rack and pinion help?

[Clip]

so i took the supra to get it inspected today, they called and said i had a bad seal in the rack and pinion system and that they'd have to replace the whole setup, running around $900...what the hell? the mechanic said "oh, its kinda hard to see unless youve cut the wheels hard one way and are washing the car" or some crap like that.

before this i'd noticed a bigass clicking sound occasionally when the wheel would be cut hard to the right. i wouldn't be doing over 5mph turning that hard, so itd be a slow turn or backing up. in addition to this, ive had a cracked rubber boot behind the front right wheel that i noticed when i was working on the brakes.

any help here? i know that advance auto sells an entire rack and pinion seal kit for around $100 and im taking it this afternoon to get a second opinion.

again, i'd be grateful for some help on this, cause i dont really wanna have to drop another grand on this if i can help it.

course, if not, this is just an excuse to get a 1jz front clip...

 

[whudafux]

It's definitely not 900 to replace. I payed 500 for the rack inner and outer tie rods and installation and an alignment at Pepboys. I didnt do it myself because i dont like to work on the steering. Way too important to tamper with. Go for a second opinion. And the first mechanics reason seemed very shady.

 

[Clip]

yeah, found a complete rack and pinion for 379 with a lifetime warranty, got a good mechanic to give a second opinion and he says yeah, around 500 would get me back on the road

 

[Nick M]

Be extremely carefull buying a rack and pinion. Used/rebuilt units can be suspect, just like the used overseas engines (JDM). Inner and outer tie rod ends are not a rack and pinion either.

If the inner seals go bad you may have symptoms like hard steering while cold, then as it warms, assist increases. Is that why you are looking for a new rack?

 

[Clip]

no, there is this massive clicking sound if i cut the wheel hard to the right. and i mean massive.

but yeah, it is leaking. not too much hard steering. how do i know if ive got the electronic assist on my power steering?