Hard to steer? Don’t pay a mechanic! Step-by-step instructions to diagnose, service and troubleshoot a rack and pinion on automobiles. This video covers test…
How to Troubleshoot and Fix a Rack and Pinion for Steering Problems Like Stiffness, Pull, Wander
167
Like
Save
){kind=link}
Comments
Write a comment
You must be logged in to post a comment.
I had my rack on my 08′ Grand Prix done for the third time and i’m losin my
mind! The first time it lasted 8-9 months then it started to whine a
little. When i shook the steering wheel side to side there was a little
clunkiness and i thought one of the tie rod ends were going. I was backing
out of a parking space one day and lost all power steering and noticed a
ton of fluid on the ground behind my car. I took the car in and had to pay
100 for an alignment and they replaced the rack no charge. Car seemed to be
fine. No more clunkiness either, so i assumed that it was the bad rack,
cause it the thing steered smooth now with no whine. Six months later i’m
doing heater core flush and replacing a rear caliper and notice fluid on
the drivers side inner tie rod boot and a slightly leaking metal to hose
crimp on the pressure line a little down from the steering pump on the
passenger side. I checked the reservoir and although the rack and the
pressure line had been leaking it was well above the hot mark almost to the
top of the reservoir. This made me think that since it was so full, and had
been leaking for who knows how long, that the over filling was causing the
problem. I also thought that maybe it poped the rack last time because they
over filled the system. Did some research online and found that most
mechanics say that over filling the reservoir will only result in the fluid
comming out through the cap and will only make a mess. Some do say that
over filling it can result in line leakage and rack failure. Of course the
shop i’m taking the car to says over filling the reservior won’t do a thing
to it and they replace the rack no charge and fix the pressure line for
425. As soon as i get the keys i poped the hood noticed that the engine was
cool and checked the steering dip stick. The thing was filled all the way
to the top. It was way past the hot mark. The fluid was up to the coil part
of the cap a half inch above the hot mark. The shop didn’t have anything to
remove the fluid so i drove it 10 min. away to my house. When i checked the
reservoir with the engine off, so i could remove some fluid, the thing
hissed like a radiator and sprayed a good amount of steering fluid in a
fine mist. My cap has a rubber gasket that seals. I jacked up the car and
everthing had fluid on it so i took out the extra fluid in the reservoir
wich was about 6oz. and washed down the whole thing. I also verified that
everthing was clean. Then i drove it half a day and jacked it back up to
find the rack still leaking on the driver side inner tie rod boot. So i
follow the lines and find that the bottom of the steering reservoir where
the return line clamps on to it is all wet looking but has no drip. Also
the return line right under the reservoir where there are a couple of metal
to hose crimps are looking wet also with no drip. The hose clamp that holds
the return line to the reservoir and the metal to hose crimps right under
the reservoir all look rusty and there is wetness. I really need to know if
over filling the reservoir could cause all of this. The car has 90k on it
and the lines may have needed replacing any way and this should’ve been at
least suggested during the first repair. The pressure line that i replaced
that was looking wet at the crimp still looked new though and my rack poped
before and is also leaking now. So could you please tell me if over filling
the steering reservoir could cause my lines and rack to fail.
What happen if I don’t replace rack & pinnion? (anything fatal?) I mean if
nothing lethal would happen I can handle the stifness.
is it possible to fix a rack if there is fluid leaking from inside one of
the rubber bellows? or does the whole thing need replaced? thanks.
would you know what the torque is on Dakota 2000 4.7 Rack and Pinion .
Thank you for this video. I have a question:
Two months ago i bought a used car. The pre-purchase inspection said the
rack and pinion needed to be replaced for $1600 and since I got the seller
to lower the price by close to that amount I bought it. Two days ago I got
the replacement done and resurfaced the front break rotors
I’m concerned because when I brought it in, the power steering seemed easy
and comfortable to turn. The issues it had were that it made a creaking
noise at very low speed and after a turn it wouldn’t go back to the centre
completely. Also, once in a while when stopping the wheel would rotate
slightly to the left or right.
After the replacement, the steering wheel felt very heavy and requires much
more effort to turn. Although I haven’t noticed the occasional rotation
when stopping, I still don’t have the steering wheel go all the way back to
the centre and can still hear the creaking at low speed although it seems
slightly less. Is this increased stiffness in the wheel normal? I thought a
new rack and pinion would make the car even smoother to drive.
I look forward to hearing back form you. Thanks in advance.
didnt see a vent hole in the cap its a 2010 cts awd 3.0l
I like the video! anyway I have ford escape 2008, with new tires, new front
lower arm, tie rod, rack end… and aligned as well.. but still wobbly it
goes to left or right depends on the surface of the road.. and the steering
wheel is light.. then my rack n pinion do not have any oil licks… may I
know your opinions.. thanks in advance…
How do you repair the seal beyond the boot
That was very helpful. Thanks
when i went to check my power steering fluid level air press. came out .the
level was good but the wheel just didn’t feel right from a dead stop. any
thoughts?
We just replaced our rack and pinion about 2 years ago. We have a leak of
steering fluid coming out the tie rod boot. Fluids have been maintained.
What are the reasons for this to go bad?
I believe the rack is bad on my 2000 Taurus SE SVG (with the 3.0 DOHC, not
the OHV). Its has the version with the variable assist. Recently I thought
the tie rod ends were worn but now I believe its the rack. We replaced both
inner and outter tie rods. And theres still play BUT only when the wheels
are point perfectly straight. When going around a turn there is no play (or
noise, as right now the car has clunking noise when when traveling in a
straight line over bumpy roads, the noise doesnt exist when turning). With
the car in the air and the wheels turned one way or the other there is no
play. I believe the racks gears may be worn. The car does have 205,000
miles on it so I believe its a possibility. Anyone else with input? Its a
great car power wise. It can fly around a turn (and glues itself to the
road) and is great engine wise, runs like new! Cant say the same for the
transmission though lol grabs good no slipping but gets right confused
shifting wise sometimes and also shifts hard sometimes. Fluid is brown so
im sure it needs to be changed but cant afford it right now :(
I have a leak on my passenger side steering rack boot. Could I just buy a
power steering rack o-ring seal kit. And just re install new o rings and a
new boot. My car is loosing about 1/8 of a quart every 4 months. The car
still drives straight and there is no play in the steering.
So after you change the rack, can you just fill up the reservoir and the
rack fills up without airlocks?
Hi There,
I had the power steering pump replaced by a mechanic 2 days ago. Yesterday
the steering went out completely. The mechanic said that the rack and
pinion was probably already “bad” before he replaced the pump and I need to
pay an additional $500 for the repair of the rack and pinion steering.
This doesn’t seem right. Also, there was no leaking of fluid prior to the
loss of steering the first time. What do you think happened, and is the
mechanic at fault?
Found you guys through Ericthecarguy, Just had to say… awesome video!!
Can a bad “rack” cause any noise?
My car is hard to turn only at low speeds. I took it to a mechanic and he
said it was the rack and pinion AND the power steering pump. But my
friends husband who is also mechanic said it’s not both and to take it to
the dealer
V hickle lol lol
Have problems power steering on 2003 ford windstar making noisey soon ask
turn on my car help me out ….thanks you
After an incident with my girlfriend’s Hyundai Accent and a pothole I’ve
been trying to narrow down the issue in the hopes of being able to do the
repair ourselves or at least being fully informed on the issue before
taking the car in. Not sure i know how to explain it properly. The car
pulls left then “relaxes” at a regular rate. With the rate increasing with
speed. I can take my hands off the wheel and the vehicle will make a large
circle with the steering wheel and tires turning left, centering out then
left again with it continually repeating. I have checked everything i can
think of for bends or play but found none. I got to thinking it could be an
issue with alignment (why it pulls left) and the seal in the middle of the
piston being damaged. As the pressure builds up it pulls left then is high
enough to leak pass to the other side of the piston allowing everything to
center out. Is this a likely issue or am i missing something else it could
be? I’ve also looked for leaks and found none. Steering also has no moment
of stiffness and is just as easy to turn the wheel as it ever has been.
He mentioned installing a filter for th epower steering fluid where do you
find those I have never heard of that before?
What type of liquid do you use in flushing the system?
I have a Toyota Fj Cruiser, and when the weather is cold my steering wheel
turns tight. After it warms up outside (and it doesn’t take much) the
steering is fine. I have taken the car to Toyota and they cant find
anything wrong. Toyota did flush out the old fluid a few weeks ago, but it
didn’t help. Does anyone have any ideas? I’m getting desperate 🙂 Thank
you.
Yeah!!!…Mine wanders like a mofo, now its starting to wobble, the wheel
that is….
$500 is what its gonna take to resolve this issue….
no. thank you for the video! 🙂 Love your channel.
That will vary, 800 psi to 1800 psi with flow from 1.6 g/pm to 3.0 g/pm. We
will need your year, make and model or part# for exact numbers.
Improper fluid in certain applications can cause some steering issues. In
addition, flushing or exchanging fluids can stir up sediment in pumps and
racks causing dirt to clog ports. Air ration of the fluid will also cause
stiff steering. Any of these may be causing your issue.
hi, how much pressure the pump have to put when the pressur guage is
connected in series.. 2) if the fluid is low, the pressure is still going
to be there?.. Thanks much for your response on power steering question I
raised earlier.
Google it! There are go kart supply sites that will sell you steering kits,
or individual parts to make your own.
If you don’t feel comfortable asking your technician the reason for the
recommendation, we would recommend getting a second opinion.
Hello, I brought my 05′ malibu with electric steering into a mechanic to
get saftied, gave me a list back. Said that the rack and pinion are not
good on my car, im not a mechanic but i know enough about vehicles to feel
like im being lied to, not surprising. I don’t feel any pulling when on the
highway, it wanders a very slight bit to the right. Steering feels
perfectly fine, not stiff, not loose. Anything. It feels and sounds
perfectly ok. Should i be worried about this? What can i do?
1st?
hey can you tell me what kind of steering system can be used while building
a go-kart…you’re response will be much appreciated….
hi, i have raised simialr question on power steering section, mechanic
poured wrong fluid, in the pump, i flushed it with honda power steering
fluid.. as recommended by manufacturuer i still have a problem, when i turn
the steering, meaning i get a noise and also feel like steering stiffness
turning little left or right.. so should have to change rack and pinion
now, that is what new meachinic is saying now..pls advise.
No problem, @onyxz007.