Reconditioned Steering Racks

[master_oogwai]

Last year in April, I had a leak from the steering rack (also made a horrible screeching sound on full lock) and the car was towed to my local VW garage by the AA who replaced it. It cost me over 1K in total to have it replaced. Yesterday, I took the car into a garage as the car was juddering at the front of the end whenever I go over uneven grounds. Apparently, the top mounts were shot, so they were replaced.

While the car was up in the air, the mechanic noticed the steering rack was leaking again and told me to take it back to VW as the steering rack should still be under warranty. I took the car back to the dealership this morning and they said they will check it over for me.

I was wondering, if, for any reason they come back to me to say they are not willing to fix under warranty, I am going to take the car somewhere else. Really don't fancy paying over 1K again.

Anyone know where I would be able to buy a reconditioned steering rack for a reasonable price? how much would a non VW garage charge roughly to fit it?

Thanks.

[Rhyso]

VW has a 2 year parts and labour warranty so they shouldn't reject it 

I think Steve and Rich bought their racks from Ebay?? Might have been around £150 for a reconditioned one; not sure if you then send them your old one 

Steve has probably now done over 40K on the steering rack and his car is lowered so all seems well.

[master_oogwai]

VW has a 2 year parts and labour warranty so they shouldn't reject it 

I think Steve and Rich bought their racks from Ebay?? Might have been around £150 for a reconditioned one; not sure if you then send them your old one 

Steve has probably now done over 40K on the steering rack and his car is lowered so all seems well.

That is good to hear, thanks Rhyso 

I almost fell over when they gave me the bill last year. Took me months to pay it off 

[Rhyso]

VW has a 2 year parts and labour warranty so they shouldn't reject it 

I think Steve and Rich bought their racks from Ebay?? Might have been around £150 for a reconditioned one; not sure if you then send them your old one 

Steve has probably now done over 40K on the steering rack and his car is lowered so all seems well.

That is good to hear, thanks Rhyso 

I almost fell over when they gave me the bill last year. Took me months to pay it off 

No probs    As they fitted it you get the 2 years and not just the standard 12 months on the parts 

[Steve_PD]

As Rhys said I got mine of ebay for £125 and fitted it my self its about 5 hours work so a garage would cost £250-300 ish. mines done well over 40k now and had no problems (touch wood)

[master_oogwai]

As Rhys said I got mine of ebay for £125 and fitted it my self its about 5 hours work so a garage would cost £250-300 ish. mines done well over 40k now and had no problems (touch wood)

I wish I had the skills to do something like that myself.

I'm still waiting for news from VW. I am wondering why they need the car for two days, if you can change it in 5 hours??

It was the same last year.

[richw911]

Mine came from a local parts dealer - Recon £115 IIRC 

Has been fine for few years now 

[Steve_PD]

As Rhys said I got mine of ebay for £125 and fitted it my self its about 5 hours work so a garage would cost £250-300 ish. mines done well over 40k now and had no problems (touch wood)

I wish I had the skills to do something like that myself.

I'm still waiting for news from VW. I am wondering why they need the car for two days, if you can change it in 5 hours??

It was the same last year.

done it with my old man so cant take all the credit if you got the tools it aint all that hard and the only way to learn is to have a go yourself

[master_oogwai]

Just received a call from VW.

The car does require a new steering rack, but they 'will not' replace it under warranty as the cause was my lowered suspension.

Does this sound about right?

Guess, I will need to scour ebay for a reconditioned one 

[Rhyso]

I think that's ruddy harsh!

How low is your car??  You might want to point out that other cars, like Steve's whose car is lowered around 60-70mm, has done significant mileage on reconditioned racks without any problems.

I wouldn't accept their answer and fight them to replace it under warranty.