98Concours Posted January 26, 2004 Report Share Posted January 26, 2004 I just got a letter (advertisement) from a local dealer saying I need a 24,000 mile service. A few of the recommended services are: 1. Flush rack & pinion assembly 2. Install deposit control kit-fuel & oil 3. Flush power steering Ever hear of flushing the rack and pinion? Without me calling them and finding out about these services, any idea what "install deposit control kit-fuel and oil? It all sounds like a gimmick to me. Jeff PS, it's not from the Caddy dealer.......it's from a large dealer that sells just about every brand except Cadillac. I go there sometimes to have my oil changed because they are a GM Goodwrench dealer and have 9.95 oil/filter changes using a delco filter. Jeff 98 Concours 90 Seville 04 Corvette Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ranger Posted January 27, 2004 Report Share Posted January 27, 2004 Since tune ups are almost a thing of the past they have to get inovative and come up with other ways to part you from your money. Didn't they recommend a crankcase & transmission flush? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
98Concours Posted January 27, 2004 Author Report Share Posted January 27, 2004 I think that comes at a later date. lol They also check undercarriage for damage. I've just never heard of flushing the rack and pinion and have no idea what # 2 above is. Jeff Jeff 98 Concours 90 Seville 04 Corvette Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JasonA Posted January 27, 2004 Report Share Posted January 27, 2004 I don't know if I'd consider flushing the steering system such a bad thing -- unless they hook it up to some sort of machine. I think my car has a bad/failing rack (groaning under high load) and that's been a common theme on the old board (someone else had to replace a rack due to same symptoms). I don't know how much a new rack costs, but I bet it's MUCH more than a steering system service if that flush service will enable a longer life. Just a thought... Jason(2001 STS, White Diamond) "When you turn your car on...does it return the favor?" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnnyG Posted January 27, 2004 Report Share Posted January 27, 2004 Problems with rack and pinion steering gear are nothing new, my old 1986 Merkur was prone to them for some reason. The cure was always to change P/S fluid. Now, on my 1999 STS, service records indicate that the P/S rack had been changed at about 20,000 miles. I know this must be true because after I bought the car I found both tie rod ends loose, as in not tightened after the repair. Maybe this is a weak spot in the design of these cars, or maybe it is an attempt to solve other issues such as the ever present out of balance tire problem, who knows? The real question is how much are you willing to spend to maintain your car. Fact is, it can't hurt...unless it hurts your wallet. Never underestimate the amount of a persons greed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JIMDTS Posted January 27, 2004 Report Share Posted January 27, 2004 Hi Flushing the rack and pinion not a bad idea.However on the newer cars they have a filter to catch the dirt,debris and seal particles that wear.So all you should have to do is clean the filter.In the 80's I used to install a metal gas filter on the return in from the power steering pump to catch the dirt in the system they worked great and never had to replace another rack and pinion on any of my cars.Some of the early designs did not have a filter in the system.Preventive maintaince can be a good thing if your handy and can do it yourself but it can get costly to have a dealer do it.Some preventive maintaince people just don't do.Last summer while I was at the dealer I asked about changing my coolant and flushing the brake system(changing the brake fluid). The service writer started to laugh and asked what on a car 2 years old? Then goes into the garage and starts telling the mechanics listen to this.I really felt like telling him where to go in a hurry but I let it pass and just told him that's rite and just did it myself in a couple hours on a saturday afternoon. Good Luck Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JIMDTS Posted January 27, 2004 Report Share Posted January 27, 2004 I bet the deposit control kit is just a fancy way of saying they will change the filters (oil & gas) Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RalPh Posted January 27, 2004 Report Share Posted January 27, 2004 I did this myself, it was fun! Used a clear piece of 3/8 tubing and hooked it up to the, low pressure, return hose at the P/S pumps reservoir tank. I simply started the engine and poured in P/S fluid as it was pumped out. Really makes you "feel good" to see that black fluid turn clear (you need to turn the wheel back & forth to get the rack flushed) Just as Guru says to never let anybody hook your car up to a flush "machine" (and I assume that applies here) the "dump while refilling" method works well on both trans & P/S. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrtony8 Posted February 2, 2004 Report Share Posted February 2, 2004 For the price of the flush you can not go wrong. Or would you rather spend $1000 on a new rack and pinion? If you see the fluid that comes out of there, you will be amazed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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