[Dog Cart]

I have a tear in my rack and pinion boot, and apparently the best (only) option is to replace the steering rack. it is not an emergency, and I plan to do it in the next couple months (I don't drive a lot).

Sounds like some folks on this forum change their steering rack to something sportier. Is it simply a matter of choosing a different one, or more complex than that? My mechanic will do the work. Thanks for info.

 

[fourortwowheels]

what year is your forester? the sti and even the wrx steering racks are huge improvements over the forester one... the sti one needs to be out of an 04 to bolt right up, if you find an 05+ youll need the crossmember as well. and im pretty sure any year wrx rack bolts up. since performance doesnt seem to be a huge concern, you can find a wrx one for much cheaper!

 

[Elmy]

what year is your forester? the sti and even the wrx steering racks are huge improvements over the forester one... the sti one needs to be out of an 04 to bolt right up, if you find an 05+ youll need the crossmember as well. and im pretty sure any year wrx rack bolts up. since performance doesnt seem to be a huge concern, you can find a wrx one for much cheaper!

Interesting as I probably need a new steering rack too since I got this slack in the steering.
I changed the steering rack bushings. It did help a bit but not much.

 

[Dog Cart]

Mine is a 2001 standard transmission. The Forester option I was going to go with is a re manufactured one. Sounds like I could just ask for an STI instead? Or WRX?

 

[funkymonkey1002]

Pretty sure the STI/WRX ones only fit in the SG 03+ models. iirc the SF models used a different fitment rack. You could probably use one out of a similar year impreza however, but not sure how that differs to the forester one.

 

[pleiad7]

OP's profile says he has a 2001, so both WRX and STi steering racks will need modification to fit.

We're in the same situation of having to replace the rack in our '98 and are planning on getting it rebuilt close to STi specs (rebuilder is taking out a full rotation). It's seems easier than trying to jerry-rig an STi or WRX rack to fit the SF5 chassis.

Also check out this thread: http://www.subaruforester.org/vbulletin/f70/will-sti-wrx-steering-rack-fit-2001-sf5-15975/

 

[whyrichard]

Hey,

My 04 xt needs a new rack and pinion as well. does this sound normal for 100,000 miles?

If i call my mechanic and ask him to order parts for a wrx or an sti, is it the same cost as the forester?

thanks,
r.