Steering Rack Questions / Problems

[nole99]

I am posting this in hopes of getting some feedback from those who have swapped out the rack, had the rack replaced, rebuilt the rack, or just taken the rack apart.

I took my truck to the third different dealer today for some noises that seem to be associatted with the rack or steering system. Symtoms are as follows:

1 ~ clunking over any sort of uneven pavement that has been getting worse over three months
2 ~ thudish pop from front end after that happens during the following
a ~ making a turn and wheel is staightening up
b ~ occurs when turning into a parking space
c ~ occurs when turning wheel from 45 degree on way to 45 degree the
other or if driving in an arc and then yanking wheel fast the other way
2 ~ Massive bump steer
3 ~ Alignment gone out after a few weeks three times in last 2 months

The reason I suspect the rack is based on what I have read here as well as the fact that every other part has been fixed except the pass upper ball joint.

In addition when I grab the tie rod on either side and yank on it I hear the same thudish clunk inside the housing of the rack.

Not having ever taken one of these pups apart I am not familiar with the guts. The dealer said that the motion I get when pulling on the rack is normal as there is a "pre tension spring" that allows for that inside the housing, yet when comparing to 10 brand new ranger's with the same rack there is no motion at all on any of them. The dealer is replacing the one ball joint on the passenger side and seems to be convinced that is the sound I am hearing...we shall see...but I want to be prepared because I told them I have had it with ford and do not want this back until the noise is gone. I honestly do not think that the pass ball joint is going to solve this as I hear the noise with my window down, coming from the driver side to middle of the front and feel it in the floor board, but who knows ....

So I guess my questions just surround the basic construction of the rack and whether that play is normal, if it weren't under warranty I would just yank the rack and thow in a used one to see, although I am tempted to do it

btw rig has new inner and out tie rods, ball joints, hub assemblies, cv shafts, shock and tires.

Thanks

 

[Alec]

Sounds like the rack to me.

Could be something simple and stupid like the rack not mounted properly too.

I've had good luck with NTB lately, maybe you can take it to them, give them $20 or so and ask them to put it up on a rack and inspect it.

 

[nole99]

Sounds like the rack to me.

Could be something simple and stupid like the rack not mounted properly too.

I've had good luck with NTB lately, maybe you can take it to them, give them $20 or so and ask them to put it up on a rack and inspect it.

Thanks Alec ... Unfortunately NTB closed all their stores here about a year ago ...

Someone Anyone know the guts ... as in what part/s of the rack would wear to cause the problem ... I am thinking somehthing like the bushings in the rack housing that hold the rack (not the acctual bushing that mount it to the crossmember) ...

Fingers crossed here ... dealer said upper ball joint would be done on early friday morning ...it is now late friday evening ... yet to back ....

I am hoping that they are further investigating the noises and symtoms ... after all I did politely ask that they please drive the truck after the repair of the Balljoint, as well as politely state that I did want it back until the problem was gone ...

 

[nole99]

Ughhh .... I am starting to hate ford ... 5:30 the call came truck is done ... I asked if the noise was gone and was told that "they are satisfied with the repair" but I could drive it when I pick it up on Sat.

Well I could not take the suspense so I went and drove it ... noises still there ...should be a fun saturday morning

Could really use some input on the rack pretty please with sugar

 

[RickOTR]

Just buy a new or rebuilt rack and put it in. You need special tools to take it apart and a press to put the seals in. The Ford original ball joints are junk and won't last. I replaced mine with moog and have been happy with them.

 

[Bottomlesspit]

Nole
When I bought my used 99 it drove great for a short time. Then all of a sudden........the thud, thump , etc noises started. It was EXACTLY as you describe yours. I had luckily bought one of those extended warranty things so I took it to Ford. They found the steering rack was chewed up inside. There are gear type teeth inside the rack, and if the wheel is turned, hit, bumped, or just a poorly constructed rack, those teeth break off.
They put a rebuilt rack on and problem solved.
If I had no warranty, I would have headed to Auto Zone and got a rebuilt rack. I got one from them for my Mustang 4 years ago, and it was $110.00 The install only took about an hour. I imagine the X might be easier with the additional working room under there?
That's my 2 cents, but you brought back memories!
Hope you get it solved quickly.BTW, RickOTR is correct, NO WAY do you want to try to work on your old rack. Just use it as a core!!!
Ken

 

[nole99]

Just buy a new or rebuilt rack and put it in. You need special tools to take it apart and a press to put the seals in. The Ford original ball joints are junk and won't last. I replaced mine with moog and have been happy with them.

Thanks for the reply gents' I agree about putting a new one in ... after all it is under warranty, but regardless ...

I was Just looking for insight as to the make up and problem points becasue I felt the dealer was blowing smoke about the "pre tensioner spring" in the rack as well as my problem being normal in the design.

Saturday was a peach ... was told that they drove "3 brand spankin new ones" and they all make the noise ... Today (monday) when I inquired as to which 3 they drove the shop foreman told me to talk to a sales rep ... service rep even went so far as to tell me Ford could basically care less about the probelm with my 99 and there was no way in hell they would send someone out to assist in finding the problem ... When I asked him to put in writing that there was absolutly no problem and my condition was normal and they could care leass about the noise ... much to my surprise ... he declined ... I was not amused ... however I did walk the service manager over to the "brand spankin new" ranger sitting in the showroom and show him how yanking on the tie rod yields no clunk ... then proceed to show him how mine does have a clunk ... went for a ride gave some background on others similiar experiences and solutions and they are going to "re-evaluate the problem"

I expect them to call and tell me everything is okay that my problem is normal, I will again ask for it in writing and supply them the info from the dealer who fixed southernsnakes problem ...

Today I hate ford and have begun to question why I ever bought one ... ohh yeah according to the service writer ..."it is not a ford problem ... it's a lincoln mercury problem" ....

rant over and forward we move

 

[Bordo9]

Same Problem

I"ve got the same exact thing going on. Anyone know what was found out about this problem so I can lead the Tech's in the right direction. Thanks.

 

[nole99]

I"ve got the same exact thing going on. Anyone know what was found out about this problem so I can lead the Tech's in the right direction. Thanks.

The dealer replaced my steering rack and much of my noises dissappeared and my truck has kept it's alignment since.

I still however had a few remaining noises and clunks at certain points.

I replaced the lower control arms and the new bushings eliminated a few more noises.

Now I have one remaining sound left and it seems to resonate from the differential up front, did some trouble shooting to eliminate sources and removing the diff seems to have eliminated the problem.

Took her to an independant shop for their oppinion and we shall see, worst case I get into the diff myself.

 

[92nred]

Steering Concerns

I am having the same problem with my 97. Noise sounds like a grinding when I turn left or right or when I hit a bump or uneven surface. My mechanic shot some grease into the tyrod ends (in the Boots) but that didn't help. When I get underneath the front end the noise appears to come from the middle of the steering rack when I move the front end up and down. I am new to this forum and you posted some time ago and I was wondering if you resolved you steering problem?

92nred

 

[rscamaro73]

This is all pretty interesting.

ESPECIALLY since you have a 99.

Now, the 'original' passenger side upper control arm - was it a 2 piece unit ?
My 99 X (2wd, 5.0L, 4dr) had a 2 piece, and when I went ot replace it, all I could find was a 1 piece.

Now, some background on mine - I got in an accident in Feb and hit on the driver side front corner. BUT my pass side upper ball joint broke. ?? Anyhows...since replacing it I have a NOTICABLE toe out that wasn't there before...but I'll yank on the rack now and check it out. My PS pump is already squealing like a banshee and is due for replacment in a few days. I tried turning it and all I got was some 'shuddering' as the steering wheel was turned.

EDIT

Looked around and my rack is snug, no movement.
THERE IS something bent...and that's the rear lower control arm bracket on the pass side (WTF?) and now the torsion bar is binding....almost looks bent.

Anyone have a picture of the lower front end of their X ?? I need to be able to see the torsion bar mounting holes in detail....

:fire:

Hmmm....guess I'll swing out & check it...then go to bed and think about it....

Thanks for all the information so far (and its not isolated to just Ford dealers, alot are like that - they lose money on warranty work)

 

[nole99]

This is all pretty interesting.

ESPECIALLY since you have a 99.

Now, the 'original' passenger side upper control arm - was it a 2 piece unit ?
My 99 X (2wd, 5.0L, 4dr) had a 2 piece, and when I went ot replace it, all I could find was a 1 piece........

Looked around and my rack is snug, no movement.
THERE IS something bent...and that's the rear lower control arm bracket on the pass side (WTF?) and now the torsion bar is binding....almost looks bent.

Anyone have a picture of the lower front end of their X ?? I need to be able to see the torsion bar mounting holes in detail....

What part do you need a picture of (front or rear) I took a bunch when I replaced the lower arms just haven't got around to posting the steps and pics ... lemme know if I do not have one I will take one of what you need ...

Here is one that shows the control arm and the torsion mounted inside

 

[rscamaro73]

The angle I need is if you lay down in front of the truck and take a picture of the control arms to show the depth the torsion bar sits in the very front of the control arm (which would be towards the left side in the picture you posted).

I have a noticable difference in mine, but I wanna see one that's not wrecked in the front to compare to so I know which since is the most messed up....lol.