rack and pinion replacement

Someone (the mechanic) has mentioned the creakkkkky sound in my right front fender is my rack and pinion (power steering) needs to be replaced. I have a 2012 Honda CRV with 109,000km.

Anyone else here getting similar/same work done?

I would like to get a second opinion lakeside, and then I'm thinking about checking for a mechanic in Laredo .. and get the work done there.

What I'm looking for is a mechanic recommendation lakeside for a second opinion to make sure the problem is as stated, and then to get an idea of the cost of this kind of replacement if indeed needed.

Then if anyone has any suggestions for a mechanic in Laredo, I'd appreciate it that.

Thanks!!

Last month I had a noise in the front end of my 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe.  I took it to Roberto at Hernandez Garage - beside Tony's and Super Lake and he diagnosed it and replaced the parts, showing me that worn out parts.

Quick, efficient and reasonable.

Roberto speaks great English and has been my go to mechanic for 18 years ! No problema...

thanks very much ...... two good leads from the 'inside' folks!

Rack and pinion will cost a LOT more up north. I just had it done at Juan Carlos Escalera's. I had been hearing a noise for a long time, as if a wire cable was being stretched when I turned the steering whell. If you look up rack and pinion on the Internet, you will see some fine pictures that explains how it works. When you turn your steering wheel is when you are going to hear it, because the pinion is moving back and forth, left or right, on the rack when you turn. Other signs are leaking transmission fluid and a burning smell.

Your problem may more likely be a tie rod considering the noise and location.

Complete R&P replacement and repair, plus tranny checking, fluids, etc. $4,000p.

HelperGuy wrote:Rack and pinion will cost a LOT more up north. I just had it done at Juan Carlos Escalera's. I had been hearing a noise for a long time, as if a wire cable was being stretched when I turned the steering whell. If you look up rack and pinion on the Internet, you will see some fine pictures that explains how it works. When you turn your steering wheel is when you are going to hear it, because the pinion is moving back and forth, left or right, on the rack when you turn. Other signs are leaking transmission fluid and a burning smell.

Your problem may more likely be a tie rod considering the noise and location.

Complete R&P replacement and repair, plus tranny checking, fluids, etc. $4,000p.

good going Helper GUY!!!!

the noise you describe is completely different from what I'm hearing .... no difference in making a turn, no transmission fluid leading, no burning smell.
it sounds like it is somewhere in the front right wheel well or just near there, as though something is broken or came loose and is rubbing on the side of something .... every time I hit a cobblestone, or pothole, tope, etc., I hear it. And, this is consistent. On a good, flat surface, I don't hear it at all. And, don't hear it if I'm making a turn.

Yeah for the tie rod!! A lot less than the rough estimate I got today.

I need to take the car into a couple of shops and get some additional input. I know Escalaera.

thanks for your help.

Brake calipers, too... I'm working on a similar problem. Sounds like something is loose, like a 10-peso coin or something, inside my wheel on the driver side. Can usually only hear it when I am driving beside a wall or a row of cars.

Forgot to add, visavis R&P, steering gets more difficult, too.

Steering is still the same ....

Good luck with your 10 peso challenge!

Are you going to Escalera in Riberas (I think it is Riberas) or San Juan Cosala?

Big help ... thanks.

Juan Carlos closed the place in SJC to focus on the Riberas shop. Good luck getting a good quote.

It's power steering fluid that you were seeing, not transmission fluid. They look very similar. The burning smell is likely because it was dripping onto a hot exhaust part. I only point this out because I don't want someone thinking the transmission is somehow related to the rack and pinion.

thanks Bob. This stuff is beyond my pay grade ... so every bit of info helps.

Excellent point, and worth clearing up.

CanuckBob wrote:It's power steering fluid that you were seeing, not transmission fluid. They look very similar. The burning smell is likely because it was dripping onto a hot exhaust part. I only point this out because I don't want someone thinking the transmission is somehow related to the rack and pinion.  

The noise on turning, especially in one front wheel area, is a classic symptom of a worn out constant velocity joint in a front wheel drive vehicle. They are covered by a rubber boot, which may also have been broken, causing premature failure.  However, those CV Joints do not last forever, and you may expect them to fail before 100,000 miles in normal circumstances; sooner with cobblestones and potholes, or other rough conditions. They can be replaced, and new boots installed. I would do both sides at the same time.

I'm sure this thread will be helpful to others down the road .... thanks.

Well, I took the car to Jovan ..... he claims the issues are all suspension .... a shock and several other things suspension related. He said he will need the car for 2 fulls days ...... I won't mention the bill!!!