Steering Rack question for techs
 

Hi all,
Is it normal to have ANY play in the steering rack pole with the teeth on it? Meaning, if you grab the inner rod attached to it and work it up & down, should there be ANY movable up/down play visible with it? I have a click/clunk noise when turning and was going to have my mech replace the inner/outer tie rods, but he found "play" in the rack. There is NO click/clunk in the steering while the car is on the lift and the tires are OFF(I did it myself to test). I am at a loss of what could be causing the click/clunk and don't welcome spending over a thousand bucks to replace rack with reman'd one. I searched "Steering Rack rebuild" on here and read a couple posts by Weasel and others about other possibilities. I'm very confused and frustrated.

Steve

If I can remember correctly, yes. I was working on my 01 4.4i. I removed the tie rod from the knuckle and pushed it aside, putting it back on, the inner rack does have play, but I don't have a clunk. My clunk was gone after replacing the swing supports on both sides. It says 122K miles, when was the last time the ball joints for the Tension strut to wheel carrier replaced and the Swing supports on both sides replaced?

Have you Checked the double steering joint? The part on the pass side in engine bay. Lithium grease has helped others.

Wouldn't you guys suspect that since he's testing *without* any load on the suspension/steering...he's likely to *not* get the clicking/clunking?

Blackjetvette97...did you already try the lithium grease spray that I posted on your other thread? If you haven't....you've got nothing to lose. Seriously, it's like $4 for a can of that stuff.

If that doesn't help, I'd get the car in the air but on something like an alignment rack. That way, there's a load on your suspension and steering. You turn the wheel back and forth while someone is listening for the noise location.

I don't know about the rack and the amount of play that is acceptable. I wouldn't buy a new rack until I was certain it was causing the issue.

I'm not following your statement about if it is under load or not. He mentioned there was a clicking sound when the car is under load. Then with no load he mentioned he can move the tie rod.

Do you mean he should play with the steering while under load to find the noise or on the lift, no load and play with the steering?

I take it that he's NOT getting clicking/clunking when the car is in the air...wheels aren't touching the ground and wheels have been removed.

Seems to me that he needs to get the car's suspension loaded and listen for clicking/clunking. If I'm right...I think something like an alignment rack would be a good way to achieve getting the car in the air but still have the wheels planted and thus loading the suspension.

The clicking/clunking is obviously something that's binding, no? If the suspension isn't loaded...it's not binding the part that's making the noise.

Well anyway...it's all clear in my head:rofl:

Hi all,
Just an update that it WAS my steering rack. I got it rebuilt and it is very tight, with absolutely NO PLAY AT ALL! It was reman'd by a Co called ATSCO in Phoenix, AZ. Rack is NOT supposed to move AT ALL! My tech had the car on the ground, over his pit, and could "feel" the clunk in the rack as the steering was turned with load. He discovered the loose rack after preparing to change out the tie rods. Must've been binding in there or somethin. Anyway, all is well now and the steering is tight with absolutely no noise or clunks. Steering linkage, etc was lubed as well upon reassembly. Hopefully, no more issues for another 120K!


Steve