My steering rack is worn, and is leaking ever-so-slightly or maybe even not at all. (it may be covered with other engine bodily fluids...) Anyhow, it doesn't even spot the driveway.

Today I priced out a rebuilt rack and it was $640, not bad considering, BUT then my mechanic said to replace it the book allocates it as a 12 HOUR JOB!!!

It certainly doesn't look that formidable from under the car. Do you have to remove the car from around it?

I may just leave it alone, replace the one cracked rubber boot and the worn tie rod ends and call it a day.

Any feedback from those who have "been there" would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

Any mechanic who requires 12 hours to replace an XJS steering rack must be missing an arm and a leg. I suppose that's how he can justify charging you for one of each.

 

That's what I thought too.

How long should a competent shop take to do the job?

 

Perhaps he misplaced the decimal point between the 1 and 2.

 

I'm thinking 5.5 was the old Mitchell time, which was generous.

 

The insurance adjuster book I have a copy of list the R&I time as 2.6 hours. That does not include alignment, etc.