[John_AZ]

Randy, Welcome to the Pelican Board.

WOW! You have extreme enthusiasm. And from what you have posted you have done some searching and have a very good idea of what needs to be done.

You can help me if you begin on one area of repair first.

From what you have posted, you want to start on the front end. This can easily be a $1000 parts cost. Front struts should be an easy start. IMO go with Bilstein or Boge/Sachs (OEM). Koni are very expensive and KYB are very inexpensive and may not last long.
Get all the front rubber bushings. With your PS pump, hoses and rack leaking. Drain the fluid, regrease the rack gear shafts and enjoy the feel of a stiff manual rack until you can replace with either a rebuilt PS rack as you have posted or swap with a manual.
If you feel the tie rod ends are dangerous, these can be replaced with any number of aftermarket makers. You do need to get an alignment or carefully do a front DIY-check tech section-top radio buttons^^


These are just suggestions for the front. Pelican Parts, or sponsor, has very good prices. I think you will go over the $6000 mark if you continue to have a shop do the work.

You need to avoid any "new" damage. Did you get any receipts from the PO? Did you have the shop do a complete PPI?
DID YOU REPLACE THE CAM BELT?

The next area and post to cover would be the rear.
The rear transaxle plate on the passenger side is sealed with Permatex-no "O" rings so that would stop the leak. The striped bolt is an easy common fix. It sounds like another perspective buyer knew to check the rack and pinion for missing teeth, steel shavings and slop. Many other things to check in the rear as well.

Again Welcome
John_AZ
1988 924S + 1987 924S