Chrysler Repair: rack and pinion (steering gear): minivan, postal mail, replacement job

Question
I have a 1997 chrysler lxi town/country minivan I need a rack and pinion can you tell me how much it will cost in a shop to have done , I do not wont to be over charge, my mechanic says it need to be up on a rack he does not have one.

Answer
Hi Me-Me,
I don't work in shop and haven't ever worked on the minivan so I can't estimate the time/parts charges for that steering gear replacement job. The front end can be jacked up and put on jack stands, you don't need a lift to do the job. Some special tools are needed, however.  I do have the shop manual that shows all the steps if you can find a less expensive mechanic who will do the job with jack stands but needs the step-by-step procedure. I can xerox that and postal mail it to you. Is it leaking fluid so significantly that you can't keep up with it, or does it actually malfunction? It is not a quick job so it will be not cheap.
Roland
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