Need a rack and pinion 96 855t Topic is solved

[Chuck W]

Thanks for letting us know about this brand Chuck. Interesting that they list the FWD and AWD with different racks. Are they different?

Neil.

I don't *think* so, but I'm not familiar with the AWD cars.

The info is based reports from people who have installed them, one of who track drives their car. It's a route I'll probably investigate if/when we need another.

[Sveedy]

I think I'd "steer" (har har) away from Detroit Axle. My son is shipping one back for a refund as I type this.
Granted it was for a Jeep, but It's still worth mentioning. The shop that was doing the work said that the rack was clocked completely off, and that this wasn't the first Detroit unit that they had this problem with.

[rguzz]

Helpful review. My steering is seriously notchy, pulsates and whines loudly. My brilliant idea of replacing the ps pump with my low miles oem spare made things worse. It only leaks a tiny amount from the drivers side outer boot. Maybe Rock Auto pump is the way to go. Car is way to nice for the boneyard. I have the rounded cap on the end of the pinion and it's an oem rebuild from Jorgen a few years back. The AWD racks have a bracket that is different but I believe otherwise the same and bracket can be modified either way. Thanks for all the updates.

[abscate]

Thanks for letting us know about this brand Chuck. Interesting that they list the FWD and AWD with different racks. Are they different?

Neil.

They are listed as different in the Volvo parts online engine. Chassis breaks too, on the xc70 at least

Maybe just mounting?

[V50M66]

AWD rack is different from the FWD racks - the FWD rack has a provision for the rear engine mount, and the AWD rack doesn't due to a difference in engine mount position to make room for the angle gear.

You can turn a FWD rack into an AWD rack by cutting off the mounting boss for the engine mount. They are the same otherwise.

SMI vs TRW doesn't matter, they're compatible with each other and the only functional difference is the inner tie rods use a different thread on the rack side.

Avoid Detroit Axle, Cardone, Maval, and any other rebuilt rack. They are all junk. Leak fluid almost immediately and even lock up while driving in a few cases.

You want an AAE 3095N off RockAuto. They're brand new out of a factory in China - the Europeans have been using them for years without issue, and I've yet to see a report of a failed one in the US. Have one in my Emerald '98 and it's been great. If you have an AWD car, buy this rack and cut the mounting boss off. This is the only rack you should buy.

[rguzz]

Thanks, I will order rock auto AAE replacement and go from there, tie rods TRW as mine are shot and using them again seems foolish. Nice thread summarizes a lot for me.

[V50M66]

AAE rack comes with new inners and boots, though it probably doesn't hurt to get something better quality if you wanted. They're TRW style. Mine are still tight at 12k though so up to you

[rguzz]

AAE rack is in and functioning. Still a whine from the pump but much better and that's all the symptoms, steers and drives fine. So, success!