[srh]

I need to replace the steering rack-pinion for my Indica Xeta. Prerna Motors Bangalore offered me two options:

Brand new assembly with 1 year warranty - Rs 19000
Company reconditioned assembly with no warranty - Rs 11000. The reconditioned unit would be one which was taken back under warranty and then refurbished/ repaired etc.

What would be the right choice as per TBHP members?

(I already opted for a brand new one)

[McLaren Rulez]

This is one place where its better to play it safe. I'd buy the new one too. Mainly because the steering is a critical part.

[kannan666]

Originally Posted by McLaren Rulez

This is one place where its better to play it safe. I'd buy the new one too. Mainly because the steering is a critical part.

+1 to that, your choice of a new one is spot on !

[ACM]

I would say that though it seems that the stearing is a critical component, it is not likely to fail mechanically so reconditioned seems fine. Getting a local mechanic to look up the part in the local market where old cars are written off should bring down the cost to Rs. 5000 as well - for a part taken off another vehicle damaged due to one of many reasons like a rear or side accident writeoff, stolen and disassembled for parts, drowned in flooding and written off for parts, etc.

[TheARUN]

Prerana is getting into a lot of this stuff.

They also bill you for less if you have an understanding with their staff. They don't include certian issues in the bill and charge separately in 'black' from customers

[ACM]

Had done this refurbished part business for my TATA Safari - Power Stearing component. some 13K inplace of 26K. - They also gave a 6 months or a 1 year warranty dont remember exactly.

How did your rack and pinion get damaged?

[adityamunshi]

Details here : Tata Motors Customer Care :: Recon Aggregates

It is a factory repaired unit so i dont think you need to spend more for a new part.
BTW, what is the problem with your steering ?

[srh]

Originally Posted by ACM

How did your rack and pinion get damaged?

I guess it was due to hitting a bad pothole/ speed breaker on the highway. Wheel rims bent, tire punctured/replaced etc. The steering problem did not show up immediately, but some 1000 odd km after the incident

Another possibility is that I had an accident last year and the vehicle had gone to Manipal motors. I don't think it would be wrong to suspect that someone else's steering gear found way into my car and is now giving me problems (similar to many other items from some else's car which I could easily identify )

[srh]

Originally Posted by adityamunshi

BTW, what is the problem with your steering ?

Minor play when turning towards left

[srh]

Originally Posted by adityamunshi

Details here : Tata Motors Customer Care :: Recon Aggregates

It is a factory repaired unit so i dont think you need to spend more for a new part.
BTW, what is the problem with your steering ?

Thanks for the info Aditya. I read about the 6 month warranty on the reconditioned part and called back Prerna. They agreed to provide the warranty as a 'special case' . So I now changed the decision

[pramodkumar]

Why do you want to buy used part when you can buy a new one?, Try sourcing it from local market. I heard most of the Tata parts are outsourced to local vendors for manufacturing, Just find out what aftermarket replacement options are available, But definitly a big No No for reconditioned part. BTW you can get the steering rake reconditioned yourself. I had an esteem where in the play was adjusted by my local mech, if i can remember correctly he sent it to a specialist who does thia, he charged me 500 Rs for it.

Pramod

[adityamunshi]

Instead of going to a local mechanic, contact Rane TRW Chennai on 044-24494390. Rane makes the steering parts for Tata, ask them about a service centre in your area. Then you can go there and have it checked out, they will tell you if the rack really needs to be changed.

Originally Posted by srh

Thanks for the info Aditya. I read about the 6 month warranty on the reconditioned part and called back Prerna. They agreed to provide the warranty as a 'special case' . So I now changed the decision