Thanks for the reply! I was wondering if I could just cut out that center panel from an OEM hitch and use it. Well, maybe if I keep the car around for a while I may find a new bumper skin and try that. My bumper skin has a big gouge in it with some chipping paint, which will probably get worse over time. We will see how much it bugs me.

Developed a clunk and creak in the steering. Tracked it down to the rack and then to a loose pinion tension bolt. Tightened it up and it's no longer creaking or clunking.

Self centering is still fine.

I sense a rack replacement in the not too distant future, though.

Good job finding that!


I had a steering wobble that turned out to be worn steering gear. I bought a used one but before I installed it my car was totaled. PM if you'd like to arrange a deal

I appreciate the offer, but i'll be going with a rebuilt rack when I do. If I'm going to put in the effort, you know...

And yeah, tracking it down was a little annoying. It was hard to localize. Had to break out the stethoscope to track in down. It was almost equally loud on both sides, and wouldn't make noise if the suspension was unloaded. End up having to put it on stands, and then jack up the suspension just short of lifting off the stands.

Lots of connected metal and sound travels 17x faster in steel than air so it's literally possible for sound to find a path behind you then the closest visual path.

Yeah. I've had that experience before. Front clunk that I was absolutely certain was in the rear.

My favorite was when the sound from a latch for my convertible that was in front of my head was far louder behind my head. Sound went though a rib between the latch and the first hinge in the roof.

OK, after further driving, there's definitely a balance between clunk and steering centering that I'm riding with this rack.

So yeah, it'll definitely get replaced in the not too distant future.

I had somebody steer through the play when engine off and with hand on the rack could definitely feel the clunk when the gear lash was caught up.

I had a wobble (think shopping cart) on certain roadways where the crown of the road didn't bias the wheels one way or the other. Felt just like worn front control arm worm out.

thrust arms and ball joint replacement, windshield rubber strip replaced, and oil pan gasket replaced

tomorrow we install the V8 mufflers and xpipe