So I dropped the AU in to my mechanics this morning to fix up a leak from the power steering and my mechanic has rung back to say im looking at $775 to fix it up. He reckons one of the seals inside the rack has gone and he also thinks a hose to the pump itself is leaking. Supposedly there is no replacing just one of the seals, all you do is get a reconditioned one and away you go.

Is he just trying to get money out of me? The steering is fine besides the leak. How much is a reco rack worth anyway?

ive got a leak in my rack somewhere too, i was quoted atlike $450ish for a recond rack, thats semi- mates rates so his price wouldnt be too far off, ive been told with all the hassle it is to replace the one seal or whatever is fk'd its just easier to do the whole rack.. mine has been like this for a while, haven't had any problems with it yet either!

I just replaced the rack and high pressure line on my EL (I am sure they are some what similar to AU). Rack got quoted $320 (non SSPS) for a reconditioned one in exchange of your one. High pressure hose was $80 odd. Power steering pump was something like $260. Prices were from a power steering specialist. Ford can do recon exchange cheaper I believe...$260 or something. High pressure hose was $100 at Ford...not sure on pump price.

So from those prices...say you only need rack and pressure hose. It'll be about $400 in parts and 2 or 3 hours of labour (say Ford labour hours at $80/hr), new fluid (say $20) and wheel alignment ($50 odd). You're looking at just over $700...so pretty close.

Hmm.... Well I'm taking it to a power steering specialist to get a quote from them and if thats still stupidly expensive it looks like ill be hitting up my ex mechanic neighbour with all the parts and a few cases of liquid money.

Well I replaced the rack and high pressure hose myself. So I saved myself a fair bit and only paid the $40 odd from the nearest tyre shop for a wheel alignment. It isn't hard if you are some what mechanically minded. I had the Gregory's with me and plenty of help off some members here. I would assume the AU is slightly different to the EL, but not too drastically. It is a rather messy job.