Hey guys, I was told last week that my gs430 has a bad rack & pinon(the shop went to do an alignment, but would not do it because there was an inch of play in the rack), but most things I've read about racks being bad mine does not do. My car doesn't leak, the wheel doesn't shake, however when I turn the wheel to either side and I move the wheel side to side in small amounts, it makes a sort of clunking noise. I don't know if this is the "play" that the shop mentioned, but I haven't been able to get a second opinion yet.

I was hoping someone has had some experience with this and might be able to help me out, thanks!

 

tie rod inners and outters. check those first.

might be that the shop is just trying to suck you dry

 

Okay, am I just checking if everything is secure?

Also, I noticed that when I go over 65, the wheel shakes a bit,(it doesn't feel like a tire) it definitely feels like something that is connected to the rack though, like a tie rod

Any thoughts? Thanks!

 

Def. Like he said, replace the inner an outer tie rods, along with your sway bar end links, and steering rack bushings. and if you have the extra cash, replace your caster/trailing arm/#2 lower control arm bushings as well. Will feel like a new car again. Oh and your LBJ's. And upper. Lol

 

The funny thing is that the shop told me that my suspension looked fine, but that I needed a new rack... lol

I will start with the tie rods and let you guys know what I find, thanks!

 

well you can consider the inner and outter tie rods to be a part of the rack

suspension probably does look fine.

but you can youtube on how to check those things out. have fun

 

Well, I just jacked each side of the car up and did the tie rod test. There was no movement at 3 and 9 o clock or 12 and 6 on both sides.

Time to get a second opinion on this repair...

 

Check your bushings,

 

On the rack? Or just all of them?

 

all bushings involving the front suspension. i was going to suggest that next. radius bushings are probably out (im assuming youre on the original ones)

 

If I'm correct you would normally have to replace the whole rack if the bushings are bad, but there are a few people now making just the bushings. Ask the shop if the rack is bad or just the bushings.

 

Are u lowered? If u are your number one culprit is control arm #2 bushings, maybe the rack is bad if so I would replace and tell the shop to show u the movement, u should have a few mm of free movement in the steering wheel that is normal...

 

ALL of them...

 

I'm taking it to an honest shop to have them inspect the rack next week, I'll let you guys know what they say

 

I'm taking the car to the shop on Friday, but I had another symptom to mention. The steering wheel makes a clunking sound when turning the wheel and going over a bump at low speed(exiting my driveway, sometimes over speed bumps) and also the steering wheel shakes at highway speeds of 60mph or more. Also, it's worth noting that my car does pull to one side(my original thought was alignment).

I'd like to know what I can expect and if the shop tries to charge me for a diagnostic, I'll have to figure this one out myself.

Thanks in advance for all the help and support, you guys are awesome!