used steering rack shopping -- gen I or gen II?

Discussion in 'Generation 1 Prius Discussion' started by bjustin, Mar 23, 2010.

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  1. bjustin

    bjustin New Member

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    hi folks,

    I'm finally close to deciding which used rack to buy but wanted to get your opinion.

    It is suggested to avoid cars with front end damage and 01 or 02 racks.

    I have found 3 candidates with autocheck records:

    03 rack: VIN check: "salvage: possible total loss"
    02 rack: 1..."minor front end/rear end damage...2 "accident"
    03 rack: "salvage: possible total loss"

    Can you suggest which you think is best? I can send you more details about the autocheck reports if you like.

    The 02 has 2 separate records of "minor damage" and "accident" and sounds like a good bet (gentle wreck?) but I'm hesitant to buy it because of its known weaknesses, albeit better than 01.

    penny for your thoughts...
     
    #1 bjustin, Mar 23, 2010
  2. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    The problem is going to be whether or not any of the linkages tied to the rack and pinon are bent or damaged. In your case, a rear-ended car would be the best bet.

    Any photos of the cars?

    Bob Wilson
     
    #2 bwilson4web, Mar 23, 2010
  3. jk450

    jk450 New Member

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    Make sure the vendor will exchange your rack if it doesn't work.

    Make sure they have another one in stock. Otherwise, you may have to wait for the replacement.
     
    #3 jk450, Mar 23, 2010
  4. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    What is the price of these salvage units?

    Looks like a new one has an MSRP of $2,513 and you can buy it for $1,910 plus shipping here: Champion ToyotaWorld
     
    #4 Patrick Wong, Mar 23, 2010
  5. jk450

    jk450 New Member

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    As a guide, $300 is typical, although they sometimes run $100 or less.
     
    #5 jk450, Mar 23, 2010
  6. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    Excellent, from who? I'll be happy to call and get a quote. Do you have one?

    Bob Wilson
     
    #6 bwilson4web, Mar 23, 2010
  7. jk450

    jk450 New Member

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    There are many vendors who offer used racks in that range. It's not a hard part to find.

    Actually, one can find dozens of listings, with prices, using a simple online search.

    It took me just a few minutes to find them.
     
    #7 jk450, Mar 24, 2010
  8. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    Computers have a "cut and paste" function. So take that hand and post the results here. Then we can give them a call and get a quote. More importantly, we can find the other costs not evident in the $100-300 earlier claim.

    Bob Wilson
     
    #8 bwilson4web, Mar 24, 2010
  9. bjustin

    bjustin New Member

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    Thanks guys. That helps. I'd like to take a roadtrip to the bay area in mid April, so I'm hoping to get this new rack in soon to see how it works. I've been driving with the violent shudder since December.

    guess I'll shop around as JK40 suggests. My Prius is an 02'. Would you suggest an 03' rack?
     
    #9 bjustin, Mar 24, 2010
  10. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    You might consider raising the front and going in from the driver side looking for the power connector to steering assist motor so it won't be fighting you. Alternatively, find the steering ECU and do what Daryl did, cut it and splice in a switch. Turning off power to the steering ECU will raise a code but you'll have a manual steering Prius until the steering assembly is replaced.

    Bob Wilson
     
    #10 bwilson4web, Mar 24, 2010
  11. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    The newer, the better.

    Here's a 2002 w/96K miles for $60.
    01 02 03 PRIUS STEERING GEAR/RACK POWER RACK PINION : eBay Motors (item 120544711015 end time Apr-16-10 10:48:24 PDT)

    Another 2002 w/122K miles for $116.
    2002 TOYOTA PRIUS POWER STEERING GEAR : eBay Motors (item 370351870655 end time Apr-17-10 14:41:34 PDT)

    Although the prices are great, I wouldn't suggest buying either one unless your intent was to promptly sell the car after you had replaced the steering gear.

    This is why I was wondering what were the prices on the three steering gear that you had located.
     
    #11 Patrick Wong, Mar 24, 2010
  12. bjustin

    bjustin New Member

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    here's a good site i've been using Bob: Car-Part.com--Used Auto Parts Market

    I found an 03' rack and called the guy. He went out in the yard to give me the VIN and I ran it through autocheck. There was no accidents on the report, but the guy said it had been in a front end collision. However, he said it was head-on, and so neither of the wheels were hit and the suspension is okay.

    he felt the rack is good. vehicle has 40,000 miles and is less than $300. what do you think? Patrick, I don't intend to sell the car, but figure a used part installed for $500 instead of $2500 would be worth it, even if it had to be replaced again?
     
    #12 bjustin, Mar 24, 2010
  13. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    Odometer reading? Price?
     
    #13 Patrick Wong, Mar 24, 2010
  14. jk450

    jk450 New Member

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    Why do you recommend this?
     
    #14 jk450, Mar 24, 2010
  15. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    Because those two gear are from the 2002 model year, and I would not expect that they would offer a long service life.

    OTOH the low price may make it worthwhile to take the risk esp if the OP is going to install the gear himself.
     
    #15 Patrick Wong, Mar 24, 2010
  16. jk450

    jk450 New Member

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    Lots of racks there between $100 and $300.

    With head-on collisions, you need to make sure the tie rod ends haven't been bent, and the "ears" of the rack (where the rack mounting holes are located) are not broken off. Easy to do with the rack out of the car.
     
    #16 jk450, Mar 24, 2010
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  17. bjustin

    bjustin New Member

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    It's a $150 rack from an 03' Prius with 40k. He's gonna pull it from the vehicle and call me back to let me know how it looks. I asked about tie rod ends, etc. and he said it's probably okay (despite front end collision) since the suspension is intact.
     
    #17 bjustin, Mar 24, 2010
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  18. jk450

    jk450 New Member

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    Sounds promising. Good luck!
     
    #18 jk450, Mar 24, 2010
  19. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    Excellent find.
     
    #19 Patrick Wong, Mar 24, 2010
  20. rosepetal

    rosepetal New Member

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    i just found out i have to replace the steering gear rack on my 2002 prius :( (has 110,000 mi on it.) i see here some suggestions, any others? i have also heard that the steering rack has to have it's own ECU or else there could be issues. What else do I need to look for in the used steering gear rack? Used is the only way I can go, as a single mom, it is the only option! Thank you.
     
    #20 rosepetal, Mar 25, 2010
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