Im in the process of replacing the rack and pinion in my 96 Accord EX 5 speed,4 cylinder Vtec.

I am browsing online for rebuilt racks and I am on the fence on which one to purchase. For a car this old,I normally go with the cheapest prices and often its Autozone Duralast with the lifetime warranty. However,I have not always had the best results using autozones duralast brand parts.They seem to last me a year on the average before they go bad again.

As you can imagine I dont want to have to repeat this job anytime soon.

I am seeing a reman rack made by Atlantic Automotive and autozone does carry it as well.Its about 60 dollars more and has the same warranty as the cheaper duralast unit.

Can anyone shed some experience or feedback on which brand reman is ideal?Did you have any success with a certain brand and price?

Thanks and sorry this isnt very technical,but I felt this was the best place to ask for advice or feedback.

 

Racks rarely fail thus little experience w/ this part.

On youtube, bushougoma has a video on replacement of rack in a 94-97 Accord ( ). Suggest contacting him for his insight. He's a very competent mechanic.

For myself, I would be inclined to purchase a used OEM rack, but I can appreciate that the effort level for this repair may justify spending a bit more for higher confidence in a good part. However, as you suspect, sometimes rebuilts are worse than used

I had a bad experience w/ two sets of AZ CV axles that failed to perform properly, so I'm not a big fan of Duralast either, but I use them for some parts.

good luck

 

Thanks for the advice. I find the job not very difficult to do,just the 2 lines were the biggest PITA of the job.That aside,I have done many rack and pinions in the past(customer cars not mine) and never had trouble accessing the lines as with this car.

Hate that cold garage floor and being on my back.If I had a lift,it would be a piece of cake!


The Honda website shows they use reman units from American Showa. I am looking at Cardone and Atlantic right now. Most are similar priced except the Honda parts site.

There is a junk yard a few miles away,they have a rack for 50 bucks and list it as A condition.I was shocked to find one so close by.However,I plan to keep this car for a while so Im not going to take a chance with a used part.

I will keep you all updated when the job is done,and which rack I chose and how it holds up over time.Oh and I replaced the AZ CV axles three times already in 2 years.They are JUNK. The lifetime warranty is nice,but tired of them wearing out every year or so.If they go bad Im going to get new axles from a local Place that specializes in rebuilding them and ask AZ for my money back.

 

After my debacle w/ AZ, they gave me a store credit for the returned axles.

good luck

 

Thanks..

I expected as much.I do know the Boss there at AZ and hes been very helpful.I dont mind the store credit,BUT Im going to need these cores for the other place.Hence my Dilemma.The Axle place has a huge core charge on it,almost to where Im better off staying with the AZ units until I get rid of the car.

I would be happy with store credit IF they let me take these cores to the other place but I doubt it now.

THanks again for that Video.I had watched it yesterday and it was very informative.

 

Rack doctor. Google him

 

Thank you.

 

96FiveSpeed,
Do you have an update on what brand RnP you went with 2 years ago and how that rack has performed? I have the same choice to make and wanted to get your experience first.


Thanks,