2g Steering rack adjustment to fix dead zone

[TSiAWD666]

Hey folks, got an issue with my steering rack on my 99 GSX. The rack was removed from the car when I replaced my front subframe and then re-installed, and afterwards there is a fairly large dead zone (about 1" of movement" in the steering wheel. I think perhaps the fellow who did the subframe swap might have forgotten a step in the removal/re-install of the steering rack and created the deadzone. He wasn't experienced with DSMs in general.

I've read the service manual about dead play in the steering and to my uneducated eyes it's vague on how to resolve it. One adjustment it mentions is pinion torque adjustment, but is very unclear on how to do it.

I've ruled out tie rods ends as the culprit because the dead zone didn't appear until after the removal/re-install of the steering rack. Also I had an alignment a few weeks ago and asked them to check and they said the tie rod ends were in good condition. I've verified the slack is in the rack itself somewhere as I see my steering column move with the wheel 1:1.

I'm wondering the following:
1) Anyone know how to adjust pinion torque and if so would you mind giving an idiot's explanation of how to do it? If you can just explain where the heck this adjustment is on the rack itself that would be a huge help. I just have never had to work on the rack before and from the service manual I can't see where this is adjusted.
2) Any other suggestions as to what the cause of this deadzone might be? I am open to this being just a coincidental failure in the rack of course. The service manual seems to offer nothing beyond pinion torque adjustment other than checking other parts of the rack (not telling you HOW to check them

I appreciate any information, tips, and advice. Thanks!

 

[Calan]

It could be that he didn't tighten up the bolt that holds the shaft collar to the rack. It's pretty common for them to loosen up, and if the splines are worn a little you'll have a dead zone...or worse case, a really bad day.

 

[TSiAWD666]

I'll have to look at the shaft collar. When I had my head out of the car late last year I had reached down there to tighten what I think is the shaft collar and got it fairly snug (I think the torque spec is pretty low, around 13 ft.lbs.?). It had no effect unfortunately. However, maybe I didn't tighten it enough or even the right bolt... so it'll be on the list of things to check. Thanks for the suggestion.