Tyson

i dont see where it says replace the pinion. you replace the SEAL if you take out the pinion and bearing.

http://media.honda.co.uk/car/owner/m...SH200/11-7.pdf

96hb

Well, the Helm's manual for a 96-00 Civic looks different than that and it definitely says replace the pinion, as well as the seal and the REB.

Tyson

your right, the EK service manual does say replace pinion.

however, i have a feeling it has more to do with the bearing. both service manuals mention that the bearing itself is not serviceable, shouldnt be removed and replaced apart from the pinion. the process of removing the pinion would definitely necessitate the replacement of the bearing, but you since youre not supposed to reuse the bearing, the pinion ASSEMBLY (pinion and bearing) should be replaced.

i have known the bearing to be completely replaceable. you can buy it from any bearing supplier, its nothing special but an interference fit. a press and assorted drivers (right sized sockets) is all you need.


interesting to see the difference in tie rods btw. ends are square and theres spring pins holding them to the rack.

96hb

The problem is, nobody sells the pinion by itself. Do you know where to get one? The thing is I would hate to go through the trouble of finding the right bearing and replacing it, and then find I still have the problem. This has been the most annoying thing I've ever dealt with on any car. I just can't seem to pinpoint the exact problem.

96hb

I'm about to post a short video clip of what's happening. Stand by........

96hb

If anybody has ANY suggestions, please feel free.

Jenkinsal2

what did the "teeth" look like on your rack and pinion when you had them out? Its hard to tell from the video what is loose but it does not seem to be the U joint from the column. Is it possible that something else is loose higher in the column?

96hb

I don't know because I didn't take everything apart. I was able to replace the bushing with the rack still in. But the teeth I could see on it looked ok. I don't think it's anything up higher in the column because the joints at the base turn exactly with the wheel. I'm not ruling out anything, however. I know you can't really see anything from the video. I just wanted to post up what I'm hearing, at least.

Jenkinsal2

if it isnt higher in the column I would say the teeth are some how not meshed correctly or are worn. Thats how it seems from the video anyways. If you have to swap that rack out anyways might as well pull it and have a look.

96hb

That's what I was thinking because it will make that noise anywhere throughout the range of motion. The bitch of it is you can't buy replacement parts. You have to replace the whole damn thing!

Jenkinsal2

I would be more worried about what caused the problem. If you want I just replaced the rack and pinion in my car with the quiafe stuff. Idk how much shipping would be but you could have them for a few pennies if interested. I hope you can get it figured out without having to buy a brand new rack that sounds expensive.

edit- I replaced my ef rack and pinion. IDK if these are different or not?

96hb

Yeah I'm not sure if that would be compatible or not. I may do some checking on that. Thanks for the offer. I can get a remanufactured rack for around $200. I would just not like to do that because that would make the inner tie rods and bellows boots I just bought a couple months ago a waste.

96hb

Well, I finally figured out what the problem was. It was me! I went back over my work last night and found out that I didn't have the u-joint at the pinion shaft as tight as it needs to be. Once I tightened it ALL the way up and did a couple more rack guide adjustments, my steering is finally smooth with no clunking. Tyson, I owe you an apology. I should've double checked all of my work. to me, and a to you.
<---is quite embarrassed.

Tyson

meh. glad youre happy with your car now.

98civdx

It's always something you over look lol, glad to hear you got it fixed.

blablah_yada

What about the the tightness of the steering? Did it go away after tightening the u-joint to pinion shaft? Or did that just get that annoying slack out of the steering? I've got a '93 civic coupe dx with power steering and after replacing the lower ball joints I also have a hard to turn steering wheel that doesn't really straighten out after turning. It feels darn near like a manual rack at times. There's no play in it though. Thought about an alignment but it drives pretty straight. Sorry to bump this old thread but it the most relevant one I have found. Thanks in advance ya'll.