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I have TEIN SS Flex that was making loud clanking noises over streets. Freeway speed made it better, but was still there. About the same time I noticed my steering was getting loose. Corners I did at 80, I was holding my steering wheel at 65, praying to god.

I decided to get it racked, and found out that when no pressure on the wheels, the spring was free to play around. Then they told be my rack was shot, and needed replacement.

With the Tein, they told me the ball joint at the top of the shock failed, and needed to be replaced.
Does this sound plausible? It is costing me 900 for the rack, and 200 for new upper strut ball joint.

One of the reasons for the the post is to help people who are experience the same symptoms. I had no idea the rack was bad, only that there was some excess play in the steering. Also when on a banking corner, the steering wheel shook violently. Was this caused by the lowering? I spent lots of money on this setup and seems like it was awfully early to have a upper ball joint fail. The car is a 2005 civic ex coupe with 58,000 miles on it. Would honda have covered the steering rack under warranty ( I have extended warranty), or because of the lowering, would it have voided it. One last thing. I like a tight wheel. Is there a way to remove all play in the steering, so as to almost have non power steering?

Thanks.