To replace rack or inner tie rods??

[Kidd7]

So that is the question. There is some vibration from the front end at highway speeds, play in the steering wheel; side to side. I checked the steering shaft and its solid. I had this same issue on my cougar, replacing the rack really tightened up the steering. So, looking for recommendations: replace the whole rack or just the inner tie rods?

 

[chefduane]

You can replace the inner and outer tie rods fairly easily. A bit of a job put you can do with regular tools. However (IIRC), the inner tie rod does require a special tool to loosen/tighten it. Tool can be rented at any auto parts store. The rack is different story. Real son-of-a-gun to remove/replace. Not much space in there. I had my mech do it. Have you check the fluid? Is it still red? Top it of and them purge the air from the system first. Might address the shaking issue.

 

[1996BLKBauer]

Check to see if you intermediate shaft from the wheel to the rack is in good shape, it may sound stupid, but they can add a lot of slop into the steering.

I would replace the rack, only because it comes with new inner tie rods depending on which one you get.

 

[Kidd7]

Just realized I forgot to add it's 99 Ex 2WD. I had my mechanic do the rack on the cougar, cuz there really is no room. It looked like there was more on the Ex, but this might go to the mechanic also.
To purge; leave the cap off, truck running and turn the wheel side to side till the bubbles stop, is that right?

 

[koda2000]

There's probably even less room to replace the rack on an X. Being 2wd will make it easier though. Slop in the steering is not typically caused by the rack. I'd identify where the play is originating from, replace the inner/outer tie rod ends if necessary and see if that corrects the problem. You can borrow the special tool to do the inner tie rods from the auto parts store (AutoZone, Advance, O'Reilly) but you can also do the job with a good sized pipe wrench (I think there's a STICKY on the subject with pictures).

Here's the link to the STICKY. It's for a 4WD, but the rack and procedure is the same.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=187888

 

[MillerAPF97XLT]

Like most everybody else has said, find the play for sure. I have replaced inner tie rod ends on a high-mileage Tempo and an even higher-mileage Plymouth Grand Voyager, but the racks themselves were fine. The play on an inner end can make it look like the rack is bad, but don't let it fool you. And don't forget about that intermediate shaft; check it for looseness, too. Sure, the rack MAY be bad, but I'd bet on one of the more likely wear-out-able components. Good luck and let us know what you find... Chris:exp:

 

[Kidd7]

Replaced inner tie rods, tightened everything right up. thanks...