Worn out rack and pinion.....!

[japedo]

Went to replace my passenger side inner tie rod yesterday.
However, once i had the boot off the joint i realized the inner
Tie rod was fine!! The play is in the rack!
I am able to move the passenger side tire "car on jack stands" while holding te tire at 3 and 9 oclock. The movement feels like tie rod wear!

But the rack "shaft" or whatever the tie rod threads into, moves up and down in the rack housing. Maybe 2 or 4 mm's of play, but more at the tire. The car is scalloping tires on the inside and feels a bit odd to drive...

I have a feeling i need a new rack ... Warranty expired 9 thousand kilometres ago...
Or is there a bushing
I can replace? Anyone with experince in this?
Thanks folks, really wish it was just a tie rod....

[N1rve]

Originally Posted by japedo

Went to replace my passenger side inner tie rod yesterday.
However, once i had the boot off the joint i realized the inner
Tie rod was fine!! The play is in the rack!
I am able to move the passenger side tire "car on jack stands" while holding te tire at 3 and 9 oclock. The movement feels like tie rod wear!

But the rack "shaft" or whatever the tie rod threads into, moves up and down in the rack housing. Maybe 2 or 4 mm's of play, but more at the tire. The car is scalloping tires on the inside and feels a bit odd to drive...

I have a feeling i need a new rack ... Warranty expired 9 thousand kilometres ago...
Or is there a bushing
I can replace? Anyone with experince in this?
Thanks folks, really wish it was just a tie rod....

Is the rack and pinon leaking? Have you tried to get an alignment? I got an alignment and my steering felt tighter.

[jd10013]

well, I had a problem with mine back in the summer. the boot had come loose on the rack and pinion. luckily I had caught it early and had it fixed. there was also something else that had come loos (can't for the life of me remember what it was) that was causing a noise when accelerating and turning. both fixes were $90 I think.

good luck.

[japedo]

My steering doesnt really feel loose.. The car just seems to dart a bit, and doesnt track real straight..

I had an appointment for an alignment but cancelled it because u cant do an alignment with any amount of play "movement" in either tire when the car is jacked up.

There isnt any leakage either.. Really quite a shame, the tie rods shouldnt outlast the rack.... .

However!! Wife brought the car to the dealer 5 months ago for an alignment. Because the car was scalloping the inside of the front tires. The dealer did an alignment.. And the documents showed the passenger front "same tire that moves now" was very toed in. They told her there wernt any worn parts and did an alignment.... But how could an alignment be out without worn parts?? The threads on the tie rods dont adjust themself.....
Needless to say the new tires put in following that alignment are ruined, same as the previous set..
Car was under warranty in the spring... But not now, i think they screwed us over a bit..

Im going to pay a visit to the dealer tomorrow and have a conversation with the guys there... Who knows... Worth a try!

[N1rve]

It is a common misconception to beliefe that the boots are suppose to prevent leaks. There are seals inside the middle of the rack and pinion.

Also you don't need worn out parts to change your alignment. All you need is a pot hole or speed bump to change your alignment. My altima at 8000 miles had minor alignment issues in the rear. It's a 2011.

[japedo]

Originally Posted by N1rve

It is a common misconception to beliefe that the boots are suppose to prevent leaks. There are seals inside the middle of the rack and pinion.

Also you don't need worn out parts to change your alignment. All you need is a pot hole or speed bump to change your alignment. My altima at 8000 miles had minor alignment issues in the rear. It's a 2011.

I know the tie rod boots arnt there to hold power steering fluid in. They protect the inner tie rod from dirt and dust and help keep the grease in around the tie rod joint.

I know what ur saying, alignment can change from bumps. But typically only caster camber is affected from that stuff. When toe in/toe out changes in the front end its usually worn tie rods, control arm bushing, ball joints or wheel bearings.
However i think u are right, i dont really stand much chance talking to the dealer.

And i can change the rack myself.. So i guess i shoudnt complain.. About 300 to 400$. And an afternoon..

[N1rve]

Originally Posted by japedo

I know the tie rod boots arnt there to hold power steering fluid in. They protect the inner tie rod from dirt and dust and help keep the grease in around the tie rod joint.

I know what ur saying, alignment can change from bumps. But typically only caster camber is affected from that stuff. When toe in/toe out changes in the front end its usually worn tie rods, control arm bushing, ball joints or wheel bearings.
However i think u are right, i dont really stand much chance talking to the dealer.

And i can change the rack myself.. So i guess i shoudnt complain.. About 300 to 400$. And an afternoon..

The boots were to JD.

What you can do is get an alignment first. See if that fixes anything. If possible, get one of those Firestone lifetime alignments. It's like 150 i think now... after 2 alignment it pays for itself.

If the alignment does not fix it, then you should get a comprehensive inspection of steering and suspension system.

It could actually be many things besides the rack and pinion, could be a bolt loose or something else, but I'm sure they'll catch that in the alignment.