Rack and pinion intermitant???

robertoa1a · November 13, 2009

A few days ago my steering was shaking like crazy while turning the wheel. It has done this before but not this bad. I figured, okay the rack and pinion is shot so I bought a new one.

Today the steering is working fine and I haven't changed anything yet.

The bearings, brakes, rotors, ball joints, and control arm cam bolts are new and installed in accordance with Chilton's and manufacturers instructions.

Now im wondering if the rack is really bad. Am I missing something?

gavin · November 13, 2009

air in the system?

start truck, remove steering fluid reservoir cap, turn steering wheel back and forth several times to bleed the system.

robertoa1a · November 13, 2009

I want to agree and return this rack. This has happened more than once. How do you suppose air is getting in. Mystery leak? There isn't a suction side or a place for air to get in aside from the reservoir. Hmmm?

New cars don't do this so there is a problem somewhere and I'm not missing any fluid.

I put my knees on the sides of the tire and tried to rock the tire listening for noise. It seemed like there was some play if I shook hard enough but now its gone.

robertoa1a · November 13, 2009

I stopped by a shop today and asked how much he would charge just to install the rack that I have sitting in the back seat. Without alignment he said his book says it takes 4.5 mechanic hours and quoted me a price of about $350. If it were around $100 I would do it but at that price I will work all day.

Today it hasn't been giving me any trouble. I kind of agree with the air in the system theory but It keeps coming back and I don't get it. I would love to return this new rack but not if I have to order it again later.

Bill Kemp · November 13, 2009

From the first time I felt trouble with the R & P and added Lucas power steering conditioner it was over a year before I had to actually get it changed.
I used a turkey baster to suck out the fluid and replaced it with the Lucas stuff and then did the same thing a day or so later to put the rest on the bottle of Lucas in the reservoir,
Just a thought...

corkey · November 13, 2009

i had a bit of a rought time with my steering rack too, it did the same thing yours is doing, i actually did the turkey baster thing too, but it got too bad after a while,, so i had mine changed, it took about 4 hours to change at the dealer,, and it is a pita job,,

robertoa1a · November 13, 2009

I will change it while I have one in the back seat. If a hurricane comes I will thank you guys. I feel better now. The air must get in through the rack somewhere. What is the hardest part about getting it out. I have a bad disc in my back that we cant fix.

tclark77 · November 13, 2009

heres what happens...when you turn the wheel with the vehicle off you intriduce air into the system. I made a device out of an old resevoir cap that i can hook my vacuum pump to so i can draw the whole system into a vacuum and remove the air... but I can suggest that you ensure the fluid is full, start the engine hold the rpms up around 2500 and run the steering wheel back and forth from lock to lock 10 or so times and then shut the motor off for a minute or so to let the air come up to the resevoir and repeat until it diminishes. It may take some time as these have a cooler where air becomes trapped. good luck

tom

robertoa1a · November 13, 2009

Did the problem ever come back?

gavin · November 13, 2009

robertoa1a said:
I will change it while I have one in the back seat. If a hurricane comes I will thank you guys. I feel better now. The air must get in through the rack somewhere. What is the hardest part about getting it out. I have a bad disc in my back that we cant fix.

the hardest part? I'm not sure there is one hardest part.

I was going to attempt this a couple weekends ago, but couldn't even get the metal lines off the rack due to lack of room.

then just getting the whole thing outta the frame/crossmember can't be too easy, again with little room to move.

It certainly LOOKS like an easy job, but it isn't. I still have a new rack sitting on my garage floor when I decide to really take the time.

I'm thinking of disconnecting the fluid lines at the reservoir and cooler, instead of at the rack itself.

I looked through my Chiltons and even the AllData, and they both have lifting the engine as part of the process, although I certainly don't see that as being necessary.

robertoa1a · November 13, 2009

This Advance A/P rack coasted $90 and My inner tie rods have provably seen better days.
I'm wondering why this thing is so hard to change outside of removing the sway bar. It looks like there are hydraulic lines in the way.

If someone has maneuvered this thing out before then they can save me time with a few words. I will so appreciate it.

gavin · November 13, 2009

robertoa1a said:
This Advance A/P rack coasted $90 and My inner tie rods have provably seen better days.
I'm wondering why this thing is so hard to change outside of removing the sway bar. It looks like there are hydraulic lines in the way.

If someone has maneuvered this thing out before then they can save me time with a few words. I will so appreciate it.

$90? Luck!

I paid $130 for mine, and that was 20% off.

I've searched for threads on here about replacing this; I swear I remember seeing a post or 2 by 410Fortune, but that was a long time ago, and can't remember where it was or anything.

edit: I found the post http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?p=2136321&highlight=rack+replace#post2136321

robertoa1a · November 13, 2009

I think 410 is on vacation or bought a new car. He had all the answers and pix too.

gavin · November 13, 2009

yup, I was sure it was a post he made on it.
good thing I found it, because I still need to replace rack and pinion.

robertoa1a · November 13, 2009

Thanx a zillion. I didn't think it would be that hard but okay. holy crap he had to jack the engine up and remove a header to get to the engine mount and that was one step.

Wait that was a 4x4 mine isn't. Maybe I have extra room.

tclark77 · November 14, 2009

robertoa1a said:
Did the problem ever come back?

If this indeed applies the problem is caused by turning the wheels with the motor off, so yes if you turn the wheels without the motor running it will happen again

robertoa1a · November 14, 2009

I'm thinking that since I got a good deal on the new unit that perhaps I should install it but only if the old one is dying. Is this a sign of the rack going bad before I replace it? If the new one is going to do this then the work is pointless.

Thanks, everyone for the advice so far.

tclark77 · November 14, 2009

your new one is absolutely going to do this same thing under the same circumstances. If that is your only problem with the rack, don't change it, you old rack is likely a better unit than the cardone reman you bought anyway.

robertoa1a · November 14, 2009

Man what a relief ahhhhhhhhhhh. Thanks tclark77. I still wonder where the air gets in from.

Rigger 19 · December 18, 2009

corkey said:
i had a bit of a rought time with my steering rack too, it did the same thing yours is doing, i actually did the turkey baster thing too, but it got too bad after a while,, so i had mine changed, it took about 4 hours to change at the dealer,, and it is a pita job,,

after you had it changed did it act up again?

Rack and pinion intermitant???

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