Loose rack and pinion

Tiny
MERCABAGO55
  • MEMBER
  • 1989 FORD AEROSTAR
  • 3.0L
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 200,000 MILES
I have about two inches of play in the rake and pinion. The tie rod is okay.
Monday, February 19th, 2018 AT 2:01 PM

4 Replies

Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,003 POSTS
Two inches at the wheel is quite a bit of wear but not abnormal for that amount of miles. It will fail inspection in NY as that is the legal limit on power steering (three inches if it is a manual unit). I would verify that it is not from any loose parts first like the steering shaft or the shaft coupler. If they are okay about the only other option would be to replace the rack. There are a couple adjustments but they are for rack and bearing preload and will not compensate for mechanical wear in the rack and pinion themselves.

Replacement on that vehicle is not bad. You start the engine rotate the wheel lock to lock, count the turns. Bring the wheel back half the number of turns to center the wheels. Remove the power steering lines, remove the tie rod ends from the steering knuckles. Unbolt and remove the steering shaft and then the steering gear itself.
Reverse to reinstall. You will need to reset the toe and align the wheel fully.
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Monday, February 19th, 2018 AT 2:41 PM
Tiny
MERCABAGO55
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Okay, thank you. I am getting a new rack this coming Thursday from "Advance Auto" the best price around here $79.00 plus core. Jack
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Tuesday, February 20th, 2018 AT 3:25 AM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,003 POSTS
That is a good price. Remove it from the box in the store and inspect it. Hold the rack and try to move the pinion, you do not want to end up with one that has 1.75" of free play!
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Tuesday, February 20th, 2018 AT 11:32 AM
Tiny
MERCABAGO55
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Thank you, I will do that. Picking it up Wednesday morning. Thank you. Jack
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Tuesday, February 20th, 2018 AT 2:55 PM

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