What to look for on new parts before installing? (1 Viewer)

[Shiggy]

Recently got my Rack & pinion, front cv axles, lower control arms, and a few other things and with how beat up the boxes were from shipping (CA to CO) I of course had to give them a once over before installing anything.
I noticed the steering rack had leaked some kind of lubricant from the end with the spindle that goes off at a 60 degree angle. All the boots and seals look good, but that prompted the question for me as someone without much experience as to how I should be inspecting my parts past the obvious “does stuff that should move move, are boots intact and pliable, and are seals visually whole”.

 

[excessive]

If it is damaged, I'd ask for a replacement. Same thing happened to me. ordered the $900+ VGRS steering rack during one of the Lexus sales, and it came in the Lex/Toyota box with no packing material whatsoever, not double boxed or anything. The rack was flopping around in the box, tie rod ends were hanging out of giant holes in the box and it looked like the box had gone through a war. Even the threads on the ends of the tie rods were slightly damaged from being banged around so hard. I took pics of it, and send them to the seller. They sent me a new one. I didn't want to chance it.

 

[Shiggy]

If it is damaged, I'd ask for a replacement. Same thing happened to me. ordered the $900+ VGRS steering rack during one of the Lexus sales, and it came in the Lex/Toyota box with no packing material whatsoever, not double boxed or anything. The rack was flopping around in the box, tie rod ends were hanging out of giant holes in the box and it looked like the box had gone through a war. Even the threads on the ends of the tie rods were slightly damaged from being banged around so hard. I took pics of it, and send them to the seller. They sent me a new one. I didn't want to chance it.

View attachment 3787083

Yeah that's kind of where i'm at. Just don't want to wait to get this job done, problem is it basically looks fine except for the leak I can't see a definite source for. If they'll let me keep this one I may just send it for now and hold on to a new one just in case. Wish they'd at least thrown some decent packing foam in there

 

[LJE]

Not that this is helpful now, but Serra Toyota packages their parts shipments SUPER well. I'd order a carton of eggs from those guys with confidence that it'd arrive at my door without a single cracked egg.

 

[Shiggy]

Not that this is helpful now, but Serra Toyota packages their parts shipments SUPER well. I'd order a carton of eggs from those guys with confidence that it'd arrive at my door without a single cracked egg.

Will definitely consider them next time. Getting a new R&P shipped out since that's the most at risk, they claimed it comes to them having leaked a bit which I can understand but it taking impacts straight on the threaded ends just has me skeptical. We'll see if they actually use good foam this time lol