I have a 97 impreza outback wagon.

I took it to a local repair shop and they told me I needed a new rack + pinion, new struts.

I'm looking to :

1) buy parts

2) a good local mechanic that can do a good job.
(detroit, mi)

Please help.

_aquagirl

Let me guess,

You took it to Wetmore's and Jerry quoted it to you?

Ben - How hard is a rack and pinion to to replace, (and does she really need one?)

_aquagirl - I've been doing repairs to buddies cars for the last year or so.. I do good work relatively inexpensively.... (at least the work I can accomplish) If I cant do the job I will tell you and not waste your time or break your car.

nick

Let me guess,

You took it to Wetmore's and Jerry quoted it to you?
Uhm! yes! you got that right!! and I still haven't gotten it taken care of! I work way too much! But it's starting to sound really really bad.

Ben - How hard is a rack and pinion to to replace, (and does she really need one?)

_aquagirl - I've been doing repairs to buddies cars for the last year or so.. I do good work relatively inexpensively.... (at least the work I can accomplish) If I cant do the job I will tell you and not waste your time or break your car.

nick
me not ben, but rack and pinion isn't too easy.
still, if you can do it yourself, you'll probably do it with more care and long term success than a mechanic if using OEM parts, etc. + much less cost...
Less cost from labor stand point, but also less cost from not having them do it 3 times over(speaking from experience).