Oh b*gger...

[julianhj]

Managed to catch some black ice on a large roundabout this morning. Span 180 and caught the kerb with the nearside wheels. Local garage reckons new steering rack required.

Thankfully I was in the Rover, not the Griff.

Anyone got any idea how much a new rack can cost? Is there a great deal of labour involved? I'm bricking it, and don't want to make a claim on the insurance.

Fecking weather...

[Simonelite501]

Bylabour involved? I assume you mean for you to do yourself , or are you another of these who never gets their hands dirty?
I have no Idea on a price, but there are plenty of rover spares dealers that will be a lot cheaper than OEM and fitting a steering rack is elementry, even a Power steering rack, should take a morning, at the absolute outside, therefore costing you the price of a rack and some PS fluid + tracking check/adjustment afterwards.

>> Edited by Simonelite501 on Thursday 9th January 21:21

[Simonelite501]

Right, a quick look on Google has thrown up new rac prices of £92.88 for a manual steering rack and £111.62 for a power steering rack, fit it your self and say a tenner for fluid, job done. Farm the job out and get stung for £40 per hour labour for 2-3 hours. Get in the garage man!

[julianhj]

Thanks Simon, as i say i was bricking it! The garage called whilst I was out of the office, and said to my colleague 'major damage' and 'very expensive' but only spoke of new steering rack. It was basically a fairly minor bang to the wheels, the kerb was gently sloped and about 4 inches high. Hoping there's not more to it...

I'm going to get a couple of proper quotes - not nearly technical enough to do it myself unfortunately.

Where did you get the parts prices from?

Thanks again,

Julian

edited to say colleague said garage in question was done by trading standards last year, so to be taken with pinch of salt. Steering definitely not right, regardless...

>> Edited by julianhj on Thursday 9th January 21:42

[Simonelite501]

Hi Julian, the steering rack quotes came from www.sales.bestofbritishrover,btinternet.co.uk to which I have no assosiation oor interests of any kind. I would be suprised if just kerbing the wheel would cause terminal damage to the rack, but you never know. If i were me, my first port of call would be the local Quick fit or equivelent, to have the tracking checked/ajusted. They will either fix it there and then or tell you that your steering rack is buggered, they don't, as far as I know, don't supply/fit racks and so would have nothing to gain through bullshit. If the rack is actually nailed, the prices quoted aren't telephone numbers, but the fitting may be, find a back street garage,rather than a main dealer, and get them to do the job if money is an issue. Pity your not anywhere near me, I'd do it for a drink Best of luck, let me know what the outcomne is, Simon.

[Simonelite501]

That last link didn't work! Hope this ones better, I am a wizard with mechanical things but these bloody puter thingies! AAArghh! www.sales.bestofbritishrover.btinternet.co.uk

Yeah that one works, click on catalogues then on 600 series et volia!

>> Edited by Simonelite501 on Thursday 9th January 22:16

[mondeoman]

Gotta say that just kerbing it is unlikely to nail the rack unless it was close to knackered anyway.

I'd go for the Kwickfit tracking thing first .......