u/Prize-Concentrate138

I have an 05 with 160k. It's been a fantastic car, few small maintenance things done in the year I've owned it. Im a professional automotive technician for a living. I have a really odd issue with my E. The steering is much lighter to the left than the right. To the extent that it pulls left pretty noticeably. I have fudged my alignment to force a right pull to compensate for this issue. I am almost 100% confident the orbital valve in the steering rack has failed, causing a pressure bias to the left.

Has anyone else had this issue? If so what was the solution.

Has anyone had any good luck with an aftermarket new or remanufactured steering rack? If so what brand. New from Honda doesn't exist anymore, I asked.

I work at a small independent shop. Just me as the main tech, doing heavy line, diagnostic work, and everything in between. I have almost every tool I need, and 7 years experience. The owner works full time but mostly manages. He does the occasional small job when I'm too busy. A junior tech, with about 6 months experience. (6 months experience but fantastic mechanical aptitude). And finally a new guy with 8 years of what I would call lube bay experience.

My problem is this, I am a flat rate tech who is constantly called away from whatever task I am working on to help the other guys. Other guys being junior tech, and the older lube fella. I love to help and I was once the guy who had to ask for help. But at a certain point when I am slowed down the entire shop suffers. There are certain situations where the junior tech will "apprentice" for me and he will do for example a clutch on a Toyota truck. I will help him as much as he needs because in this situation I get flagged for the hours billed on that ticket.

I love to help but I also don't get paid to help. Is this just the situation I'm in? I suppose I would rather be slowed down and help if it prevents a car being sent out repaired incorrectly. Should I be saying no I'm too busy?

I'm averaging 49.5 hours a week for the last 6 months. So I'm not starving. But it sure is nice to be able to focus on fixing my cars and flag 12+ hours in one day.