Rebuild original vintage part or buy cheap reproduction?
Deciding whether to buy a rebuild kit or a cheap replacement part comes down to balancing the effort of restoration against the reliability of a new component. This choice often leaves mechanics stuck fighting stubborn old pieces or gambling on aftermarket quality just to get a machine running.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
- 1Buying a cheap reproduction replacement part instead of restoring original equipment
- 2Replacing the entire control arm assembly instead of pressing out individual bushings
- 3Choosing mid-tier aftermarket parts like Moog or Mevotech for low-mileage vehicles
- 4turning the wheel to check for power steering fluid dripping
- 5checking for in/out play of the inner tie rod shaft to its base
- 6checking for play in the steering wheel and listening for noise while turning
In their words
Unedited, most upvoted first, each linked to the thread it came from.
“Just wanted to know if I should spend the $20-25 for a rebuild or just spend the $80 on a Chinese one. Not too picky just want something that works.”source ↗
“Should I try to fight the bushings or just go whole arm?”source ↗
“i have some people telling me to just replace the boot on it and others telling me i should get new inner tie rods. can someone help me make the right decision?”source ↗
“is it worth changing the seals or would i be better off just getting a new rack?”source ↗
Where this came up
People with this problem also raised
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- 2Can I reuse a damaged flywheel with grooves and hot spots?