Thread: power steering rack or pump going bad?

Don't be so quick to install a new rack.

At 52,000 miles, I started experiencing harder steering and some power steering rack noise (but no loss of power steering fluid) after the car was running at least 20 minutes (this was with the original, factory installed rack). Based on the advice of a reputable mechanic, I had a remanufactured rack installed.

In hindsight, I wish I had flushed the system and used a product such as Lucas Oil Power Steering Fluid with Conditioners and put many more miles on the car and waited to see if there was any improvement before making the decision to have the rack replaced.

The remanufactured rack that was installed was an A-1 Cardone and, after only 24,000 miles, it has started leaking. I am going to have it replaced with a remanufactured and supposedly top shelf "Original Equipment" ACDelco unit - see my post here:

http://www.grandprixforums.net/threa...ecommendations

I do a lot of my own maintenance and repairs but installing a rack is too ambitious for me (it would be different if all the work could be done from the top side of the engine compartment instead of having to lay under the car and lower the subframe). The standard book rate for installing a rack on a Grand Prix is four hours of labor which includes a fluid bleed/flush and wheel alignment, although based on what I have read it actually only takes 1.5 to 2 hours for an experienced mechanic to install the rack and flush the system.

The mechanic I currently use lets me bring in my own parts. If I purchase a rack from him at retail, it will be an ATSCO with a 240% mark-up over wholesale. However, I was able to get the ACDelco original equipment rack and what I believe to be much higher quality than the ATSCO for half the Rock Auto wholesale price.

Is it absolutely necessary to lower the sub frame? The front away bar is shot also. It's no longer attached on the driver side so I'll probably be replacing that at the same time.
I ask because I have read that it is necessary to lower the back of the sub frame. But I also read one case where they didn't lower it but removed the front away instead. But I believe that was on an Impala. Would this be do able on a GP?
Is there a how-to on replacing a rack?
Are there different power steer racks/systems? I have read some people talking about magnasteer and another system I believe. Maybe not? Hopefully someone can help straighten this out for me.
I'm debating between a new unit or a remanufactured unit right now. Any suggestions?
Thanks in advance.

I'd try the power steering flush with the lucas before pulling the trigger on a rack replacement.. I had a terrible whine coming from the power steering pump, and steering at a low speed or parked was starting to require more force turning the wheel. I flushed the system and added lucas, two weeks later the pump is silent and steering is near effortless! That stuff works great.

I asked the mechanic who is installing the rack tomorrow on my 2003 SE about lowering the subframe. He said the bolts do not have to be completely removed, just loosened enough to lower the subframe to get enough clearance to remove the rack. Of course, he'll have the car up on a lift which makes doing the work much easier than doing it on jack stands like us backyard mechanics.

http://www.grandprixforums.net/threa...-Steering-Rack

2005 Grand Prix
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-KGGUArmZg

Regarding replacement racks. There really is no such thing as a "new" meaning brand new and unused rack. All the replacement racks that are available today are remanufactured, and the quality and what is actually performed as part of the rebuild process seems to vary based on the re-manufacturer and the price paid.

I'm a newbie to this forum and there are plenty of others who have actually installed racks and can give you more informed opinions. However, if you haven't looked at my other post regarding replacement rack recommendations, I encourage you to do so.

http://www.grandprixforums.net/threa...ecommendations