Loose Rack&Pinion?

[strictly11]

Hey all, new to the Explorers.
I was chasing a bad tire. RF to be exact. While checking suspension and steering, I found considerable sidetoside movement in the steering. I could move the wheel sidetoside and the movement would go through the rack to the other wheel and up to the steering wheel. Tie rods are tight, inner and outer. Everything moved together, but it felt like it was too easy to move it as if there was air in the rack, or not enough fluid. It is a noisy pump, fluid level is good, I'm suspecting the pump is on it's way out?
Is it normal on the Explorers for this easy of movement?

 

[koda2000]

I'm not sure exactly what you're feeling, but the p/s rack is mounted on 2 large rubber bushings, I assume so it doesn't transfer bumps back through the steering wheel.

 

[strictly11]

Bushings were good. The rack stayed in place.
I'll try and explain it better: as I turn the wheel to the left and right, as if to check for tie rod issues, this turns the other wheel and the steering wheel all in sync as if they're is no play. Just seemed like it was way too easy to turn by hand..
An alignment was done last week, and I think they would have said they couldn't do it if there was actual play in the system....

 

[koda2000]

Bushings were good. The rack stayed in place.
I'll try and explain it better: as I turn the wheel to the left and right, as if to check for tie rod issues, this turns the other wheel and the steering wheel all in sync as if they're is no play. Just seemed like it was way too easy to turn by hand..
An alignment was done last week, and I think they would have said they couldn't do it if there was actual play in the system....

I don't think you have a problem, however if you are turning the wheels with the engine off you will introduce air into the system. If there is air in the system driving the vehicle can be a scary experience when turning a corner (violet shaking/shuttering in the steering wheel). This air can be easily purged by doing some figure eights turning the steering wheel lock-to-lock in a parking lot by driving slowly.

 

[strictly11]

The steering wheel was in lock position with the key off. So I could only turn them so far. Going to check again tonight with it running and having hydraulic pressure in the rack. I do know it was driven for quite awhile before I bought it with no alignment after new balljoints. Left side was okay, right side was off 2deg causing cambered tire wear, and pulling to the right so steering was held to the left to compensate which puts the pump into question.. but I think the rack itself is okay