Rack&Pinion for 98 Neon

[somick]

Just got a phone call from my son. He drives 98 Plymouth Neon, stick gear shift. Somebody pushed him off the rode. He is OK thank god. The car is not so lucky. The rim is bent. Steering is very hard. He stoped at Midas and they said that this was rack&pinion. Estimated it at $800.

I am quite far away from the car and will not be able to see it myself in the near future.

I've checked with online auto parts. Price is around $200 + core.

There are few variations:

w/firm feel steering (SBB)
w/std. steering (SBA)

Do you happen to know what the difference is?

And how much work is envolved to replace it myself?

Thanks,
Sam

[99 Neon R/T]

The sport models have the stiffer more performance felling steering.The granny cars have the soft coushy steering.They are interchangeable so it is really personal preferance.As far as replacing it yourself it is within just about anyones means.Like 6 bolts 1 roll pin and 2 lines.A couple hours tops for a novice mechanic.Just remember to get it aligned afterwards.Good luck

[das2123]

I wouldn't be surprised if you had to change a control arm and the tie rods either. MEssing up the rack and pinion is a new one on me. I haven't heard of that before. But all can be done in a days work. Get a Haynes or Chiltons manual to help you out.

[somick]

Thank you guys!
I appreciate your help!

Sam

[neon_rt]

I had a '98 R/T with Firm Feel and my Sister had a '98 Sport, the Sport comes with standard steering.
I much prefered the "Firm Feel" there is less power assist so you have a better feel of the road. The steering ratio is also different. You have to turn the steering wheel a lot less to turn the car. Makes the car a lot easier to drive (for me) but if you don't have the suspension to match, you could find yourself out of control. If you jerk the wheel one way or the other, the car will turn way further than you expect, in that case and you may find yourself in the ditch.
The ratio for standard is 18:1 and the "Firm Feel" is 16:1.