Steering rack and pinion trouble

[Gil]

My 98 civic steering is knocking (clanking actually) on the driver’s side when playing with the steering wheel (especially when turning it left). My mechanic noticed the rubber boot on that side was torn, a year ago and replaced it, but the problem started only recently. The shop said that a re-manufactured rack and pinion plus labor will add up to 470$, and advised against rebuilding my rack and pinion because they say it’s a job that’s not worth the hassle. mind you that funds are low on my side. I found a kit for about 40$ with the seals, bushings and bearings, but I’m not sure replacing those will fix the problem, since I don’t seem to have power steering fluid leak (no leaks that I can see plus no fluid loss from the reservoir), it might be a loose bushing or it could be the pinion or rack themselves that are worn. what is your opinion on this, should I try rebuilding it, or take a loan and replace the entire damn thing?

edit: I just checked the boots again, and confirmed no leaks. So my theory is this: When the boot was torn-a year ago, some junk and debris got in there, the boot was replaced but the junk that got in there messed up the bushing. I think it is fair to assume that no debris got pass the seals, because the car would have fluid loss, and if is clean to the seals, there probably shouldn’t be any damage to the rack itself thus changing the bushing would fix the problem all together. the kit itself costs 40 to 50$ just 10% the cost of the replacement, I think I’ill try to rebuild it, unless there’s something else I don’t know about yet.

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