Rack and pinion replacement question

[msmith69oldz]

Hello everyone. I have a 99 Grand Prix GT. 135000 miles. Yesterday the lower pinion bearing went bad. All the ball bearings fell out. The dust cap is missing so I guess dirt and water was getting in causing the failure. Anyway with the mileage on the rack I figured on replacing the rack rather than try to replace only the bearing. My question is What name brand replacement rack is a decent one? I was looking at the A-1Cardone on rockauto for $279.99 but it states that it incorporates "magnasteer" technology. What is this? Do I want it? I have read abouot a code NV7 which I dont have on the trunk sticker. I just want to make sure I order the correct rack. Thanks in advance for any advice!

[gmtech1]

I would recomend a Delco reman gear for it. If your gear had a wiring harness going to it in the stubshaft area, then it is a magnasteer gear. If you have doubts, any GM parts department can run your VIN and see what factory options you have.

[msmith69oldz]

They show a couple different AC Delco part numbers. Unfortunately for me I have tried 3 different local dealers and none of them seem the slight bit interested in helping me over the phone. Has anyone out there replaced this rack and know the right part number? Thanks!

[gmtech1]

If you send me the VIN. I'll see what I can do.

Nevermind. Two gears for that one:
Magnasteer 26079912

Non-Magnasteer 26079911

Good Delco part numbers.

[msmith69oldz]

Awesome. Thanks so much for that part number!

[Tech II]

GMTech1, wasn't there a recall on this?

[msmith69oldz]

Unfortunately for me if I didnt have bad luck I wouldnt have any luck at all. I checked about the recall and apparently it only covered 1997-98 models. The description of what the recall is for is exactly what happened to mine. The retainer which holds the bearings is not crimped properly and the ball bearings escape. My vehicle was manufactured in 6/98 although it is a 99 model year the dealer told me it is NOT covered under that recall. The rack and pinion is not leaking and otherwise functioned as it was supposed to until this unfortunate failure.

[gmtech1]

Yes, there was a recall on this, and like he said, he just missed it. I know that sucks. I suppose if you tried hard enough you may be able to convince the dealer to cover it, but I doubt it. I did enough of those I remember the recall part # by heart..88880036! That would be the bearing kit, but according to the recall, if a car comes in and the gear has come apart, the gear would be replaced. The bearing kit was just for the ones that had not come apart.

Recall # is 02049

[Tech II]

GMtech1, that's how I remember it......if you dropped the cap and the bearings fell out, the customer got a new rack.....

The giggest joke was the special tool GM gave you to do the job....it sucked.....just about everyone I knew, bought the good one from Snap On......

I would still call GM customer assistance and complain about this, since the problem is the same in a '99 model......let's face it, even though it's a '99 model, it still could have put together with leftover racks that were used in '98 models.....call and complain.....might get partial coverage....

[tblake]

Originally Posted by gmtech1

...... If you have doubts, any GM parts department can run your VIN and see what factory options you have.

I wouldn't count on it. I went there for one for my car, gave them my vin, and they gave me a rack for without magnasteer NV7, which mine was.

And I will agree, a reman delco is probably your best bet. I went through 3 cardone remans blowing seals all in a years time. Thank god they were under warrenty.