Cabbystrophic Steering Rack failure...

PDX Cabby · Post by **PDX Cabby** » Sat Sep 25, 2004 1:16 am

anyone have much steering rack experience?

took my car in for an alignment the other week. The guy running the alignment rack flagged me down and recognized immediately that i do all the work on my car. He took me down into the pit and showed me what he saw wrong.

The big deal is that (through the split steering rack boot) that my steering rack has A LOT of play. Before i go and spent $97 on a new rack, is this something i can take care of with the steering rack adjustment screw? Or do i need to find a garage to drop my motor and replace my rack??

Post by **Calimus** » Sat Sep 25, 2004 2:15 am

What kind of play? I've never seen a rack with play to be honest. Well, not unless the seals were shot. The only other place I can think of there being play might be in the initial gear itself, but I'd think that is pretty rare since there is basicly no stress on it thanks to the invention of presurized fluids.

Even still, if there is an adjustment screw, it should help take care of that so long as the play is in the main steering gear and not in one of the arms. If it's an arm, all I can think that would cause it is a bad seal, but then you should have a fluid leak as well. Let me know whats up.

PDX Cabby · Post by **PDX Cabby** » Sat Sep 25, 2004 10:41 am

should have mentioned its a manual rack

but, yeah was odd. We were both under the car and the guy reaches through the steering rack boot, and wiggles the steering rack around from within the rack housing. From what i could see the rack bushings didn't move at all. Wish i could have seen if the steering wheel was moving...

Post by **Calimus** » Sun Sep 26, 2004 1:13 am

Sounds like the worm gear is about shot. You can try adjusting it with the adjustment screw, that may be all you need, or it may not. If not, it's rack swap time unfortunatly. Unless there is a way to swap ou the gearbox wihtout pulling the engine or rack. I really don't know since all I have are PS cars. Cept for the toyota and there is enough room around the steering gearbox to add another engine.

sixsracing · Post by **sixsracing** » Mon Sep 27, 2004 9:08 am

The adjustment screw will only take the play out of the "tower". If the play is at the ends where the inner tie rods connect you need to rebuild or replace the rack. The rack can be replaced without removing the motor, take a careful look around and it will become clear. You just looked at it quick and panicked. From what I have read from you and about you this job is well within your level.

PDX Cabby · Post by **PDX Cabby** » Mon Sep 27, 2004 9:12 pm

yeah
i gave it a bit of thought and realize i could easily slide things back and forth...
if i can pull drive shafts without pulling ball joints, i don't need to drop the motor for a rack...

parts store near by has racks for $97. i've got a pair of poly bushings somewhere. so, now i just need a damn garage... ug... and i have to manage to talk myself out of going crazy on new tierods too

sixsracing · Post by **sixsracing** » Tue Sep 28, 2004 8:09 am

My garage is always open, it may take awhile to get here though.