Power Steering Rack & Pinion "shot"

And for my first post....

A local shop says my rack & Pinion is "shot" and they were not able to complete my alignment. I got a quote for a Napa rack & pinion for a little more than $500 plus bushings, labor, etc. Isn't there a Core price that should be adjusted when they turn in my old rack & pinion? Did they just fail to mention this?


Anyone know a good shop in Colorado Springs?

Thanks in advance.

 

yes there is usually a core charge, look it up on napaonline.com

 

How many miles are on your truck?

 

It depends on if you are getting a new or a remanufactured one. When I buy a new part for a customer, be it a rack and pinion, or an alternator, or whatever, I don't have a core charge. That being said, when I quote a repair to a customer, I don't mention the core charge, because it does not affect the amount I bill my customer. I base my markup only on the cost of the part, never the core charge, as I get the core charge back.

 

how do you know they aren't just telling you it's shot to make a buck off you.

 

ya cause the bushings go out on our steering racks a lot actually. You can get the bushings from Wheelers for like 20 bucks. Bitch to install but do able.

 

I have 219,000 miles on the truck so I'm guessing the rack & pinion is worn out. I get the shop marks up parts, my company does the same thing, but when I go to Napa's website and the most expensive rack & pinion is $282 and a $222 core price it just seems like I'm paying for the core and the shop gets the core credit when they turn it back in.

My truck has been bomber proof. This is the first part I've had to replace because of failure besides breaks. I don't have a "favorite" shop since I haven't needed work. Any national chain shops I need to stay away from?

Thanks for the help guys.

 

I had my rack and pinion replaced at Larry H Miller in CO Springs when I had my timing belt and water pump replaced. They seemed to have done a pretty good job, but it was about $1000 for just the rack and pinion! And I went with the cheaper remanufactured parts instead of toyota OEM replacement, which they said would save me around $200 I believe. I was going to change it myself, but with traveling for work and since it was already in the shop, I just had them do it.

 

Your repair shop should not be charging you for the core. that is considered poor business practice. It depends also on where they get their parts. Maybe you found a matching R&P at Napa, but the shop doesn't buy cheap napa parts, but uses a distributor with a higher quality, hence higher priced, unit. I try to find my customers the best deal I can, but I'm not going to call 40 different part suppliers to do this. I go with the suppliers that give me the best deal. (best deal as in good price for quality parts. I will pay more for quality parts)

$500 for the parts, including bushings and labor is a good deal.