Play in steering rack

IH8HSV · 03-02-2010, 08:50 PM

Hi all...

My misses drove to Melbourne and back in her AU. She complained of a slight vibration in the steering wheel. I looked under the car and found to my horror that both front wheels are chewed badly on the inside - down to the canvas actually.

With the car on the ground I got her to move the steering wheel left and right slightly. I can here a clunk in the steering rack. ( or somewhere just above it ).

So what does this mean? Am I up for a whole new steering assembly?

If so are they hard to change yourself? What would a new rack cost???

Thanks.

fourl6 · 03-02-2010, 10:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IH8HSV

If so are they hard to change yourself? What would a new rack cost???

Thanks.

i was quoted about 660 for one and im pretty sure that was supply only (correct me if im wrong) but im more intersted in trying it myself... had a look on ebay and bayford down here sell reco'd ones for 270

Quote:

ALL AU RACKS COME WITH NEW TIE RODS & NUTS

but im not sure how hard one would be to fit...
i guess it would put wheel alignment out and might have to bleed p/s fluid etc.?

Cheers Cam

Mr Hardware · 03-02-2010, 11:12 PM

An early safety recall for the AU's was the rack is held onto the crossmember by some extremely dubious bolts - the ford factory fix was to dab a bit of weld on the thread to stop it from completely falling off. I make it a habit of swinging off the nut every time i do an oil change. Check the physical first!

mik · 04-02-2010, 01:35 AM

i`d have a guess and say inner tie rod end on the rack, check the steering shaft onto the rack also ,if you have reasonable mechanical skills and tools they are not that hard to do a change over the rack, if your not sure though don`t forget this is the the device that keeps your car pointed where you steer it!!!, you`ll need an alignment after a newey or change over is fitted.

JC · 04-02-2010, 09:00 AM

It is most likely the steering shaft that goes into the top of the rack. They have a rubber bush that wears and creates play in the steering. They're around $250 new or $75 second hand - try FTG first.

blownv8au · 04-02-2010, 09:28 AM

its called a steering link isn't it? If so thats the one pedders wanted to charge me $700 for because it was about to fail 12 months ago. Jc were is the bush in them is it in the turning knuckle? I think i'll give ftg a ring for one i just put in a reco rack and still have a bit of play.

JC · 04-02-2010, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pjm58

its called a steering link isn't it? If so thats the one pedders wanted to charge me $700 for because it was about to fail 12 months ago. Jc were is the bush in them is it in the turning knuckle? I think i'll give ftg a ring for one i just put in a reco rack and still have a bit of play.

It's called the intermediate shaft. From memory, EF/EL ones fit an AU and vice versa (worth checking with Ford though). Ron's link shows how to diagnose if it's the rack or the shaft.

ronwest · 04-02-2010, 02:04 PM

I hadn't noticed this tech page before. May be of some assistance:-

http://www.fordforums.com.au/vbporta...article&id=638

**Mechan1k** · 04-02-2010, 07:22 PM

Bought my 2nd hand intermediate shaft from FTG for about the price JC mentioned.
I got an AU shaft ... there was a massive difference in play as well. There's a pin in thte middle of it and you could move it by hand in the the faulty one.

After replacement ... it was like driving a new vehicle.

You can test it though to make sure it is the intermediate shaft ... try and turn/twist it .. also with someone in the vehicle turning the steering wheel left/right slightly.

IH8HSV · 16-02-2010, 11:17 PM

Thanks for the replies,

Would this small amount of play cause both front tyres to wear so excessively?

It took only 10000km of highway driving to chew 2 new front tyres out. The first 3cm's of the inside of the tyres are down to the canvas.

Cheers.

JC · 17-02-2010, 01:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IH8HSV

Thanks for the replies,

Would this small amount of play cause both front tyres to wear so excessively?

It took only 10000km of highway driving to chew 2 new front tyres out. The first 3cm's of the inside of the tyres are down to the canvas.

Cheers.

No - that would be toe or camber settings; most likely toe. Could be worn balljoints etc that let the front bits flop afround too much as well.

Funnily enough, mine now vibrates over 100km/h, do will be getting mine checked laster this week (professionally - but I will fit any required parts).

svo supporter · 17-02-2010, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IH8HSV

Thanks for the replies,

Would this small amount of play cause both front tyres to wear so excessively?

It took only 10000km of highway driving to chew 2 new front tyres out. The first 3cm's of the inside of the tyres are down to the canvas.

Cheers.

It'd be a camber issue more than a toe issue. Book in for a front end check and alignment and I'm sure you're problem will be fixed

IH8HSV · 17-02-2010, 08:08 PM

Cheers,

The car has had a wheel alinement and everything is spot on.

I will check the ball joints then.

svo supporter · 17-02-2010, 11:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IH8HSV

Cheers,

The car has had a wheel alinement and everything is spot on.

I will check the ball joints then.

Was the alignment done before or after the tyres scrubbed out? If it was before, I'd be driving straight back there, asking for a couple of new tyres and re-aligned, because they stuffed it big time

svo supporter · 18-02-2010, 09:14 AM

Mate, that suxs. Good luck with the replacements.

And yes, I don't think they did a real good job, if any.