How do I know when the Rack and Pinion is bad?

[JoshC]

Hey fellas, what's happening? I've got another question. How do I know when my rack is bad? I replaced my PS pump and the belt last week and it seems be harder to steer when i'm turning right. I was driving off road last night and it seemed to work just fine in the ruts and in 4wd too. I did put a different pump on it. I grabbed the wrong one off the shelf at work and put one on it from an 89 V8 superduty ford. Everything was the same except for the fitting that the pressure hose screws into, so i swaped those out. I wouldn't think that that would make it be doing that do you all. I know my belt isn't lose cause it isn't squeaking and my alt. seems to be charging. By the way my X has 97k miles on it, what do you think?

Thanks in advance!

Happy trailes!

 

[mrboyle]

The pump you grabbed is designed to run a different steering system than the R&P on your X. It may be possible that the pressure regulator in the pump is not allowing the pump to create enough pressure to properly opperate your system.
From my experience most rack failures result in either a major leak, or binding/skipping in the steering. I doubt your problem is a symptom of the rack failing (but I have been known to be wrong).

 

[JoshC]

Well considering you are ASE certified I think i'll go with what you said, I was thinking kinda the same thing, but one of the at work said it wouldn't do it, but who knows. Thanks for you help man!

Happy trailes!