A few years back I hit a ditch and now I am getting leakage from the gear bellows at the inner tie-rod. I am fairly confident the R&P got damaged but I am trying to decide if I should replace the R&P. It looks like the part (would replace with '99) is about $265. Is this a decent DIY job? How long would it take? What else should I consider replacing while doing the R&P?

Thanks!

 

This job will task even the best mechanic. Not to say it's impossible, but it is very labor intensive. I did one a few years back, don't remember how long it took because it was combined with a clutch replacement job. I do remember thinking that the extra room afforded by the missing trans was very helpful, but it was still a PITA.

The thing to remember is when a part is in the way of removing the steering gear, you had better just go ahead and remove that part. There is very little room to snake the gear out of the chassis, even after it is totally loose from the body. The next one I do will have to be leaking pretty bad for me to consider it.

 

That's great advice, thanks! I guess if it is that much of a pain, then I will probably hold off until it is really bad. I guess it is just one of those things that it's hard to tell when it needs to be replaced. I am by no means a best mechanic, but I don't mind getting in there and trying things out. I have gotten a couple of quotes north of $1500 to replace - def not worth it.