Had some issues for a while when after pulling the car off the trailer noticed what I thought was oil coming from the driver’s side, now originally I thought it was the remote mount for the oil cooler and filter but noticed the driver’s side steering boot was damaged.
The Passenger side one had been replaced when the car was last at Powerplay as when it came up for rego the car got knocked back because of play in the passenger side wheel, I thought this was the hubs but it ended up being a shagged relatively new Tein tie rod that had gone mainly because of the boot was damaged on the passenger side.
The passenger side boot was replaced along with a new tie rod and got it passed rego and the car hasn't done a lot since, now after noticing the oil leak on the weekend I bit the bullet and got a new boot for the driver’s side and pulled off the old one and noticed it was not oil from the motor but power steering fluid.
Decided then and there to pull the rack out and arrange to get it rebuilt.
When I pulled out the rack I noticed the new Kazama tie rod ends the passenger side one was bent, they have only been on the car for two track days and have shat themselves.
Ringing around on Monday rang Pedders @ Blacktown and they quoted me just under $800, after I picked up my jaw from the ground I have rung around and was speaking with Martin a member in the NSCC who suggested Mr Racks @ Unit 2/ 20 Tucks R Seven Hills which is next door to Unique Autos. They quoted me $350 for a reconditioned rack and actually had one there already to go when I went there but as I had the different strengthened tie rods and had to wait a little bit for the new ends they thought it best to just rebuild mine.
(Should have just taken the reconditioned one but no silly me, more on that later)
With the tie rod ends I had the Kazama ones and they are ****, doing some searching there is a wide variety of spherical bearing ends and in various metal and strength types.
Passenger Side One Bent
Driver Side One Ok but will still replace
I never really gave this much thought but it really makes a difference and when looking at aftermarket arms it is best to do some research as he difference is quiet large.
The prices vary as well with as much as $190.62 EA for ones from one Linear Bearings which are Motorsport Teflon lined stainless steel but Unique actually had a source for some good quality chrome molly Teflon lined ones for about $40 ea so am going to give these a try although have to wait up to 7 days which is a worry considering have to get the car ready for the June long weekend 8th @ Oran Park GP.
I can get the little booties to keep them warm and also the dirt out as much as possible which will be good.
Most of the ones I have seen are cast steel ones especially on the cheap arms going around, the best ones to get are the 410 stainless steel or Chrome moly steel that has been heat treated and plated both with the Teflon liner.
So back to the rack,
The rack was found to have some rust on the main shaft - this is a problem why?
When the shaft gets rust on it the surface is uneven and doesn't seal against the rubber seals on the ends and thus leaks. Usually caused by boots that have broken and leaked water into the rack though where the tie rods screw in.(now this does sound familiar)
One to note latter is to check your steering boots and make sure they are not broken, cracked or getting hard. If they are then best bet is to get some new boots and to re-grease the tie rods to avoid problems and costs like I have.
Because they had to now source another rack from Just Jap for $350 and then rebuild that (did not want to take the chance) all up it was $645 less cash discount which came down to $570.
Now to break the news to the wife....
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