Within the next week or so i going to replace my power steering rack due to it shifting side to side. Is there anything else i should consider replacing while in that area? I know that my rear main has a small leak. Im less than 600 miles from 200k on my 97.

Any other maintenance i should consider with 200k?

 

Sway bar bushings. Lower Control Arms. Outer/Inner Tie Rods.
Might as well also replace all p/s hoses, especially the pressure hoses.

 

If your rack is not leaking, leave it in and replace the mount bushings. A remanded wont be as high quality as OE, and I hear its like an 8 hour job.

 

What is moving back and forth, the rack itself? If the whole assy is moving, replace the mounting bushings. If there's play in the steering, check the inner as well as outer tie rod ends.

 

Im on my phone so bare with me.
@asand1, the rack was leaking at one point but it is not anymore. I replaced the brushing and boots last May(bought from O'reilly) because they were worn. A few months back i had the bushings lubed because i kept getting a loud creaking sound when turning the wheel. It did tone down the creaking alot when lubed but with the grease around the bushings, its causing the rack to shift from side to side. If I make a left turn it pulls left, right it pulls right. I was planning to go with a new rack, not a refurbished. I work in the service dept at Lexus so I get a good deal on labor. Was quoted about 5 hours of labor at $35 an
hour.

 

Sounds like you are getting a good price on labor. If you've already had the rack itself serviced, then replace it. If its only shifting though, a new rack won't have thge affect you are looking for.

 

when you replace the rack, get one that belongs on a 99SE. Stiffer, from what i hear.

 

@amerikaner83
Really, ill def look into that.

@asand1
Well when i called Nissan to price the part, they said the rack would be new along with new bushings. I figured that would fix my problems all in one.

 

Don't take it as Gospel, but yeah, I've read several threads on here where folks were instructed to do just that...throw a rack that belongs on the 99SE instead of direct replacement with the old one.