Name: Power steering rack replacement
Brand: AutoGuru
Rating: 4.6 (40 reviews)

Frequently Asked Questions

Once you fill out your details, you’ll be shown the ‘search results’ which displays instant fixed-price quotes from local service providers that can be booked online.

Yes. Once you have entered in your vehicle details and location, you’ll be able to browse through available repair tasks or inspections that you would like a quote for.

Car servicing, inspections and minor repairs such as brakes can be instantly quoted and booked online. For complex repairs, we’ll get local service providers to give you a personalised quote.

Nope! Customers who book with AutoGuru pay no fees.

AutoGuru can provide servicing and repair quotes for the majority of passenger vehicles on Australian roads. If you don’t see your vehicle listed, we’re really sorry but at this time we don’t have sufficient details on this vehicle type to provide you with quotes. Please try us again in the future though, as we are always updating our vehicle listings!

Yes. For the work included in the quote, the price you’re quoted is the final price you’ll pay.

Instantly priced quotes for servicing and repair work via AutoGuru.com.au include parts, labour and GST. Note: Quotes for inspection and diagnostic jobs do not include pricing for parts.

Service providers are advised to contact you directly in order to discuss additional work that is not included in the initial quote.

Inclusions for basic and logbook services can be found on the search results page or the booking finalise page under the ‘What’s included?’ button. Find out more

Yes! You can book with a mobile service provider that can come to your home or workplace. Find out more

No. The Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) states that any certified mechanical workshop or mobile mechanic can service or repair your car without voiding your New Car Manufacturers Warranty. Find out more

Yes. For logbook services, the service provider will sign and stamp your logbook to meet manufacturer requirements. If the service provider has not stamped your logbook, please contact them directly to arrange a time for them to stamp your logbook.

Yes. Please click the 'manage my booking' link on your booking confirmation email. If you need help email contactus@autoguru.com.au.

If you booked through AutoGuru and your booking has been confirmed, you can reschedule to a new date or time. Simply click the 'manage my booking' link on your booking conformation email. If you need help email contactus@autoguru.com.au. If you cancel or don't show up and don't reschedule (and you have prepaid in advance), a $20 cancellation fee will apply.

If you’ve booked with a workshop, the service provider will usually require your vehicle for the entire day due to scheduling. If you’ve booked with a mobile provider, you will only be without your vehicle for the time it takes to complete the job. Find out more

For servicing, inspections and select repairs, we can provide instant quotes. However, some tasks require a quote request to be sent to service providers. You will usually receive at least one quote within 24 hours.

If you have sent off a quote request to local service providers through AutoGuru, you can expect to receive up to five quotes back.

Didn’t receive a quote? No worries! Email contactus@autoguru.com.au and we'll see if we can help.

Booking your car service or repair through AutoGuru gives you access to these convenient payment options:

1. Pay upfront and online using your credit or debit card or PayPal
2. Book now, pay later interest-free with Afterpay, humm, Zip or PayPal ‘Pay In 4’
3. In some instances, you can choose to pay the mechanic when you pick your car up and the service and/or repairs have been completed

Yes, all service providers should provide an invoice when you pick up the car. Find out more

How much does a power steering rack replacement cost?

Most modern cars employ a power steering rack to make turning corners and steering your car a breeze.

Without a power steering rack, making turns with your car would be a feat best left to strongmen.

The power steering rack is in constant use when your engine is running; there’s always fluid circulating through the system.

Over time, fluid leaks can develop or internal valve failures can cause intermittent steering trouble.

The power steering rack can last your car’s whole lifetime in many cases, and faults are normally found in higher-mileage cars.

For most cars, power steering rack replacement can be expected to cost $750 to $1,500 and sometimes more, depending on the make and model you drive.

Cars that drive primarily in the city may experience more problems because of higher steering use.

What is a power steering rack?

The power steering rack is the basis of a power steering system.

Located between the front wheels and attached to the steering column via a linkage, the power steering rack reduces the effort required to turn your car when you turn the steering wheel. It contains a piston in a cylinder, and pressurised power steering fluid is diverted to one side of the piston or the other to decrease the amount of steering effort you need to apply.

The steering rack housing is cast in aluminum and sealed at the input shaft and both ends.

Rack end boots allow the steering rack’s inner tie rods to extend and retract without damaging the end seals.

Rubber seals, fluid leaks, and internal piston or valve failures can occur, causing external leaks or poor steering assist. Once a problem is found, power steering rack replacement is required.

Symptoms that your power steering rack requires replacing

Binding or choppy feeling when turning the steering wheel
Fluid leaks on ground under the front of your car
Low power steering fluid level
Fluid leaking into rack end boots at the ends of the power steering rack

How is power steering rack replacement performed?

The technician lifts the car on a hoist or jack stands and the wheels are removed
The outer tie rods are disconnected from the steering knuckles on both sides
Power steering hoses are disconnected from the power steering rack and mounting bolts are undone
The steering shaft is disconnected from the power steering rack
The faulty power steering rack is removed and a new one fitted in its place
The tie rods, power steering hoses, and steering shaft are refitted to the new power steering rack
Wheels are re-installed and the car is lowered to the ground
A wheel alignment is performed and a road test is completed by the technician

Tips to remember

The inner and outer tie rods may need to be transferred over to the new power steering rack or new ones installed
A wheel alignment must be performed after power steering rack replacement
Some newer vehicles are fitted with electric power steering racks, which use battery voltage and a motor to provide steering assistance. These systems will illuminate a ‘Check Engine Light’ when the engine control unit detects an issue.

How important is replacing your power steering rack?

It’s of top importance to ensure you can steer your car reliably no matter when or where you drive.

Replacing your power steering rack gives you the peace of mind that you can drive safely anytime you’re on the road.

Driving your car with a leaking or binding power steering rack is a safety concern that endangers you and anyone else around you on the road because you may not be able to steer clear of danger.

If you’ve read this far, you obviously care about your car. A lot. So next time you need a service, repair or inspection, visit AutoGuru.com.au.

We let you search and book from over 1,600 qualified mechanics, who eat car troubles for breakfast.

Image credit - (credit: https://www.ultimatepowersteering.com.au/audi/)

Frequently Asked Questions

Power steering rack replacement