My "cheapest rockauto FE5 rack and pinion" came in today. Got off work at 3:30 and was done with the swap by 7:30. even got food and beer first. Didn't have to remove the transmission mount, just rotated the metal band on the large end of the rack and pinion bellow and it slid in pretty easily.

I will post pics and video tomorrow, my phone is almost dead, and I left my battery charger at work.

The things that connect to the outer tie rod ends are completely loose. they just flop around with ZERO resistance. The new ones are hard to move. The outer tie rod ends rubber is broken and exposed. I did indeed find the culprit - the middle thing going up with the slot for the bolt, about 5" long - was super loose. I'm going to assume they never got an alignment and it just wore itself out over time.

Anyways, are the MEVOTECH TXES80479 on rock auto ($30 each) the best you can get?

https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...t=7428&jsn=933

I don't see a heart sign next to them (indicating a customer favorite)

The MOOGES800030

​​​​​​https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...t=7428&jsn=924

Has a heart next to it though.

Which ones should I get?

 

I’ve heard good things about the Mevotech new upper end line of parts

 

Going to order a set!

 

We’ll need photos and measurements to ensure they fit FE5 rack.

 

I guess I'll be the guinea pig for these

 

Hard to say. One of their interchange numbers is correct for AU FE5

ROD KIT.

Part Number: 25842032
Supersession(s): 25956921


ROD KIT,STRG LNKG OTR TIE. Required: 02
For: AP37-69 (2009-2009) (2009 - 2009).
For: AU PERF & HANDLING SUSP(FE5) (2008-2010) (2008 - 2010).


But several other Interchange numbers seem to be incorrect.

Steering Tie Rod End

Part Number: 25956927
Supersession(s): 15220347; 25956920; 15140337; 22664783; 22684863

Fits Cobalt, G5, HHR, Ion, Pursuit

3.4 LITER. Cobalt. COUPE,. Equinox, Torrent; 3.4L. G5. HHR; Soft Suspension. Ion. SEDAN,. Vue. W/o SS model.


So maybe it's one of those "Fits but isn't correct " . It's a Tie Rod End. You're probably not autocrossing, and even if you were, would it matter? Of course there are many "FE5" parts that do matter, but this might not(if it does "fit").

Like you said, be the guinea pig. Which is neither a pig, nor from Guinea, btw. Just a little useless factoid.


EDIT: whoops, I was looking at the Moog. The Mevotech doesn't show either of the FE5 numbers in the interchange list.

 

Hmm should I order the moog's just in case?

 

You could, and then return them if they don’t meet FE5 specifications.
I personally would just go with the Mevotech

 

Ordered both. If the mevotech fit, I'll keep em. Should be able to sell the extra set. Or return the mevotech if they don't.

 

A user on facebook said not to rotate the wheel or you will damage the clock spring. Is this why I get the POWER STEERING message on the DIC? Seems to work fine otherwise.