I have a 2002 T&C 3.3L with 285K miles...I know right! The steering gear needs to be replaced as it is leaking (rather blowing out under pressure). I am fairly competent when it comes to minor repairs (brakes, water pumps, blower motor, resistor pack, heater core, etc). My question is, when I looked at the service manual for the replacement of the gear, it seems rather involved. Anybody replaced the steering gear themselves? Ideas...advice? I have no doubt that the tie-rods probably need to be replaced as well.

 

I am looking at the same repair and it looks pretty involved. I think it is going to involve a day of sweating and cussing under the car. It would be a different story using a car lift. The dealer quoted me about $1000 to do it.

 

I believe you are right. Of course, with the mileage..what else needs to be replaced? It would almost be foolish to replace the steering gear and not the tie rods. I have repaired my vehicle many times when I originally thought it was beyond the scope of my expertise. Short of electrical work or computer codes, it still is turning a wrench with determination and (in my case) desperation.

 

Tie rod ends should be changed at that mileage, how are the shocks and struts? My shocks and struts were done at 120k. Front suspension bushings were done at about 90k as well as the timing belt.