Rack and pinion preload

[beihl304]

After replacing both inner and outer tie rod ends on both sides, I now have found a problem with my rack and pinion. If I turn the steering wheel back and forth, I can hear a clicking sound coming from inside the rack. When the car is on the ground, if I turn the wheel all the way I can hear clicking, clunking something to that extent. As I am driving my car also loves to follow every rut or crack in the road and it is hard to go in a straight line.

I was thinking on maybe checking the rack and pinion preload to take up some of the slack. Do you think this could solve my problem or is my rack most likely going bad? I also have no signs of leaks around the inner tie rods or anywhere and all ball joints are good.

I guess there is no hope.

 

[dented_coffee]

The inner rods unscrew from the rack it's self. Make sure they did not come loose. After replacing any part of any car that deals with steering, or alignment of a tire or tires you really should get a front end alignment to prevent damage to ball joints, wheel bearings, tire rod arms inner/outer, tires, and possibly your life.

I have personally neglected to get an alignment on my 94 talon after installing new outer tie rod arms. When I was driving down the road the new outer arm busted. Thank god I was not on the highway and not going over 30MPH! Sure it was an easy fix to limp it back home 2 miles. I replaced the outer arm again and got an alignment and the noises and worries disappeared.

Best of luck and for your safety get an alignment please.

 

[beihl304]

Thanks for the reply but my problem is I can not get an alignment till I fix the play in my rack or get a new one. This is why I was asking about preload spec and if that might possibly help at all. Thanks

 

[bjones18]

You can do an alignment at home with a buddy and tape measure. measure distance between Left/Right tires from tire-tread-center at both the "front and rear" of the front-tire-set (straight shot measure - no touch of tape to car). For about 0.1deg toe-in your front measurement should be about 1/8" shorter than the back measurement.

That said, everything effects your ability to measure alignment correct and accurate. Most of all your ride height. Don't take your car off of a jack and then measure alignment... or jab the brakes to a halt to park before measuring. If you don't understand this last statement, chances are you don't have the background to precisely align your front end.

As for your issue, make sure your "lateral" lower control arm bushings and ball joints are good.

The "preload" on your rack is ment to keep the rack forced against the pinion (counter-act the separation force between rack & pinion under steering torque). Too much preload and you'll have poor steering feel (friction) and possibly wear out the yoke-block which presses against the rack.

I'm familiar with power steering rack internals, but not sure what might cause a clicking sound (other than foriegn matter or a broken part.

 

[TSiAWD666]

Can either of you two explain how to adjust the pinion torque? Seems both are familiar with the steering rack. I ask as I have a big dead zone in my steering after a shop pulled the rack then re-installed after some work. I've read the service manual but it's not clear to me where the adjustment for this is on the rack. I want to understand where the adustment is before tearing apart the car.