Honda Steering Assembly

[Khandro]

I love my old (immaculate) Honda 1997 CRV. I've just had it serviced by Honda and they say it needs a new steering assembly ("Lenkgetriebe komplet") however, there feels nothing untoward in the steering and I suspect they are trying to encourage me to buy a new one having first quoted a price of nearly 3,000 Euros (£2,100) for the job, now they say that the new part is unobtainable.
When I started motoring we had 'mechanics' (now we seem to have 'fitters') who used to take things apart and replace the worn or broken bits. I know nothing of steering assemblies, if the replacement is in fact unobtainable and assuming I could find a real mechanic, could it be dismantled and re-furbished, anyone?

[douglas9401]

Maybe Honda could supply a more detailed description of the alleged problem that you could take to a local tradesman for a second opinion.
It might save Honda tying up their workshop and you a pile of cash.

[tonyav]

Depends on what is mean't by 'Steering Assembly'. The whole steering assembly would include the steering column.

[tonyav]

The steering rack can usually be refurbed.

[Hymie]

If there is too much ‘play’ within the vehicle steering, this will be judged an MOT failure (assuming that there is a similar scheme in operation in Germany).

Given that things feel OK to you, who has owned the vehicle for a number of years – I would leave it as is.

However, bear in mind that if the steering has been slowly degrading over time, this may not be apparent to you for this reason.

[TWR]

I notice you say, " the car 1997, Service by the dealer, the dealer is after trade Khandro, if the car has steering issues you would feel this on the steering, on your last MOT did you have an advisory? If not & you had the MOT Be the dealer why did they not state that then? as Tony has said, inner parts can be replaced for far less than the dealers £2100, they are trying to take the Izz, look for a local family run garages and get quotes befor the job starts ( that is if it needs the steering which I doubt) do not jump with this, get it checked then follow advice given.

[Khandro]

Thanks guys, Tony;//Depends on what is mean't by 'Steering Assembly'. The whole steering assembly would include the steering column.//
That's really my terminology, my German falters when I get on to technical matters. What you call the rack , would that be 'the rack and pinion'?
As I have said, the steering feels good, and I remember how sloppy steering feels from passed jaguars.
Its next TUV (MOT) is in September, in Germany these are carried out not by dealership garages themselves, but by completely independent visiting specialists, I think I'll just carry on and see if anything is said then. - Going across the Alps to Italy and on to Slovenia in it next week by the way, and there are 'real' mechanics down there, I'll see if I can get another opinion.

[tonyav]

What you call the rack , would that be 'the rack and pinion'?

Yes Khandro the rack and pinion ( usually called the steering rack ).
I doubt very much if the whole steering assembly needs replacing, maybe a bit of play in the rack maybe but that can be sorted. However I have no idea just how strict a German MOT is.