Warning - Power Steering

After having some trouble with a remanufactured steering rack on my '91, I found this:

http://www.autosafety.org/article.php?scid=102&did=567
(above link is a discussion of steering problems on '80 - '88 GM cars due to the wearing of an aluminum rack bore)

I am curious if the 'iron' vs. 'aluminum' housing issue refers to an internal part in the steering rack, or to the main housing of the rack itself. My remanufactured rack (now a few years old) is evidently aluminum, as it is non-magnetic....

Those of you who have '89 or newer cars with the original steering rack - is your rack housing aluminum or iron?

If the issue is indeed the main rack housing, I don't see how any parts store or remanufacturer could responsibly sell an aluminum one.... and next time I'd want to bring a magnet with me to check the part before buying/installing it.

Thanks for any info!!

- GB

After having some trouble with a remanufactured steering rack on my '91, I found this:

http://www.autosafety.org/article.php?scid=102&did=567
(above link is a discussion of steering problems on '80 - '88 GM cars due to the wearing of an aluminum rack bore)

I am curious if the 'iron' vs. 'aluminum' housing issue refers to an internal part in the steering rack, or to the main housing of the rack itself. My remanufactured rack (now a few years old) is evidently aluminum, as it is non-magnetic....

Those of you who have '89 or newer cars with the original steering rack - is your rack housing aluminum or iron?

If the issue is indeed the main rack housing, I don't see how any parts store or remanufacturer could responsibly sell an aluminum one.... and next time I'd want to bring a magnet with me to check the part before buying/installing it.

Thanks for any info!!

- GB

GB

My understanding of this issue is the spool valve is located in the control area of the rack. This is where the steering wheel conects to the rack. The main body of the rack is aluinum. The spool valve housing is also aluimum. The improved racks have a steel liner put in the spool housing so the sealing rings do not wear it.

I hope this helps.

Regards

Dan