Steering still loose

[Lazzman]

After I replaced the Intermediate steering shaft on my 1998 sport I thought my loose steering problems would be over. Unfortunately they are still present and I do not know why.

There is not play in the steering wheel but rather the steering feels loose, like when you hit a bump at speed it wobbles all over the place. The steering is also a bit notchy and feels stiffer when turning to one side than the other.

I am thinking it is the steering rack, which now has 165k mi on it. I was wondering how difficult it is to replace a steering rack on an Explorer? Also any suggestions as to what this problem could be besides the steering rack?

The suspention components such as ball joints and shocks in the front are all new.

This problem is particularly aggrivating as it makes my otherwise excellent running vehicle feel like a junker

 

[Turdle]

The "sticky" feeling could be the rack--

However-the bumpsteer symptom I believe is an alignment issue-is your truck lowered by chance?

 

[Lazzman]

Nope not lowered.

It is in need of an alignment though after the replacement of the steering shaft and inner tie rod.

The last bum shop that did my alignment left the steering wheel about 1/8th to the left off center and could not correct the problem. I did not get it re-aligned at that time because I was waiting to install the intermediate shaft.

I can still feel sway and tire play through the wheel when going over small bumps, especially on the high way. Its like the tires want to go there own way even though I am holding the wheel firmly.

 

[aldive]

Get it aligned right away.

 

[Lazzman]

I do not believe it is the alignment.

I can feel the front wheels moving from side to side at highway speeds through the steering wheel, even though the wheel is straight the tires seem to be moving of their own will. If you take your hands off the wheel you can see the side to side motion. Also the steering is stiffer on one side and looser on the other.

Do I need to do anything special when installing a new steering gear? Is it necessary to use new Teflon Seals, if so where abouts do the new seals go?

Thanks

 

[jmhill5290]

I'm having very similar symptoms and problems with my 08 Mountaineer and have a new rack & pinion and also the alignment is good! I haven't replaced intermediate steering shaft but replaced pretty much every else up front suspension wise. But my steering wheel turns VERY easy and turns on its own while driving also my steering while to tires isn't loose at all!

 

[410Fortune]

This thread is for a gen ii truck,95-01 which is way different the. Your 08. The thread is also 17 years old

Your 08 also has tie rods and ball joints at the rear axle

Whose rack and pinion did you use and who installed it? Did you replace the outer tie rods as well?

Some of the cheaper rack and pinions are not worth the box they ship in

 

[jmhill5290]

This thread is for a gen ii truck,95-01 which is way different the. Your 08. The thread is also 17 years old

Your 08 also has tie rods and ball joints at the rear axle

Whose rack and pinion did you use and who installed it? Did you replace the outer tie rods as well?

Some of the cheaper rack and pinions are not worth the box they ship in

I know about the thread being for a 2nd Gen. I'm trying to find any info/advice that I can! I got a rack & pinion from Advanced Auto. I replaced inner & outer tie rods.

 

[410Fortune]

Check your work! Make sure the rack is not loose in its mounts, watch it work as somebody else turns the wheel side to side

I’ll assume you replaced the rack because you had loose steering before? Could it be in the rear suspension?

A front and rear shake down test is needed. Using a jack and pry bar you need to look for any looseness in the ball joints and tie rods front and rear

You said alignment is good, does this mean a shop did the alignment and gave you an all clear?

 

[410Fortune]

Just fyi i install / replace 3-5 rack and pinions in an average year. Last year I had two units right out of the box faulty… one was so bad it was skipping a tooth right out of the box! This was a new unit not reman. Trying to save some money bit us in the ass! I ordered a Toyota oem rack and the issue was fixed on the wife’s FJ cruise… cost me a bunch more $$$ in the end
I have seen some reman units with soft rubber bushings and the rack was moving 1/2” or more side to side in its mounts… not good
These are two faulty racks I found in 2023 one was a parts store reman and one was cheap china right out of the box

 

[jmhill5290]

Check your work! Make sure the rack is not loose in its mounts, watch it work as somebody else turns the wheel side to side

I’ll assume you replaced the rack because you had loose steering before? Could it be in the rear suspension?

A front and rear shake down test is needed. Using a jack and pry bar you need to look for any looseness in the ball joints and tie rods front and rear

You said alignment is good, does this mean a shop did the alignment and gave you an all clear?

I did the alignment, I've worked in shops and have done it before. When driving the wheel is super easy to turn. When I hit any bump/groove in the road the wheel turns on its own! I've jacked it up and have checked for play but found nothing. When I drive it then the front tires do pitch a tiny bit from say a 88deg position to 92deg, I jack it back up they go to 90deg/vertical. Then I check for play and don't find anything. Someone suggested that I may not have got all the air out of the new rack& pinion im about to try that right now. Also I already have new hubs/bearings and am about to swap those too. Any thoughts?

 

[410Fortune]

Yes don’t throw parts at it you don’t need
Does it need new wheel bearings? If so that means you found looseness or grinding in the current hubs, not just throwing parts at it


Did you bleed all the air out or no? When installing a new rack or pump or anything in the ps system you have to do a bleed. Front tires in air turn rack full lock to full lock with engine running… hold the wheel at full lock on both sides for a moment. Repeat this until all air bubbles stop. Power steering fluid get aerated quickly and will foam up… if this happens you have to give it time to settle back into Liquid and then do the bleeding again

Any air in the system can cause what you describe, yes

 

[jmhill5290]

I did see some foam

Yes don’t throw parts at it you don’t need
Does it need new wheel bearings? If so that means you found looseness or grinding in the current hubs, not just throwing parts at it


Did you bleed all the air out or no? When installing a new rack or pump or anything in the ps system you have to do a bleed. Front tires in air turn rack full lock to full lock with engine running… hold the wheel at full lock on both sides for a moment. Repeat this until all air bubbles stop. Power steering fluid get aerated quickly and will foam up… if this happens you have to give it time to settle back into Liquid and then do the bleeding again

Any air in the system can cause what you describe, yes

On top of ps reservoir 2 days ago. I'm going try to check what u suggested now. Thanks and I'll let you know what happens shortly!