydraulika:
This is one of the most reliable options – purchasing a refurbished rack. Since a certain number of failures are successfully eliminated during repair, you can really buy, albeit not new, but a perfectly working refurbished original rack with a warranty. It is better to do this not at a "dismantling yard", where no one will say exactly in what condition the disassembled parts come to them, but at our station. Here the rack goes through stages of full diagnostics, is carefully inspected and refurbished, and then tested on a special stand simulating vehicle loads. A refurbished steering rack will cost a little more than a used one, but in this situation you can be sure that you have purchased a working part that will serve for several years guaranteed.
Last advice: before going to buy any of the above options, consult with a specialist. After examining your car, he will be able to give a professional recommendation and offer the optimal solution to the problem. To do this, contact our company Ukravtohydraulika by phone, email, or using the order form on our website remont-reek.com.ua
