salimshah

First find out the root cause. Shocks are less than $100. Lube is about $10.

CV is pretty robust, unless there was a rip in the boot.

If you are tired of the vehicle then it is a different situation.

Salim

josediablo

Hello Guys,

Okay, the clunking when turning left and maneuvering in tight spots has taken its toll in wrong diagnostics. A shop I thought knew their stuff changed the left wheel bearing (clowns) while I left the car with them and headed south for the christmas holidays. I also had to change the right side CV joint, the boot was gone and grease was spitting all over. Anyway the clunking was determined yesterday. I took the car back to an old shop that I used to frequent. Unfortunately the good mechanics have long gone. The clunking has increased to the extent at a certain angle of the steering wheel (turing left) if I move the wheel left/right, left/right, the clunking is really loud. So with me sitting in the vehicle and the vehicle ramped up and steering being moved left/ right. and the owner of the shop checking below, he noticed the steering oil leaking out the right side boot each time the clunking came on. So VOILA! it is the steering rack and pinion for the wood shed!!

I want to order a good but not prohibitively priced replacement and find that parts geek, and rock auto have the A1Cardone and the Maval remanned rack and pinion for about $250 plus core $125 which I can return for my money back. On the other hand parts.com have the OEM for $950 . The vehicle now has 210K miles. What do you think would be the best replacement? While I'm replacing this I'm also going to replace my front struts and strut mounts, control arm bushings and lower ball joints. Any recommendation which parts company to go to??

Thanks everyone.

salimshah

The total keeps raking up ..

I would say fix the problem and think twice about the suspension parts. If you or not tired and intend to the keep the RX for another 150k miles, then go ahead and replace the suspension.

Salim

JohnLX300

iTrader: (2)

For something like the steering rack, and the age of your vehicle.....junk yard! I used a website called www.car-part..com, it searches a bunch of junk yards in your area so you don't have to call each one by one. Also, check ebay form some, I saw them listed for about $120 with free shipping.

hypervish

+1, junkyard.

josediablo

OK, I finally got rid of all noises in the vehicle. I bought a remanned rack and pinion on Ebay for $235.New tie-rod outer ends for $25. New KYB front struts and mounts and sway bar bushings for about $396. Labor to do this since my garage at home is chock-o-block was $550. The vehicle drives great.

Of course Murphy's law always has to ensure that any joy is short lived.. So today I have posted a new thread on three emission codes that have come up in the last week. Please check it out under Lexus rx300 p1133,p1155,p1154.

Thanks for all the help from this site. You guys rock!!