Steering Rack + LCA’s Replacement Cost

2008 V6 Double Cab
My front-end was making a popping sound when doing tight turns. Also have a very bad leak from the steering rack dripping on the passenger side LCA.

Took it to friend at repair shop, they quoted me $1,600 for a new steering rack, outter tie rods, and an alignment.

Called me back and said there was so much fluid leaking from the rack that the bushings are also shot on the LCA’s and need to replace both LCA’s for $811.

Is this a reasonable price for all of this or did I get screwed over:
$2,411

1. New Steering Rack
2. New Outter Tie Rods
3. 2 New LCA’s
4. Alignment

 

Honestly it would depend to a certain degree on the quality of parts he used. Most of us are going to be inclined to say yes because we would do the work ourselves....but quality laborer isn't cheap, alignments are not cheap and is something most guys can't do themselves.

You got a lot of work done ( especially if your rack and pinion has never been dropped before because one of the bolts is ALMOST impossible to get out without moving your differential) and assuming you got decent parts and some kind of warranty then I'd say you did just fine.

 

Thank you for the reply, it’s actually a 2wd so I don’t have a diff in the front.

Was thinking about doing it myself because the rack is only $300 on Amazon (not sure if it’s Chinese junk though)

I do almost all maintenance but the steering rack looked like too much of a pita to be honest. Some guys on YouTube mentioned the ac compressor had to be removed to get to one of the bolts.

At the end of the day the truck is going to have a brand new front end. She has 245,000 miles on it and it’s still the stock steering rack on it so it was time for a replacement.

 

DIY easy if you have tools and mechanically inclined. Re use you lca if not rusted and replace OEM bushings with whitelines. Use moog problem solver obj and tie outers. If you’re not lifted the take it to a regular ass machine alignment place. Cheers.

 

You’re in SoCal? @Superdave1.0 can help you out he’s done a few steering racks and he does good work his prices will beat any shop

 

Its easy to spend that kind of $ on labor! DON'T go cheap on the parts quality! OFTEN O.E. parts are alot less than you'd think and often cheaper than junk local AutoZone. What is their labor rate? Did you get an estimate?

The biggest bang for your buck is to accumulate and do as many "overlapping" jobs at the same time. For example: do your lower ball joints need replaced? Super quick/ez @ this poìnt. The LCA's are aleady removed for the bushings. Get at least 2 estimates. A good (honest) shop will adjust overlapping time accordingly.

 

$2400 using all OEM parts, and an alignment? Id say that is worth it. Using Amazon parts? Maybe, but probably not