Hi,

 

I've got a 2008 Skoda Octavia Mk 2. Car's been running OK so far, until this happened.

 

For the past two years I had an advisory come up on my MOT for "play in steering rack inner joints".

This year I decided to take action and brought the car to the garage to investigate, and they say that the play is in the steering rack itself, not in the tie rod (whatever this is).

The worst part is that they suggest replacing an entire steering rack, and they gave me an estimate in which it costs about £1000!

 

I badly need advice. Is it reasonable to replace the entire steering rack? Is the price they give for it realistic? Is there any way to solve it for a reasonable price?

 

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

 

Edited 11 July, 20197 yr by A-Lagopus

The tie rods are replaceable, it will be the tie rod inner joints worn, not the rack.

 

https://www.carparts4less.co.uk/track-rod-and-track-rod-end

 

Replacement racks are available from about £120 if needed which I doubt.

 

If its Passed the MOT and not bothering you why change it?

 

Many MOT testers will put advisories down to either cover their backs or try the upsell.

 

Find another garage 

 

Edited 11 July, 20197 yr by xman

The inner ball joint on the track rod is a very common thing to wear and the chances are that is all you need to replace https://skoda.7zap.com/en/cz/octavia/oct/2007-252/4/422-422040/#2  & #3 

 

I had to replace them on my MK1 last year as they had been an advisory for th previous 4 MOT's 

I'd agree; there is absolutely no reason to replace the rack itself just because the inner rod end(s) are worn, Never mind whether or not you'll understand the answer, just ask them "How did you establish that there is wear in the rack?"

 

There will not be any wear in the tie (more usually track) rods themselves. Those are lengths of steel bar with threads cut into the ends, which the inner and outer track rod ends are screwed onto. This has the dual advantages (for you) of allowing the steering toe angle to be adjusted to make the tyres wear evenly and allowing the bearings to be replaced (more like £10 for each bearing than £1_000 for a rack).

The inner ball joint is part of the tie/track rod.

Thank you so much for your comments everyone!

One more garage in my do-not-trust list.

It honestly seems like it'd be easier for me to learn to change these track rods myself than to find a business to do that for me and not charge a price of a nuclear aircraft carrier...

 

Not entirely sure I trust my skills enough to drive the car I worked on though.

18 minutes ago, A-Lagopus said:

Thank you so much for your comments everyone!

One more garage in my do-not-trust list.

It honestly seems like it'd be easier for me to learn to change these track rods myself than to find a business to do that for me and not charge a price of a nuclear aircraft carrier...

 

Not entirely sure I trust my skills enough to drive the car I worked on though.

The hard part is setting the correct steering angle on a new rod end.

34 minutes ago, KenONeill said:

The hard part is setting the correct steering angle on a new rod end.

 

Needs to be done properly, laser alignment, about £40-£60 pounds at a decent tyre centre.

 

In fact, buy a pair of tie rods complete with track rod ends as well, approx £40 - £60 for a complete set from carparts4less, ECP or other such place depending on quality/brand. Trot along to F1 autocentres, or other tyre place and pay them to fit them and align. Probable an hours labour at £50 or so plus alignment which they'll probably discount if you ask.

Edited 11 July, 20197 yr by xman

I would get a second opinion. It's unlikely the play is in the rack itself, as the others have said it's more likely to be the tie rods.

 

I had a supposed "specialist" in Milton Keynes tell me there was play in my steering rack, yet it has never been an advisory on any of the numerous MOTs my car has had since. 🤔😉

17 minutes ago, petrolbloke said:

I would get a second opinion. It's unlikely the play is in the rack itself, as the others have said it's more likely to be the tie rods.

 

I had a supposed "specialist" in Milton Keynes tell me there was play in my steering rack, yet it has never been an advisory on any of the numerous MOTs my car has had since. 🤔😉

 

Good point. I had my wheels aligned since this advisory cropped up, and they never mentioned anything about the play in the rods.

It is possible that its the bush in the rack, far more likely to be the inner track rod swivel joint (I had to do mine on the MK1) and the clincher is that the only way to know for sure is to remove the gaiter which I would bet your garage didn't, simple enough to check for a new wire clip or tywrap.