Anyone know the true interchange for PS racks?

[offthahook]

Well, looks like the 84 has a nice leak and I think it is the rack and pinion. I have power steering. I always thought that 82-5 was the correct interchange, but I have since heard the 3 and 4 doors have different units. I also heard that 84 and 85 units are different from 82 and 83 units. I do NOT want to "modify" or "make it fit" because there are slight differences. Honda shows a couple different part numbers for the various years and styles and I usually agree with how they do it. BUT, there are a lot of websites listing 82-5 as the same unit. Anyone know for sure? Thanks.

[2ndGenGuy]

Hmm, I know that the crossmembers are quite different on the 82-83 vs the 84-85... I wouldn't be surprised if the racks were different too. Though they do have the same front suspension, with slightly different endlinks on the swaybars... Man that's a tough call. I'd pick it up locally and just see if they match up, though that could leave you without the 84 for a few days if it's not the right one... I get the feeling that they will work from 82-85, but I'm not 100% certain. Wow this is a useless reply! :)

[Placebo]

lol! That has to be the funniest ending to post on this sight. :lol:

[Placebo]

In all honesty I don't know, but I replaced mine for '84 hatch with a rebuilt one that worked perfectly. That's not to say I didn't get lucky from the part's store, because I'm sure we've all been through the "Oh you wanted the hatchback one?" routine. "Yes I did, that's why I said 'Hatchback' when I placed the order." That said, I would hope that the dealership has their shit together enough to tell you the right part number. I usually check first through College Hills Honda so I can see the part and part number myself.
http://www.collegehillshonda.com/genuine_honda_parts_catalog.htm
You can cross-reference that with other sites, like:
http://www.hondapartsdeals.com/
I'm sure there are many others. I think the college hills setup makes it easy to find parts.

[offthahook]

In all honesty I don't know, but I replaced mine for '84 hatch with a rebuilt one that worked perfectly. That's not to say I didn't get lucky from the part's store, because I'm sure we've all been through the "Oh you wanted the hatchback one?" routine. "Yes I did, that's why I said 'Hatchback' when I placed the order." That said, I would hope that the dealership has their shit together enough to tell you the right part number. I usually check first through College Hills Honda so I can see the part and part number myself.
http://www.collegehillshonda.com/genuine_honda_parts_catalog.htm
You can cross-reference that with other sites, like:
http://www.hondapartsdeals.com/
I'm sure there are many others. I think the college hills setup makes it easy to find parts.

Yeah, I checked the college hills site and they listed different part numbers. That doesn't necessarily mean that 82-5 sedan and 3 doors won't interchange, it just means there is a difference (probably very minor) somewhere that may not really affect anything. I've found there are cases where Honda part numbers are different, but there is more "interchangeability" than what Honda says. For example, I know Honda really gets specific about their old carbs. being different for different trims, emissions, transmissions, etc., but there is some interchange that Honda doesn't tell you about. I'll just hit up CarQuest I guess; they seem to be pretty informed.