Still Pulls to Left After Alignment

[dogfriend]

Its actually a rack and pinion type. I looked for a spec on allowable play in the steering gear and didn't find anything. I did find this symptom chart:

 

[gavin]

it is rack and pinion? hmm.. ok. Everywhere I looked said "steering gear" so I assumed it wasn't rack and pinion.

and that chart points to a bad steering gear.. bah.

 

[jfman]

Two words : Tire Pressure


Make sure it the same in both tires.

 

[gavin]

2 sets of tires, same issue.
air pressure had been checked in both sets.
Not the problem.
And I doubt air pressure would make that much of a difference, unless there was a 20in/lb difference, which would be physically noticeable by looking at the tires.

 

[dogfriend]

From the chart above, I would check if the rack (steering gear) was bolted on tight and hope that it wasn't. Otherwise you are probably looking at replacing it.

 

[gavin]

From the chart above, I would check if the rack (steering gear) was bolted on tight and hope that it wasn't. Otherwise you are probably looking at replacing it.

that's my plan for Saturday. I already attempted to check it yesterday, but was only able to get a wrench on the top nut, and yeah I couldn't tighten it, but no clue what the torque specs are on it currently.
Could it possibly be the steering gear isolators? That's my only other idea other than replacing it.
And the only thing with replacing it, is the work... gonna be a pita, but price ain't too bad on a new (or remanu'ed) one.

 

[dogfriend]

I have the torque specs for it

 

[gavin]

I have the torque specs for it

that's not what I meant.. I got that info. But thanks though
I meant I have no clue how tight the nuts/bolts are tightened down. It's atleast enough I can't tighten the nut with a stubby wrench.

 

[gavin]

well I got a little tug out of the bolts, but they certainly weren't loose. They're at over 150ft/lbs
so it's either isolators or steering gear... and my bet goes to the gear... argh

 

[gavin]

gonna try replacing the inner and outer tierods tomorrow and see what happens from there. If that's no help then it's replacing the steering gear.. ugh

 

[Doug 5.0]

how much play would be acceptable? The steering gear is a worm-gear type, correct? And don't worm-gears always have atleast a little bit of play?

a slight bit of play is normal and yes it is a worm gear :exp:

 

[dogfriend]

1st Gen Explorers use a Recirculating Ball type of Steering Gear which has a Pitman Arm that moves the steering linkage.

2nd Gen Explorers use a Rack and Pinion type of Steering Gear that attaches directly to the tie rod ends.

 

[gavin]

a slight bit of play is normal and yes it is a worm gear :exp:

ugh.. this is killin me. I know my 33s need rebalanced.
And I'm thinkin my rotors might possibly (a big maybe) be warped. Gonna check on those tomorrow. I think I'm feeling a little surging when I put on the brakes, and hold the pedal in one spot... not sure though. Front calipers have been replaced once I believe so those should be good. Rear brakes have never been touched, except for adjusting the parking brake.
No more "clunking" sound/feel from the front end anymore like I was having.

 

[gavin]

well I do believe I may have found part of the culprit.
I replaced my rotors yesterday, thinking they might possibly be warped or something.
So I splurged and got a set of cross-drilled and slotted rotors.
*MOST* of the nasty vibes driving at highway speeds are gone! I believe all that's left is to get my tires balanced.
It also does not seem to pull near as bad, but I will find out tomorrow on my way to work.