Rack and pinion shaft not clocked properly with steering shaft
 

I had to remove the rack and pinion in order to replace torn boots on it. I took the car for an alignment today and under the notes it stated that the Rack and Pinion is not clocked properly with the steering shaft.

I also feel the car extremely loose. Didn't feel like that before I took it in. Which way should the steering shaft be clocked with the rack and pinion?

Re: Rack and pinion shaft not clocked properly with steering shaft
 

I took a look at the alignment results and the front right/left toe are off.

Side****Actual***Before***Specified Range
FL*****-5.00****-6.54****-0.04 0.12
FR*****0.51*****5.69*****" "

So I called the alignment place and the tech said that the rack was installed inproperly. I don't see how that's possible since it only goes one way onto the steering shaft. Now, to me it looks like the rack shaft could have been turned one way too far and it needs to go the other way. From the results, do I need to turn it clockwise or counter clockwise? I'm going to have to seperate the rack shaft from the steering shaft as well.

Can anyone provide me a pic where the steering shaft meets the rack shaft? I want to make sure I have it correctly.

Thank you.

Re: Rack and pinion shaft not clocked properly with steering shaft
 

sound like when you reinstalled the rack you were off one to to teeth off at the slip joint the tech noted it on the sheet cuz if off to far you will brake the cable reel /clock spring if spec right wheel where point to the left when steering wheel was str8

Re: Rack and pinion shaft not clocked properly with steering shaft
 

So what do I need to do to fix it?

Re: Rack and pinion shaft not clocked properly with steering shaft
 

I am very suprised the tech let it go out the door like that and even tried to align it knowing that the rack needed to be centered. It sounds like you should find a new shop and pay the few bucks that it would cost for them to center everything and do a good alignment

Re: Rack and pinion shaft not clocked properly with steering shaft
 

This is at Firestone and I have the lifetime alignment. How can I center the rack myself?

Re: Rack and pinion shaft not clocked properly with steering shaft
 

Ok, so last night I disconnected the steering shaft from the rack shaft, moved the steering wheel to make sure it was straight and went out driving. Had to do this a couple of times until the steering wheel was perfectly straight. I took the car in today for an alighment and they were able to align it just fine.

The car now drives great. It was an easy fix and I can't belive they weren't able to do it themselves, I would have paid them 20 bucks if that's all that it needed.

Re: Rack and pinion shaft not clocked properly with steering shaft
 

When I did my R&P I ended up turning the wheels straight forward, marking the column to steering wheel (in pencil) and measuring the distance on the tie rod ends (as well as counting the threads). Disconnected the steering shaft and when reinstalling the shaft was the last thing to bolt up. Moved the tires straight ahead after setting the tie rod ends, and then lined up the steering wheel and bolted up the steering coupler. Did not have any issues. I was getting ready to take it in for a front end alignment (not that it needs one), but now the freaking remand R&P is leaking. Will probably wait about a month to change it out again after I save up for a new Honda R&P.

Re: Rack and pinion shaft not clocked properly with steering shaft
 

Yeah, I could have done a little more measuring on my end, but when you are taking shit off the last thing on your mind is that the shit will be off when putting it back together. I thought that the alignment people would have been able to fix the issue, but I guess not. It was an easy fix though.

I ended up just replacing both boots on the rack with oem honda units, works fine now. I did the same thing with the axle, replaced both boots instead of buying a junker from Kragen.