You can def see/feel the rack move with the ends still attached and you can def tell it's not the ends. That said I'd like to know more about this "preload" as I've only replaced worn racks i didn't know there's adjustment. I'm guessing some amount of adjustment of how tight the pinion pushes into the rack or something? Of course the rack only wears in the middle so i suspect any tightening will make it bind off center so I'm very curious about this.

I'm all about fixes that can punt a repair until next year though so fill me in!


–awr–

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Andrew, right underneath the driver's side of the rack, you should see a big hex head with an adjustment slot (IIRC).

Loosen the hex head and you can use a screwdriver to tighten or loosen to increase/decrease preload.

I can get knocking to go away but rack gets too tight. Rack probably too far gone. Hope you can adjust yours out.

Had a new set of inner and outer tie rods delivered today. I was going to to do it on Sunday but now I'm having to replace the rear hatch handle on the daughters Freelander as it's broken due to heavy handedness no doubt..
I did notice this morning on my X5 that when I shook the steering wheel from side to side I could hear and feel an audible clunk in the rack area. When I started the engine it almost went away. Odd.