Hi Guys,

Looks like I have a bent Steering Rack and Pinion. Everything was fine until I had my car towed on a flatbed and I whole hearty believe they did it since the car had it after they towed it. Too late to do much about it now.

Any ways, I need to replace the assembly and just wanted to make sure I'm ordering the correct parts.

I see the Rack and Pinion assembly on Ebay here:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/03-06-Infini...item5ae1df8f4b

Is this the correct one to order? I heard I should also replace the Tie Rods? I see some aftermarket ones like this:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-INNER-TIE-...item3a631514c3

Also, I see the TEIN here:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/TEIN-TRS01-P...item43a8820960

Does it make a difference if I get the former (and cheaper) one above? Do I need anything else? Thanks for your guys help!

 

It's remanafactured to fit an 2003-2006 Infinity.... LOL

 

Hey...no laughing on the forums! It looks like the correct part to me. Question is, is it even possible to bend the Assembly and still be able to drive? Well, the stealership said it was bent.

 

They will tell u just about anything so u spend money!!

 

ha ha sorry! um, I guess if it's a slight bend you could? don't think you can bend the rack itself, perhaps the ends mabye, you be driving like my dog walks.... sideways

 

Well, I do feel like there is something wrong with the steering ever since I drove the car after the tow. The steering wheel isn't centered and and it does feel a little weird too. OK, so I guess the real question is, is the Rack and Pinion Assembly and Tie Rods the only thing I need to order? Also, are the links I posted the correct ones? Thanks guys!

 

PM AARONHL. He just replaced his rack twice and should have some good insight for you.

 

Thanks. I PM'ed him. I wonder if I should go with a 2 year warranty or a lifetime warranty and pay 33% more.

 

Hey thanks for the PM, I'm going to post the reply here.

The eBay steering rack and pinion will work. I bought mine from BuyAutoParts on eBay, it has a 3 year warranty and their technical support is pretty good (during my one phone call and info they have on their website). I think it's $10 more...it's up to you. Keep in mind they charge for the core and will refund it once you send it back. I have to check to see if I ever got that refund. Hahaha

The eBay steering rack should already come with the inner tie rods, as pictured, mine came with the inner tie rods. No need to "upgrade" to any of the other brands of inner tie rods because the OEM remanufactured are sufficient. You might want to consider reusing your current outer tie rods since the steering rack does not include them. Check the condition of your current outer tie rods, it's a ball joint, so you might need to replace those anyway. I would still stick with OEM outer tie rods.

So to complete the installation you will need:

Steering Rack (includes inner tie rods)
Outer Tie Rods (can reuse existing)
1qt of Automatic Transmission Fluid or Power Steering Fluid
String/rope to tie steering wheel

Did you crash your car? I don't think a tow would damage the steering rack. Is your steering rack leaking or show signs of a dried leak?

What exactly is bent? I hit a curb causing the driver side outer tie rod ball joint to break and the inner tie rod was extremely bent I couldn't even drive the car. They basically had to drag it up the flat bed. I replaced the inner and outer tie rods on each side, but something still felt wrong. About a year later I hit a pot hole and my steering was so loose it forced me to look into replacing the rack. I replaced it and the car feels new again. I should have replaced the steering rack a while ago because I think the curb impact busted it back then.

 

Wow, thanks for the info!

Well, I don't know what is exactly bent since the Stealership just said "Bent". I do know it feels weird driving and I just got new tires and it is eating the inside of my front tires already Everything was fine until I got a flat rear tire and had to TOW it back to the house since I forgot the lug nut key. I drove on the spare back to my place (about 40 miles away) and immediatly the steering wheel was not centered. I never crashed my car or hit a curb. I have hit potholes but then again, this only happened after I had the car towed. There is no leakage and the fluid is full. I have no idea how it could get bent other than it happened after being towed.

OK, I see this one:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-OEM-INFI...item43ac2d187f

It's right near me and they will deliver it too. It has 2 years warranty so I think it should suffice? Also, since the Stealership said it was bent, I'm not sure I can get a core credit back. Thanks for the info about the inner tie rods. Since I haven't received any info from the folks I PM'ed about fixing this, I think I will take it to Corner 3 Garage near my house, in Lake Forest, CA. Thanks for the help!

 

Where did you tie the strap to the car when you were towing it? If it was tied to the tie rod, then I guess it might be possible to ruin the steering rack. Still wondering if it's just the inner tie rod that's bent...maybe you should just replace the whole rack.

I just spoke to Mike @ BuyAutoParts asking when I will be refunded the core charge. They said I wouldn't be refunded the core charge because I wasn't charged for it in the eBay auction. I told them it clearly states that I will be refunded a core charge. He reviewed the auction and said, "Sorry for the miscommunication, I will refund the core today and give you a $25 discount on another purchase of $100 or more." Sounds good to me!

 

I may order from them then I am taking my car to Corner 3 Garage and having them take a look at it too. They said it is strange that the Stealership would say it is bent too. We'll see what they say. Thanks for all the help again. Maybe it is just the Tie Rods...*fingers crossed*

 

I have seen tie rods bend, a steering rack would leak if it wasn't good anymore. You can't see the inside of the steering rack without taking it all apart, and it would never look bent from the outside. You can easily replace inner tie rods.

 

Well, so after all is said and done...this is what happened:

Looks like the it was just the inner tie rod (driver side). I went to Corner 3 Garage in Lake forest and they diagnosed it and said as long as there is no leak, it is most probably just the inner tie rod. They replaced the one tie rod. I also had to get another alignment afterwards too. Now, it drives just fine. I have to now try and get reimbursed for my espenses from the TOW company...but that is a different story.

 

Well that's good, and if they hooked the tow strap to the tie rod it might have bent!!