I had to replace my rack last August due to an internal problem that Chevy wouldn't cover. I went with an aftermarket OEM rebuilt unit.

I can honestly say to stay away from "The Steering Store" It was bad enough that I sent in my core and they politely told me the core was no good and when I asked for it back they had thrown it away. I won't get into that any further other than it cost an extra $150.00 core charge.

Anyway flash forward to a week or so ago. I am at the tire store getting my balance checked because the front end is feeling different. My trusty tire guy shows me the play in the steering rack inner tie rods. It moves probably a half inch in each direction on both sides before the rack moved.

Anyway question is How likely is it that both inner tie rods would fail at the same time? I don't distrust my tire guy I have used him for 20 some odd years. Is there an adjustment in the way the inners are screwed on and locked down?

I called the Steering Store and there process of warranting the rack is for me to remove the rack and send it to them to decide if the part is faulty then if they decide it's not their fault then I'll be looking for another replacement.

I have vivid recollection of the core issue in that the decision was made without me and I call almost guess the out come of the rack issue.

Ironically it would cost me less to replace the inners myself that what the cost is to remove the rack then the cost of the re-install. About 350.00 for just the inners and about 700.00 for the rack labor not including the replacement rack.

The Steering Store is very dubious at best. I guess if it just happens to work out for you then OK else Not. I ended up spending more by not getting my core charge back that what the dealer wanted for a rack. Now I am really exceeding that cost with having to do the repair myself.

Is there anything about the inners I can/should look at prior to getting the inners just replaced as far as possible adjustment or if they are loose they are bad?

 

Robert, sorry to read this.. I wish I could help.
Someone will jump in for ya...

 

You are getting raped on the cost of replacing the tie rods. I just checked on Rock Auto and their Moog inners go for $55 @. I charge between $40 and $50 per side to replace for labor. Add $60 for alignment and you have a total of $270 max.

And yes they can both go bad at about the same time, however they should last longer than one year. The Moogs quoted above are lifetime guarantee.

 

Sorry I Would have answered sooner but I was having difficulty navigating away from your avatar.

Yeah ~350.00 is the average I have for the inners. I will have to try Rock Auto. I think I seen their banner last night but never made it there. I was getting frustrated with none available and have to back order at several sites. 55. seems to be the internet going rate but I haven't seen Moog at that price so if they have them I better get them ordered.

I'm getting a little Leary with the warranties and guarantees for obvious reasons.

My mechanic at the dealer said he would do the install labor and reset the toe (I think he said toe) for 140.00 so that's about right in line with what you said. At the time he quoted me I was looking at dealer cost of 125.00 each with my cost around 79. each on the inners.

I primarily wanted to make sure I wasn't missing something with the replacing of the inners without checking them first. And I agree them lasting a normal amount of time would be nice. I would like to put this to bed and move on.

Thanks for your input.

 

This is the only one I have found from Rock Auto. You by chance have a part number?

2008 CHEVROLET CORVETTE 6.2L 376cid V8 FI (W) [LS3] OHV : Steering : Tie Rod EndPriceCoreTotalDEEZA Part # CVA610 {Premium Quality}
Front Inner
$17.46$0.00$17.46