I am looking to get my rack and pinion replaced as it is leaking. The local Infiniti dealer quoted me $1600 (part itself is around $900) for the Remanufactured and $2400 or a New one (part is around $1700). Looking to save some bucks with the Remanufactured one as it is from Nissan/Infiniti (vs. an off brand) and comes with a 12 month/12K mile warranty.

Has anyone had good (or bad) experience with a remanufactured rack and pinion or another remanufactured part in general?

It's a big repair so I wanted to get the consensus on remanufactured parts from Nissan/Infiniti.

This is the part:
https://www.infinitioforlandparkpart...M-KK65ANW.html

 

I don't have much input on new vs reman, but how much is your current rack actually leaking? Lot's of people have seeping/sweating but I don't think many have a leak to the point of replacement.

 

I don’t see any leaks on my garage floor but the auto repair shop said there’s a lot of fluid around the boots. He said the reservoir was on the LOW level.

Should I try the Lucas ‘Stop Leak’ first and see if that helps? I work from home so I don’t drive the car a lot (maybe 200 miles a month if that) and we have another vehicle too.

At what point should be concerned or absolutely need to replace?

 

@kcdc

You may want to take a look at this thread and reassess the purchase of a new rack: https://www.myg37.com/forums/brakes-...moist-fix.html

Essentially, there is no O-ring or seal of any type to prevent fluid from seeping out over time (which is now a decade or more with this model). If I were you, I'd get up under there and clean off the rubber boot and around the rack adjustment nut with some mineral spirits, then change out the fluid in the reservoir and keep an eye on it.

I only drive about 5-7K miles per year myself, but I still change my PS fluid out annually because it’s cheap and fairly simple to do as Frank explains in his DIY here:

You Tube

If you look at the first link above, you will see that once I wiped away the "seepage", that there was a small drop of fluid visible in the first photo I posted (BULL points this out). I then cleaned the area and took a pic (second photo). Over a week and 300 miles later, it looks like this (below). Again, unless you are losing a reasonable amount of fluid or the rack is failing, I would not replace it or use an additive.

 

I agree with @socketz67.
It will take some effort from your end to determine where the leak is actually coming from. The bolt/adjuster mentioned can appear as a boot leak if it's significant enough.
The rack uses some rubber hoses in this area that are pretty common for them to leak. I suggest since you work from home to lift your car and clean the underneath of the car and then inspect.
A powersteering leak unless is cleaned and monitored can be ANYTHING. Confirm that theory by cleaning and inspecting yourself.

As far as the racks go, a remanufactured unit will do the job just to be easy on the wallet. If both carry the same warranty save your self a couple hundred dollars in my opinion.

 

I agree with Socket and Bull.

But if you're determined to replace the rack, reman is fine.

 

As tempted as we may become, we musn't allow perfection to become the enemy of the good

 

I'm meticulous only on the **** I can afford. That's how I keep my OCD at bay
The issue is I'm Puertorican and I learned many cheap ways to "skin the cats"

 

Thank you @socketz67 and @BULL (on your other post) for your detailed explanation of how to possibly stop the leak. The only issue is that I am not a 'hands-on' person myself . I am not comfortable doing some of this stuff myself or nor would I know what I am doing exactly..Lol

But the workaround completley makes sense. I may have to find an independent mechanic or shop here local who might be able to understand this issue and would be able to do this for me!