Getting ready to install the tie rods and found that the steering rack is broken at the seam on the right side where the stabilizer attaches. There is a lot of corrosion in that area and I’m wondering if this is repairable. The car is a 1986 SE 3.4. Thanks will check back to give any more information or see what is possible with repairs.
That is a lot of corrosion. What does your frame look like? I would check the upper frame rails before deciding to spend any money. Take the rear inner fender liners off to check for damage.
You could probably find someone to weld that up but you should get a rebuild kit from Rodney Dickman. I have not checked to see if rebuild racks are still available through a parts store lately.
You should be able to get a good used one by putting a" wanting to buy" add in the mall section of this forum.
------------------ 86 GT built 2.2 ecotec turbo rear SLA suspension QA1 coilovers on tube arms
Fiero steering racks are getting very difficult to find. Best bet is to try and locate a used one from a parts car, then rebuild it . A steering rack specialty company or swap for the F body unit might work but that would mean adapting power steering.
------------------ " THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Spintech/Hedman Exhaust, P-log Manifold, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, Champion Radiator, S10 Brake Booster, HP Tuners VCM Suite. "THE COLUSSUS" 87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H " ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "
I agree, it's trashed. I don't thing it's worth even trying to weld it together.
If you can't find a replacement Fiero steering rack, you might try one from another car. In the early 1990'swhen we moved t Australia, I looked into bringing my '86SEover. I would have had to convert it from LHD to RHD. One of the companies that I talked to were doing conversions using the RHD steering racks from a Volvo 240. Maybe a rack from a LHD Volvo 240 will work for you.
I never went through with the conversion. I waited until the cars timed out and didn't have to be converted before bringing them over. I'm pretty sure that AusFiero's car is converted to RHD so he might be able to tell you it his car had the rack swapped and if so, what they used.
I still have the steering rack from my '87 Fiero. It's a rebuilt unit with low miles. Tie rods are still attached. I'm not sure what shipping would cost (it's about 5 feet long with the tie rods). But that's an option for you.
You've already found a replacement but for others that read this in the future, if the rack is cracked like that on the outside, most likely the inside is trashed from dirt and grime getting inside and being mashed up between the rack and pinion gear. Even if the outside could be repaired, the inside wouldn't be. That's a replacement item.
