03 steering rack

[mnstrstang]

So the other day I fixed a rattle in my front end, dust shield rivets on the driver side broke. When I had everything apart I noticed my steering rack had a lot of play in the driver side. So my question is, are these things a PITA to change? I have a new rack and got new tie rod ends just wasn't sure of the project I'm getting into haha. Hoping this is the only thing so the car is still down for the fall foliage cruise.

[BlackOutGT]

Before you condemn the rack and pinion. Make sure its not just a inner or outer tie rod both are easily serviceable. Usually the rack won't have slack.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The inner tie rods come on the new rack you bought they are serviceable. The rack is very easy to install just be sure you center the rack properly before installing the new one then have an alignment done.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[mnstrstang]

Originally Posted by BlackOutGT

Before you condemn the rack and pinion. Make sure its not just a inner or outer tie rod both are easily serviceable. Usually the rack won't have slack.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The inner tie rods come on the new rack you bought they are serviceable. The rack is very easy to install just be sure you center the rack properly before installing the new one then have an alignment done.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The rack I'm installing isn't brand new sorry for the confusion. Its from an old 03 that my mom totaled on me and I stripped everything off of haha. The inners are in good shape I'm just changing the outer tie rods bc I have the rack sitting on a bench andy rode has 130k on it. Thanks though just didn't know if it's a project to change.

[BlackOutGT]

Ohh ok just outers. There easy just count the threads when taking them off and reinstall them the same way. Still will need an alignment though. Where it's mounted to the knuckle the taper portion of the tierod will be stuck in the knuckle. A few solid hits with the hammer on the knuckle and it should pop right out. Don't hit the threads!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[mnstrstang]

I was sadly expecting the alignment haha. since it is a rack from one car to another. I've changed steering boxes on older ford trucks. I wasn't sure if this was going to be a project haha. I'm just hoping this isn't going to be more expensive then the 70$ outers I bought so I can still make the cruise next week.

Should I change the rubber joints that hold the rack against the k member?

[BlackOutGT]

Not unless there worn. Stick a prybar between the rack and the frame see if there worn. Usually they don't wear out


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[mnstrstang]

Ok sweet. They didn't move with a pry bar but for some reason ONLY when I turned the wheel in my car theses bushings squeaked which is very annoying. So I guess I'll just grease the bushings up nicely to help prevet this...

[mnstrstang]

Got the rack change with new tie rods, took about 1.5 hours. It wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. Now my steering wheel returns again when I turn. I also found the cause of the problem which caused the inners to go bad...the rubber boots that cover the inners was torn in a spot you wouldn't be able to notice unless you tool it all out. The inners were destroyed and cover in rust bad. The pony is ready fir the cruise next week haha