Bent Steering Rack

[crudler]

Hi,

My Fiesta went in for wheel alignment, and the guy there wold me I have a bent tie-rod on the passenger side.

I took it to Ford, and they told me its a bent steering rack and I'm looking at over 8K to repair it.

I am a complete car ignoramus so i need a little help here.
What is the difference between a tie rod and a steering rack?
Does 8 sticks sound right or am i just getting ripped off by a dealer.

I was in a collision in January - someone drove into the back of me and it was a big repair job, could this be related?

Thanks!

 

[Velenoso]

There is a big difference. I don't know how your steering rack could have been bent if someone rear-ended you?

In any case, get a second opinion. If it is the rack, get one from the scrapyard, it isn't exactly a complicated part.

8 grand sounds very steep.

 

[crudler]

just got my second opinion.
its the rack "end" that is bent (must be different from the actual rack)
"unfortunately" they only come in pairs so i have to buy 2.
They will sting me R985.
I can't beleive it.

i dunno what the ford guys were smoking!!!!

 

[Velenoso]

They weren't smoking anything. That's what dealers charge. Anyone who takes their car to a dealer to be worked on (unless they're on motor plan) is the one smoking some bad ass sh|t.

 

[PHTech]

8K for a steering rack...!!! WTF...! What year is your car..? If it is the first shape or the facelisted one, you should pick one up for somewhere between R2,5k and R3k... That dealer is smoking serious stuff...