2007 S60 2.5T, 180K, bad steering rack, scrapyard time?

[NEusa]

Hello, my old S60 is in a bit of a jam at the moment, and I think it's time to send it down the road. I'll miss the driver seat, my favorite of any car I've been in.

Anyway, It has a bad steering rack, and is pretty much unable to be driven (safely). $3,500 at the dealer (rack, two front tires, alignment) and more like $2,100 at the local indy with a re-manufactured rack. That indy number assumes they can strip the tie rods and things from the existing rack, perhaps that's farfetched. The car has a loud front end, which the dealer's diagnostic claimed was just the rack and not any of the other common front end stuff on a P2. Not sure if I believe that, so my assumption is that the car probably needs like $4,000 all in.

I have an option to buy a single owner Honda which needs a catalytic converter for super cheap, and I think I'll be doing that. (All in for parts is like $1,400 and it's a much easier job than the rack so I'll just do it.)

The question: what is there to do with an old S60? I asked the indy if they bought parts cars, and didn't really get an answer beyond "Well, we can scrap it for you, we'll pay ~$250". Ditto at some local junkyards. I don't really want to sell it to someone who needs a car, since it feels wildly irresponsible.

I have a feeling that the thing to do is try and aggressively negotiate at the junkyards to around $450 and consider myself ahead of the game. I was going to toss up a classifieds listing here for a bit and see what's what, but the pricing guide suggested making a post in the model forums if you weren't sure of the pricing. Obviously, I'm not sure what it's worth, and figured I'd poll the collective wisdom.

Thanks.

[br0dy519]

The price is too high. I just paid $1000 canadian all-in for parts and labour for a rack replacement. I would see if your indy will let you source the rack yourself, pick one up from Detroit Axle or United Power Steering and see what the cost would be.

OR if you are steadfast on selling the car. Just list it as-is.

Whatever you do, just don't run the pump dry. Put something in there to prevent that... I just always have a spare bottle of transmission fluid around in case of an emergency. It can always be flushed later if it's the wrong type. You don't want to buy a pump too.

[ignatz]

I got $400.00 for my rusted 92 GMC Safari cargo van this summer. Ran great, but had a rusted frame.

[abscate]

If you want to roll it down to Albany we probably have enough time to DIY before the cold weather hits. I have the engine hanger and space.

[abscate]

If you want to roll it down to Albany we probably have enough time to DIY before the cold weather hits. I have the engine hanger and space.