Hey guys I've been chasing a weird problem and I believe I've narrowed it down to the steering rack adjustment hex bolt/nut. When I turn my steering wheel it is hard to do so and when I am driving the wheel does not center itself completely after making a turn. I have done ball joints, inner and outer tie rods, caster arm bushings, engine/trans/diff mounts, steering rack bushings, and an alignment. Today I jacked the car up and by hand tried moving the front wheels left and right and they were very hard to move leading me to believe that an adjustment had been made on the rack by a previous owner of the car.

Below is a picture of how the hex looks on my steering rack:



Before I go adjusting does anyone know if that is the stock position of the hex or if it has been turned? I have reviewed many old threads but it is very hard to tell the stock position of the hex in them. If anyone could take a look underneath their car for me that hasn't tampered with it and knows the stock position that would be extremely helpful. Thank you in advance.

 

looks like who ever had the car before you did the adjustment.. You can tell by the two lines there in the metal... there all going to look the same unless it has been moved 1/8 or 1/4 of an inch... most will be marked like yours...

 

this is what you need to do. loosen the lock nut. a channel lock plier will work. tighten the center hex bolt. NOT SUPER TIGHT. just somewhat tight. then loosen the hex bolt 1/5 of a turn. then tighten back the lock nut. pay attention when you tighten the lock nut. sometimes the hex bolt will move as you tighten the lock nut

does this make sense?

 

It wasn't until I took the pics that the marks became visible to me. When I was looking at it the sun was coming my direction and making things harder to see. Thanks for the heads up

It does. Thanks for the tips.

 

Bumping this thread - I think after playing with the adjustment in my rack that the rack guide itself may be worn - I adjusted it 2X already and the 3rd time tonight, each time it goes a little more.

The rack guide as shown in this thread: http://www.yotatech.com/f2/how-repla...ctures-215931/

Looks like an engine bearing - if it wears through the bearing surface I'm thinking it will then wear very quickly.

The next chance I get I am going to completely unscrew the cap and pull out the guide to see how it looks.

Been chasing this steering play for a while now, I am convinced it is the cause of my vibration that comes and goes. It'll be fine for a few days, even a week or more - then it'll shake at highway speeds one day.

 

would like to see the results. looks like it would be a relatively quick check

 

Let us all know the results brotha

 

interested in this as well

 

i see some one has replaced the boot on your rack and used an after market clamp to secure it. the passenger side seal in these racks and boots go out all the time. does the power steering pump make any wierd noises when tuning the wheel at a dead stop. how hi does the rpm go when turning steering wheel at dead stop. alot of time failure for the return to center can be to much negative caster. with the car raised you can start the car and turn the wheel and see if you have and binding issues