this is a 93 coupe with manual rack. It has been making LOUD clunk noises mainly from the passengers side when turning in reverse sharp to the right and when turning in forward gears to the left

So tonight i checked it while jacked up. The pass side of the rack will up and down about 1 inch if i shake the passenger wheel back and forth (with the steering wheel locked). The drivers side does not move hardly at all when shaking either wheel.

Does this mean i need to replace the rack or is there a bushing (possible rack end bushing. The boots were torn on both sides so im wondering if the pinion gear is wearing away and would be better to just replace rather than just fix a bushing...

and any links to writeups or write in here to help. If im replacing the rack, what would be neccessary to make it a power steering rack.


Modified by drumminforev at 4:27 AM 12/26/2006

 

well, determine where the actual play is coming from, replace whatever part is worn, if the whole rack housing is moving up and down the mounting bushings are probably worn or the bolts are loose/missing. have a friend shake the wheel while you look from under the hood to narrow it down some.

 

Its not the housing, we can see that. Its the actual rack inside the housing that moves up and down. So i was thinkin it could be a really jacked up bushing... any more advice on how to fix and what it may be.

 

so with the rack boot (bellows boot) torn away you can see the internal portion of the rack and pinion moving up and down???

if so you need a rack brother.

 

Bump for the same problem. but both my wheels do this

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by I_dont_want_a_user_name &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Bump for the same problem. but both my wheels do this </TD></TR></TABLE>

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by schardbody &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">so with the rack boot (bellows boot) torn away you can see the internal portion of the rack and pinion moving up and down???

if so you need a rack brother.</TD></TR></TABLE>

 

mine does it too and i know for a fact its my lca bushing... thinking about geeting a new lca to fix it

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by schardbody &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">so with the rack boot (bellows boot) torn away you can see the internal portion of the rack and pinion moving up and down???

if so you need a rack brother.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Yes, the internal rack piece moves insiding the housing with the boot moved away.
can i not just get the bushing thats bad replaced in the rack.

any one got links to a rack DIY on here?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by drumminforev &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Yes, the internal rack piece moves insiding the housing with the boot moved away.
can i not just get the bushing thats bad replaced in the rack.

any one got links to a rack DIY on here?</TD></TR></TABLE>

that requires complete disassembly of the rack and pinion, and the repair parts will cost almost as much as a remanufactured rack, so i wouldnt recommend doing it that way.

reman racks come complete with new bellows boots, inner tie rods (rack ends) and have a warranty.

 

got links where to buy for as cheap as possible? and for writeup on how to do

 

pretty much any parts store will have the reman rack. as for a writeup it should be in the FAQ archive sticky, if not its pretty straight forward.