99 v70 SMI steering rack replacements recommendations

Post by **pfmet** » 25 Jan 2026, 08:35

As the subject line suggests, I’m lost in the world of remanufactured racks. I know people dismiss Cardones as junk.MasterPro from O’Rielly’s and Terrepower are done in the USA apparently, for what it’s worth. Complaints on both like Cardone. Does a truly good Remanufactured product even exist. My sister is having her 2001 Accord’s rack replaced for the third time. I messaged her for the parts details of that fiasco so those can be avoided. Will share what I learn . Anyone with a strong feeling on this I’d love to hear.

As of now I have a Cardone from RockAuto still in the box. The thought was well put that in and for the $18 core charge I’ll keep it and get a rebuild kit, another horror show perhaps and rebuild it. Sourcing the kit with correct QUALTY parts would be the next nightmare I suppose. Maybe I can find a good rebuilder locally. Hoped to only do this once of course. All thoughts appreciated. Enjoy the games on a snowy day!

Post by **abscate** » 25 Jan 2026, 15:00

I don’t think you have to replace a SMI with a sMI, some those options are up.

Rack and inner toe rod RMDs have to match.

I got did two racks over Covid from Detroit Axle. and are driving both still today

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01A1EJKFU?re ... _title_0_0

Post by **abscate** » 26 Jan 2026, 03:40

Massive core dump on racks here ftom 2022, courtesy of firefox

viewtopic.php?t=99317&hilit=Steering+rack+options

Post by **pfmet** » 27 Jan 2026, 16:08

Thank you for all this Abscate. I dither over this stuff and make myself miserable. I continue to read and it seems like every brand has their issues, with Car Done getting dissed badly as you’ve noted in the trusted parts thread. I am considering the Detroit Axle now. I get to keep my rack for free to rebuild if I care too. And thanks to Firefox.