Power Steering Rack Issue
05-06-20, 07:16 AM
#1
Rotary Freak
Thread Starter
Power Steering Rack Issue
Having a problem with my power steering rack, wanted to get a second opinion on it before disassembling it. At present the pump is disconnected and the only fluid is whatever remains inside the rack. This problem was present when I had the pump connected and the car running, but at the time I thought it might be related to the pump itself. The pump was recently rebuilt, no change in symptoms.
Basically the issue is that there is a tough spot in the motion of the rack, when trying to go from the center position to the left. There's a slight "clunk" sound if you overpower the tough spot, then a smaller tough spot, and then it moves normally. To my eye it also looks like it may be turning farther left than it does right. I can't tell if this is just my perception or if perhaps the center position isn't set correctly. I know little about the internal workings or adjustments on steering racks, but I know it's definitely not normal for the center position of a rack to spontaneously change. It was working normally until just before I rebuilt the pump, but since the pump was leaking I assumed that was the issue.
I did try disconnecting the tie-rod ends from the steering knuckles, no change. I also recently had the intermediate steering column disconnected to access the frame rail behind it. I didn't notice anything weird with the u-joints, but I didn't think to try turning the rack by hand. I assume this means there's nothing else that could be wrong except an internal problem with the rack, but I took a video in case:
It's not that big a deal for me to rebuild the rack if necessary, but I'm hoping this doesn't mean that core parts are damaged since I definitely won't be able to find another core quickly.
Basically the issue is that there is a tough spot in the motion of the rack, when trying to go from the center position to the left. There's a slight "clunk" sound if you overpower the tough spot, then a smaller tough spot, and then it moves normally. To my eye it also looks like it may be turning farther left than it does right. I can't tell if this is just my perception or if perhaps the center position isn't set correctly. I know little about the internal workings or adjustments on steering racks, but I know it's definitely not normal for the center position of a rack to spontaneously change. It was working normally until just before I rebuilt the pump, but since the pump was leaking I assumed that was the issue.
I did try disconnecting the tie-rod ends from the steering knuckles, no change. I also recently had the intermediate steering column disconnected to access the frame rail behind it. I didn't notice anything weird with the u-joints, but I didn't think to try turning the rack by hand. I assume this means there's nothing else that could be wrong except an internal problem with the rack, but I took a video in case:
It's not that big a deal for me to rebuild the rack if necessary, but I'm hoping this doesn't mean that core parts are damaged since I definitely won't be able to find another core quickly.
05-07-20, 07:15 AM
#2
Kind of sounds like a jammed up I-shaft u-joint. I’d personally expect it to happen more frequently in the turning radius though. May be worth disconnecting and checking.
05-07-20, 10:11 AM
#3
Rotary Freak
Thread Starter
Going to pull the rack soon and see what I see. If the shaft is okay, and it isn't the tie rod ends, I think the only possibility remaining is the rack.
08-01-20, 12:47 PM
#4
Rotary Freak
Thread Starter
So after pulling the rack and rebuilding it, I reinstalled it only to find the exact same issue - except worse.
Frustrated I started to pull the column off the rack, when I realized the bolt that tightens down the splined yoke on the shaft was colliding with the subframe. Pulled out the bolt, turned the wheel, silky smooth. So it turns out I rebuilt the entire rack for no reason.
What I can't figure out is how this happened in the first place. I had never touched the column or rack before this grinding issue started. The only thing I can imagine is that something I did twisted the rack a bit in its mounts and made the bolt contact the subframe, but I can't figure what I could have done to cause that. The bolt obviously didn't grow longer on its own, so something must have moved. Maybe someone before myself installed a bolt that was too long, and it only became an issue now.
Going to try wiggling the mounts as much as possible to avoid the issue, otherwise I can use a shorter bolt (there's a lot of extra thread).
Frustrated I started to pull the column off the rack, when I realized the bolt that tightens down the splined yoke on the shaft was colliding with the subframe. Pulled out the bolt, turned the wheel, silky smooth. So it turns out I rebuilt the entire rack for no reason.
What I can't figure out is how this happened in the first place. I had never touched the column or rack before this grinding issue started. The only thing I can imagine is that something I did twisted the rack a bit in its mounts and made the bolt contact the subframe, but I can't figure what I could have done to cause that. The bolt obviously didn't grow longer on its own, so something must have moved. Maybe someone before myself installed a bolt that was too long, and it only became an issue now.
Going to try wiggling the mounts as much as possible to avoid the issue, otherwise I can use a shorter bolt (there's a lot of extra thread).
Last edited by WondrousBread; 08-01-20 at 01:18 PM. Reason: typo
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