Thread: What are the signs that it is time for a new rack and pinion?

182,000 miles on the clock....

I feel weird things in the front end when I back out of the driveway. Just replaced both ball joints and both outer tie rod ends, new agx's and hyperco springs...

Any wandering or odd vibes?

no vibes, no wandering. I may need to check the control arm bolts from replacing them, make sure they are tight.

Pick up some new rack bushings. Not sure if ES makes them for the b14.

For rack and pinion bushings on a B14 it states 7.10103 and either G or R depending on colour.

I get some pulsing in my steering wheel when I'm backing out of the drive way. So in a low velocity heavy steering situation. ANybody have a clue on what that is? I figure its related to my powersteering pump or the powersteering pump belt. I've just noticed recently in this cold weather.

Yeah... I have them somewhere remember..

Well I know I need a new one. Or get a re built one to say the least. I know mine is pulling very badly to the passenger side. And its really weird too.. because when the car is cold or hasn't been driven in a few days. I get in and turn the wheel and there is this stiff POP in the wheel and I can feel it on the floor board. If I rock the wheel back and forth a few times it goes away.. but if I drive when its still kinda cold and I do a slight curve in the road it will fight me and then POP again and then the car pulls hard the other way. Very weird.

I was talking to a guy at work that used to run his own mechanic shop and he said that there is a small bushing near the yolk that can go bad after some time. Basically dry out and crack away. And if its not there < esp on FWD cars > that after a while it will start to pull. And I have been having this happen to me for some 3 year now thinking it was my control arms, tires pull.. strut and ball joints. I'm just pretty unsure as to go about changing it. Seems like a hell of a tough job.

like what kind of wierd things, i know that the strut bushings can go bad and cause wierd noises and feelings i the steering wheel when turning the wheel, a great way to tell if those are bad is lift up the front end so the wheels are off the ground, with the suspension hanging, turn the wheels with your hand outside the vehicle, while watching the top of the strut, from the bottom where the spring meets the top, see if the strut turns smoothly or if it catches, if it does the strut bearings are toast.



i would bet you need to flush the power steering system, they use just plain ol' transmission fluid, also check the power steering belt, if its cracked or looks glazed i would replace it, its possible that it could be slipping in cold conditions.

Your inner tie rods could be worn which can be replaced.

Your lower control arm bushings could be worn and is very common. The best solution for that, in my opinion, is the Energy Suspension bushing kit.