Thanks for those who answered my earlier questions regarding CAM v ZF. I appreciate the guidance given to steer clear of the ebay because of some inconsistencies. Would you be ok with purchasing a steering rack from Auto Zone? They have them for about $200. Any input is appreciated. Brian

No, I will second the Jorgen rebuild though.
Charles

In general, I try to avoid buying parts from the discount places (Autozone/Advance). Pay a bit more (in some cases, a good deal more) and get something you know has a good chance of being reliable for the long-term from someone who specializes in European car parts. I can't speak specifically about the steering rack, but I do know of LOTS of people who have had problems with rebuilt components from the discount places. Their rebuilders are clearly focused on quantity and cost, rather than quality.

The last rebuilt component I personally bought from one of the discount stores was a starter for my A2 Jetta (bought it from Autozone). From the start, it would sometimes start the car fine, but other times it would crank slowly. Within less than 100 miles, it started sporadically failing to stop spinning, so I would be driving down the road with the starter motor spinning, even though the gear was not engaged with the flywheel.

Spend more up front, and do the job once. Or spend less and run a big risk of repeating the job.

I agree with you. I believe their "lifetime" warranty is a gamble they win consistently, betting the average customer will patch up his beater and move on before the quality is exposed for what it is, and those few that do return things will soon learn the game, realizing the multiple installation costs exceed any discounts they received.

Someone in business to repair cars would shop elsewhere, as callbacks waste the original labor, the second-repair time, and any goodwill they may have garnered.
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Art Benstein near Baltimore

Wisdom comes with age, but sometimes age comes alone.

I have not purchased their rack but I have purchased their brake calipers.The reason being they come with a lifetime warranty.Free replacements!So I would do it if it came with the same lifetime warranty.I figured I keep my cars for a while so get the free replacements.I bought calipers from FCP and if they go bad it is my problem not theirs.Autozone is closer so no shipping charges.

Buy it from these guys:
http://www.jorgenauto.com/index.html

$214, Put one on my 740 years ago, still works great.


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84 242Ti IPD bars&springs, 89 745 16v M46 IPD bars, 89 744 16v M46 IPD bars, 90 745 AW70, 91 245SE AW70 IPD bars, 93 245 CLassic M47

Too recent to give a longevity review, but everything about my Jorgen swap in November was A-OK.


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Art Benstein near Baltimore

Duct tape is like 'The Force'. It has a light side and a dark side, and it holds the universe together.

Being in Winston-Salem, NC, I don't do Autozone... they don't speak English and give me the wrong parts. When I go back to return the wrong parts, I get "No Habla" and they won't refund my money. I've had much better luck with Advance Auto.

jorrell
ps. It really ticks me off that I have to learn Spanish to buy car parts... that would by my fourth friggin' language! Is this still America?
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92 245 250K miles, IPD'd to the hilt, 06 XC70, 00 Eclipse custom Turbo setup...currently taking names and kicking reputations!

That is awfully cheap for a steering rack. A trusted local Volvo shop here in Austin quoted me $375 for a reman a few months ago. If you are going to AutoZone you'd be better off buying Lucas Power Steering Leak stop, which works. Costs $10 bucks and probably works better than a $200 steering rack from AutoZone.

i had to do a rack replacement on an old mercury sable. definetely not the same vehicle but....the rack was purchased from autozone and it was fine. I wouldnt hesitate on it. another source you might try is rockauto.com they have pretty good prices.

Whatever you do, don't get an A-1 Cardone rack. Pure junk.

I would rather have a genuine Volvo rack out of the junkyard than most of the "rebuilt" units that are being offered by the industry these days.

I bought one from eEuroparts.com about 10 years ago and it was a rebuilt unit that worked very well. Just make sure you replace with the correct unit (ZF or Cam gear), because the power steering hose placement is different, so is the gear box diameter.
just a thought.....