Lots of play in steering, any suggestions?

laurz121

It's not actually my car so I don't know all the details but a friend has taken their van in to the garage for some unrelated work and the garage has pointed out that there's a lot of play in the steering (which there is) and said it's £300 to sort out by replacing the steering rack.

If it is the steering rack that needs replacing is that a fair price to replace it?

And is it possible that it could be something less serious like joints or rubber seals that have gone?

any advice welcome

Strider590

That's probably not far off for a steering rack to be honest.

laurz121

I thought it'd be about right but thought it was worth checking.
Do you think lots of play would automatically mean new rack or is there some quick check that you can do to see if its something much smaller?

Strider590

Track rod ends could be worn, that realistically the only other thing.

laurz121

I'll pass the message on, thanks a lot Strider

KillerWatt

All depends on what van it is as to whether £300 is a fair price to be honest.

anewman

If it is all in the track rod ends though the play would be very noticeable. In my experience new racks come with track rod ends anyway. Now you know it's the rack that needs replacing you can call around some garages. Remember to check what type of parts the garage intends to use too (second hand/reconditioned/non-genuine/genuine).