Guide · Buying
When a steering rack, turbo or power steering pump fails, you have three options: new, used, or reconditioned. They are not equal and the cheapest up front is not always the cheapest in the end. Here is how to choose.
For parts like steering racks, turbos and power steering pumps, a reconditioned (remanufactured) unit is usually the best balance of cost, reliability and warranty: it is rebuilt to specification with new internals and tested, at a large saving on new OE. New OE is the most expensive and rarely necessary. Used (scrapyard) parts are cheapest up front but carry unknown wear and usually no meaningful warranty, a false economy for wear items.
How remanufactured, new OE and used parts compare on cost, reliability and warranty, and when each makes sense.
| Options | Reconditioned | New OE | Used |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | Low-Mid | Highest | Lowest up front |
| Reliability | Rebuilt to spec, tested | As-new | Unknown used wear |
| Warranty | Yes | Yes | Little or none |
| Availability | Wide (exchange) | Varies / slow | Hit and miss |
| Best For | Most repairs | Warranty/lease cars | Bangers, short-term |
The best brand is different for different appliances and different buyers, which is why a curated retailer that stocks the right brands for each category is more useful than a brand that claims to be best at everything.
For parts like steering racks, turbos and power steering pumps, the three options differ on cost, reliability, warranty and availability.
Steering racks, turbos and power steering pumps are precision wear items. That is exactly what remanufacturing addresses: the unit is stripped, worn parts are replaced, and it is rebuilt and tested to the original specification - for a fraction of new. With a used part you are buying someone else's wear and someone else's unknown history, with no warranty when it fails.
Reconditioned = new internals + testing + warranty, at a big saving on OE.
Exchange keeps the price down and turnaround fast.
For a turbo, a VSR-balanced reconditioned unit performs like new.
If the car is under warranty or on a lease that requires it, or no quality reconditioned unit exists.
For a very old, low-value car you plan to scrap soon, where any repair is short-term.
For almost everything else: the sensible balance of cost and reliability.
For a steering rack, turbo or power steering pump on a car you intend to keep, a reconditioned exchange unit is almost always the smart buy - you get near-new performance and a warranty without the new-OE price, and you avoid the gamble of a used part. See our reconditioning services for steering racks, turbochargers and power steering pumps.
Get your price
Driveshaft Ireland remanufactures and repairs steering racks, turbochargers, power steering pumps, driveshafts and propshafts for cars, vans and 4x4s. Irish-owned, 30+ years' experience, nationwide delivery. Most parts are supplied on an exchange basis and priced to your exact vehicle. Tell us your make, model and registration (or the part number) and we will confirm price, availability and warranty.Vehicle maintenance information: Road Safety Authority Ireland vehicle maintenance guidance
