faran

Hi Guys-

One of my inner tie rod on passenger side came loose, while outer tie rod was still intact.

Tried to fix it today and now I am in a BIG dilemma(I think), seems like threads inside Rack/Pinion and inner tie rod are slipping/worn out. I am NOT able to completely tighten inner tie rod into rack and Pinion. It goes in, but does not GO all the way down into it. I can see that threads are NOT even inside Rack/Pinion.

I mean, if inner tie rod threads are bad, I can just get another one, but can't do that with Rack/Pinion.

Please see attached pictures.

How can I overcome and fix this problem? Please help, thanks so much.

ej7attack

ah snap!!! it does look like you stripped out the threads. the threads on the tie rod look screwed too! inside the rack may be okay.
run a bottoming tap through the threads of the rack and get a new inner tie rod. and try that. if that doesn't work then you probably need a new rack.
helicoil may accommodate something that big but I wouldn't trust it too much.

faran

Thanks so much for your help, I am ONLY concerned and worried about RACK and not inner tie rod. Anyway I can skip LONGEST way, i-e replacing a rack?

faran

Guys anyone has any suggestions?

How can I run a bottoming tap and what is it?

hondamark35

a tap in the correct size will be difficult to find, very expensive and may not fix the threads. if a new, un-stripped tie rod won't tighten up in it you've probably lost too much material and the rack will definately need replacing. I've seen tie rods fail (break or come loose) on a moving vehicle and it is a scary and dangerous situation. i would strongly encourage you to scrap the rack. you are better off with a mechanically sound junkyard sourced rack than what you have now.

faran

Question, new un-stripped tie rod should go all the way down into the rack without washers or some of threads will stay out?

How difficult it is to replace a rack?

ej7attack

there should be a lock washer of some sort with the new inner tie rod. when it is all the way in you should see no threads.

its about a 6 or 7 on a scale to 10. I guess it all depends on your mechanical ability.

faran

Yes, there is a stopper and lock washer. So after I put both of these washers, I shouldn't see any threads, correct?

I have done Timing Belt/Headgasket, breaks and all. Do you think I can tackle that?

If so, should I buy a refurb rack/pinion from ebay or go to a boneyeard?

Thanks again for your help.

ej7attack

that is correct. you should see no threads when all the way installed.

with your said experience, why not?

check out a bone yard, a lot cheaper there. not to mention its a used genuine Honda part. just watch for leaky seals.

no problem.

faran

Thanks man, leaky seals. Where?

GhostAccord

There are a few pain in the **** things that have to be done in order to swap out a rack. I would strongly suggest reading through the Honda Shop manual procedure a few times before you tackle this job. There are a few tips in there that will make it a much easier job.

For example; The left outer tie rod end has to be removed and then the rack (cylinder) has to be pushed all the way to the right in order to get it to drop down and out of the cross member. If you didn't read the Shop manual it would take some time to figure that one out.

You will need ramps or a lift so that you can get under the car with room to drop the exhaust out of the way as well.

faran

GhostAccord, do you have any trick or tip to avoid swapping the rack/pinion?

Can I use some weld or a bond or something to fix it?

tim73

this is a 20 year old car, i would hate to have to drop in too much $. Could you try to just weld it(Or if youre not a welder, then get somebody to do it for you? You could probably have somebody to do it for $30-40. Looks like theres enough metal there. Just a thought.

GhostAccord

Unfortunately that is the actual rack. If you stripped the threads out of that there really isn't much you can do. Not sure that I would trust a heli coil in something that goes through so many push and pull cycles. I personally wouldn't try welding it... Someone else may think it's OK though..... You would have to talk to a welder and see what they think.

Honda lists a replacement part, PrtNo. 53626-SV4-A61. However, it's $250 just for that rack shaft and you have to take the entire housing apart to get at it... Cheaper and easier just to buy a used rack.

Here is an exploded view of the steering gear box and it's parts, no.14 is the rack, No.13 is the housing that it resides in. No.14 is the part that you are showing with the stripped threads.

faran

Yes, number 14 is stripped

I can get a used rack/pinion for $25 from pick a pull part, not sure how complicated it would be to pull?

Can you advise about helicoil?I can give it a shot, because threads are definitely stripped and can't utilize them

ej7attack

for more info on helicoil go to their site but like I said I wouldnt trust it much. your best bet is to pull one from the jy. that way you don't have to worry about it.

faran

As always, thanks so much for your help.

I wanna give a try/shot to helicoil insert, do you guys have any suggestion about it? I mean which size I should try for it?

Also, any suggestion about thread repair kits?

Because replacing/swapping a rack seems like a big job too.

GhostAccord

In order to find out what helicoil kit you will require. You will have to measure the outside diameter of the threads and the thread pitch of the inner tie rod. As well as the depth of the threads into the rack.

I think your cheapest option will probably be to take it to a machine shop and have them install one. The kits cost between $70-$120. That's for the drill bit, tap and 6 coils and a coil driver. That is the smallest kit you can buy. Now you might be able to find the drill bit, tap and helicoils separately for less if you search around. Don't really need a coil driver to install them.

faran

Well for nearly $100 or even less I can get a reman rack/pinion.

Only issue is replacing the rack does not seem as simple as I thought

If I take it to a shop, how much you think I should pay them?

faran

On the same note, do you think helicoil will be good enough to hold that much stress/load of a steering/inner tie-rod?

Because if not, am not trying to be super cheap, can go ahead a buy a reman rack/pinion.

Safety is more important than money.

GhostAccord

I already mentioned in a previous post that I wouldn't trust it.

faran

Thanks Bro, appreciate your help.

holmesnmanny

Ya, dude, don't take any chances you could die if that thing breaks loose while driving.

kidcool1977

sell the damn car.

faran

I think, you guys have given me enough information and advice---NOT going to take a chance on it with any helicoil or something similar.

I am DEFINITELY planning to either replace the whole rack or just sell the car.

Thanks again for all the help, really appreciate it guys