need opinions on which steering rack i should buy

[Guest TurboSedan]

i've decided to replace the steering rack in my Turbo Cutlass.

 

i'm not actually having any problems with it, but:

 

- it has ~240,000 miles and is probably due for replacement to say the least

- they come with new inner tierods so i wouldn't have to buy those separately if i did keep the current rack

- i've already replaced damn near everything else that has to do with the suspension & brakes so why not?

- i just bought a 34mm front sway bar and installing it will be ALOT easier when i remove the old rack

 

i've been looking around at prices and came down to two options:

 

rockauto.com:

 

GM ACDelco - $196.69/shipped without core

 

pros:

- more trustworthy brand IMO

- listed as "low ratio" with 2 & 3/4 turns lock-to-lock

- includes pressure switch

- i'm ordering GM ACDelco outer tierods from rockauto.com anyway which will save me some money on shipping.

 

cons:

- $55 core charge and i would be responsible for shipping the core back, which may not be worth the hassle

- costs $23.70 more (which i could probably make up for if i did send the core back to them)

- i'd have to wait for it

- warranty problems would suck since they are an online business

 

 

Checker:

 

Cardone - $172.99 with core

 

pros:

- costs $23.70 less

- it's probably in stock and i could look it over first & pick it up immediately

- returning the core wouldn't be a problem since they are local

- dealing with a warranty problem would be alot easier since Checker is local.

 

cons:

- questionable brand quality - i'd really rather prefer a GM ACDelco part.

- no info given on steering ratio or # of turns lock-to-lock

- doesn't say whether pressure switch is included or not

 

anyone have any feedback on the Cardone brand or any other advice or suggestions?

 

thanks

 

[GutlessSupreme]

I'm kind of in this boat now too.. I had originally bought new tie rods for the STE but ended up throwing them on the Cutlass. After I had initially bought them I was tossing around the idea of replacing the whole 154k rack but decided not to since I already bought new tierods/ends/boots. Now that the tierods/ends are gone, I wouldn't be wasting a set if I bought a whole new rack..

 

I don't mind paying the money for a GM rack, my main concern is getting the proper TGP-ratio rack. For me this is more a question of are the GM racks build of grab-bin parts (could have whatever ratio without any real way to know) or are they actually distinctive from one-another?

[Guest TurboSedan]

I'm kind of in this boat now too.. I had originally bought new tie rods for the STE but ended up throwing them on the Cutlass. After I had initially bought them I was tossing around the idea of replacing the whole 154k rack but decided not to since I already bought new tierods/ends/boots. Now that the tierods/ends are gone, I wouldn't be wasting a set if I bought a whole new rack..

 

I don't mind paying the money for a GM rack, my main concern is getting the proper TGP-ratio rack. For me this is more a question of are the GM racks build of grab-bin parts (could have whatever ratio without any real way to know) or are they actually distinctive from one-another?

 

according to rockauto.com the GM ACDelco "low ratio 2.75 turns lock-to-lock" rack was the same part # for both a "1990 Grand Prix McLaren" and "1996 Cutlass Supreme SL" application. i seriously doubt you can get a real TGP specific steering rack unless you order a brand new one from the GM dealer...if they're even available.

 

i don't really care too much about steering ratio or # of turns lock-to-lock myself. i like the steering feel in my Cutlass just fine right now and that is an FE1 car. my old TSTE definately felt like it had stiffer/heavier steering feel to it, which i liked just fine too so it really doesn't matter to me.

 

 

[mfewtrail]

Josh, 2.75 turns lock to lock = FE1 rack, that's what was originally in my '93 SE. It didn't feel too bad from what I remember, but I prefer the even lower ratio racks myself. I have a 2.5 turn lock to lock rack in it now that came from a low mileage GTP in a junkyard.

 

http://steeringrack.com/product_info.php/cPath/1/products_id/3808

 

That place was posted in a thread not too long ago. I'd go for that 2.5 turn rack they offer. The price isn't that bad after you send your old rack in and get your core back.

 

Also, I haven't had any problems w/ the cardone racks. I've installed four of them in various cars and they're all doing fine.

[Guest TurboSedan]

http://steeringrack.com/product_info.php/cPath/1/products_id/3808

 

That place was posted in a thread not too long ago. I'd go for that 2.5 turn rack they offer. The price isn't that bad after you send your old rack in and get your core back.

 

kick ass. that comes to $155.95 total with shipping after i send them the core back. the manufacturer is listed as "chevrolet" so does that mean it's a reman'd GM Z34 rack or is it just some unknown brand rack for a chevrolet application? and are inner tierods included? i guess i'll have to call them and ask about it.

 

anyone here ever order from them? after my botched order from car-stuff.com i'm a little hesitant ot order from places i haven't done business with.

[mfewtrail]

 

kick ass. that comes to $155.95 total with shipping after i send them the core back. the manufacturer is listed as "chevrolet" so does that mean it's a reman'd GM Z34 rack or is it just some unknown brand rack for a chevrolet application? and are inner tierods included? i guess i'll have to call them and ask about it.

 

anyone here ever order from them? after my botched order from car-stuff.com i'm a little hesitant ot order from places i haven't done business with.

 

Inner tie rods are included without a doubt, all racks include them. The "manufacturer" just refers to the car maker, the racks are probably aftermarket, but I suppose they could possibly be remanufactured OEM units anyways.

Here's the thread where I found that link, that guy that mentioned replacing his rack could have ordere from them...I'd pm him.

 

http://www.w-body.com/forum/index.php/topic,38587.0.html

[GOT2B GM]

I would buy the new ACD unit, because I trust the brand, and they give you all the specs and whats included.

[19Cutlass94]

Maybe its just me, but why bother replacing something that still works and your not having problems with it? It just seems like a waste of time/money to me. I mean sure it might be old, and have many miles on it, but if it aint broke, dont fix it IMHO.

 

 

If you absolutly have to, Id go with the AC Delco.

[Guest TurboSedan]

I would buy the new ACD unit, because I trust the brand, and they give you all the specs and whats included.

 

yeah but the rack in the link Matt listed is 2.5 turns lock-to-lock, which i guess i'd prefer given the choice (though like i said it's not that big of a deal to me). it's also like $40 cheaper. but i DO really prefer the ACDelco brand.

[Guest TurboSedan]

Maybe its just me, but why bother replacing something that still works and your not having problems with it? It just seems like a waste of time/money to me. I mean sure it might be old, and have many miles on it, but if it aint broke, dont fix it IMHO.

 

 

If you absolutly have to, Id go with the AC Delco.

 

i hear ya, but then again it's not going to last forever even if it isn't giving me problems right now. and installing my 34mm front sway bar would be so much easier.

[kuntzie]

can we get non power strreing racks in a w-body? (sorry to drift off topic a little) like does the 2.5 or whatever luminas have a non power steering rack?

[Guest TurboSedan]

i don't know why you'd want one, since the W-body is just too heavy of a car for no power steering. it would suck to drive around town.

[19Cutlass94]

well less weight because you have no PS pumps or lines, more power because you dont have the drag of the PS pump on the engine........

[Guest TurboSedan]

ROFL?

[GP1138]

can we get non power strreing racks in a w-body? (sorry to drift off topic a little) like does the 2.5 or whatever luminas have a non power steering rack?

 

Have you ever tried to steer a W at <10mph with the engine stalled? It blows.

[19Cutlass94]

ROFL?

 

[kuntzie]

i know its not good at low speeds... i was curious is all as to the availability of them

[GutlessSupreme]

i know its not good at low speeds... i was curious is all as to the availability of them

 

nada. All Ws have power steering.

 

ROFL?

 

x2 :lol:

[pwmin]

if i have time after work and can remember, i will check on alldata and PAM (kinda like factory motor parts) at my dad's shop and get a pn for a TGP and GTP rack. mine is 2.5 lock-to-lock. i have heard that tgp's are lower ratio, too, but i guess no one thats said that has confirmed this.

[5speedz34]

I've heard the TGP's are 2.25 lock-lock.

 

Personally if you are that worried about getting the TGP rack go to the dealer.

[Guest TurboSedan]

I've heard the TGP's are 2.25 lock-lock.

 

Personally if you are that worried about getting the TGP rack go to the dealer.

 

nah, like i said i'd be happy with the same (2.75 lock-to-lock i think) rack that came in my Cutlass originally. i just want to replace it because it has really high miles, and it will make installing my 34mm bar alot easier. although if i can get a 2.5 or even 2.25 rack then i'll buy it instead.

[mfewtrail]

if i have time after work and can remember, i will check on alldata and PAM (kinda like factory motor parts) at my dad's shop and get a pn for a TGP and GTP rack. mine is 2.5 lock-to-lock. i have heard that tgp's are lower ratio, too, but i guess no one thats said that has confirmed this.

 

Paul, I'll check on my TGP again and see how many actual turns there are.

 

I know there are 3.0 turns, 2.75 turns, & 2.5 turn racks for 100% sure. The 3.0 and 2.75 are in certain FE1 cars(my parent's '94 Regal has the 3.0 turn rack and my cousins '92 Grand Prix has the 2.75 rack for example).

[GutlessSupreme]

That thread on the first page lists the TGP part number.. GMPD doesn't come up with anything but maybe a dealer can find a few stray racks in a warehouse somewhere. Most likely discontinued.