Stripped Coupling Flange @ Steering Pinion

[rarelement]

I saw a related post about sloppy steering feel but this jumped the shark right to failure so I thought I'd post a new thread. I felt some play in the steering recently and knew it would be time to look under the lid soon but pulling into the grocery store parking lot, the steering wheel spun in my hands and I knew it was gone. Thankfully just at 45 degrees into a spot and not at 50mph...

So, upon opening it all up, I noticed the nut holding the "Coupling Flange" had dropped off, the teeth on the flange itself seemed to have halfway worn away - in fact there was a ton of shavings in the housing of the rack. This Coupling Flange and the locking nut that are part of the rack and pinion assembly seem to not have part numbers or be available separately.

I'd be keen to just replace the flange and nut but I am willing to get a refurbished rack considering I don't know what other damage may have been done past the pinion. Any opinions? Anywhere to buy the flange? Ditch the whole rack and get a new or refurbished one?

[Harpo]

Wow that could have been so much worse. Go buy a lottery ticket ASAP. It looks like the shaft coming out of the gear looks like it might be OK. Although it is probably a good time to rebuild the rack.

[john walker's workshop]

Had that happen once when I was pulling a car into the shop to check for steering slop. Woah!