Pop Quiz: FC steering rack is making interesting/popping noises on hard turns...
 

I've needed an alignment for quite some time now, and have managed to procrastinate till now...I think my steering rack (I have power steering) is dead or dying, as it keep making all these interesting noises when turning hard right and left (usually when getting into/out of a parking space)...how long do I probably have left on it, and is there a chance of it exploding and breaking on me while driving?

...and one more thang - anyone tried to drift an FC with a manual steering rack yet?...I can probably imagine the pros and cons, but whatever...

thanks

i drift my fc all the time..... i converted mine to manual rack and was the best decision, i have more control over the car!!! the steering is responding to you, not fluid! your rack sounds like its either loose, or the tie rod ends went bad.... try jacking up the front of the car and see if there is play in the wheel, there shouldnt be any!

There is a needle bearing in the middle of the servo valve down on the rack there that will crap out on you if the fluid is old & crusty, or if the fluid is removed from it for any length of time...If your steering starts to "catch", or lock up on you, check this first (will have to remove the rack to get to it easily)...

cv joint i think
should have nothing to do with rack

the clicking noise sounds like it just might b a cv joint to me ... it clicks alot the more you turn the wheel doesnt it?

LOL


It might be a bad ball joint or a tierod end. Actually, it could be a bunch of things. Just becuase it happens when you turn dosn't mean the rack is messed up. Take it to a local shop and get them to do a front end evaluation. Most shops will do it for free, at least they did at Sears where i used to work.

Steve