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Caravan Rack & Pinion

MikeH on Thu May 07, 2009 10:18 AM User is offline

The seals on my wife's 1994 Caravan rack & pinion blew yesterday. Shopping around produced all kinds of prices.

O'Reilly - 133.99 (Cardone) + tax
AutoZone - 117.99 (Atsco) + tax
Garo Steering - 90.00 - 2 weeks to get online - they rebuild it.
Some were as high as 350.00 + shipping


Any suggestions as to source would be appreciated. Even though it costs more I am leaning towards O'Reily only because I have had good luck with their parts lasting for more than 5 minutes.

HECAT on Thu May 07, 2009 3:50 PM User is offline

The same reman supplier could be putting them in everyone's box. Seems I read a post on another sight regarding parts quality and it was specific to immediate multiple failures of replacement racks. The consensus did not identify a brand or store name with the best results, but rather the need to be sure it has a good warranty including labor reimbursement; because of the high probability that it would be needed. If you have had good luck with one vendor (good relationships always help when problems arise), I would go with them.

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HECAT: www.hecatinc.com You support the Forum when you consider www.ackits.com for your a/c parts.

FLUSHING TECHNICAL PAPER vs2.pdf 

MikeH on Fri May 08, 2009 9:27 AM User is offline

Thanks, Hecat. I settled on O'Reilly. I already have the rack out so would not have to pay a core charge - $100 - will pick it up this AM. Interesting reference - instructions calls for the removal of the "split bolt" which is not really a bolt but a split-pin which has to be driven out. Isn't terminology wonderful??

Voyager97 on Fri May 08, 2009 4:23 PM User is offlineView users profile

Hey Mike - been there, done that.

Swapped out the rack on my UK 1997 Grand Voyager. ain't that a beeeeetch of a job.

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Vic @ Pennine AutoChill

me4get on Fri May 08, 2009 9:40 PM User is offlineView users profile

Mine was just a slip fit to the steering column, but mine's a '89

Voyager97 on Sat May 09, 2009 2:38 PM User is offlineView users profile

Yeah, that bit is easy, as is removing the mounting bolts and unscrewing the innner tie rods (avoids disconnecting the balljoints at the wheels). My big problem was uncoupling the fluid lines from the top of the steering box - 18mm crowfoot wrenches are not readily available here in the UK.


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Vic @ Pennine AutoChill

MikeH on Sun May 10, 2009 12:35 PM User is offline

"18mm crowfoot wrenches" - wow!! Never heard it called that before - must be a Brit term - right?? Seriously though, it kind of looks like a crow's foot.

You can not buy an 18mm Flare wrench here either - that is - unless you special order it. I used a regular 18mm and hoped that the fittings were not too tight. As it was, found out that damn near every bolt was only finger tight. It's no wonder that the front end would not stay in alignment. Even the cross member bolts were not torqued - so - I was torqued about the torquing.

HECAT on Mon May 11, 2009 5:41 AM User is offline

crowfoot wrenches

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HECAT: www.hecatinc.com You support the Forum when you consider www.ackits.com for your a/c parts.

FLUSHING TECHNICAL PAPER vs2.pdf 

NickD on Mon May 11, 2009 7:43 AM User is offline

I have both an SAE and a metric set of crowfoot wrenches, been around for a long long time, only darn thing that can reach way in there you can't get a socket on. My metric set was made by TrueCraft, made in Japan, all even and odd integers between 10 through 19 mm, 3/8" drive and only about an 1/8" between the drive and the open end depth for really tight spaces. Very good for tube fittings for AC, brakes, and PS racks.

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