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Location:
Sydney
Registered:
January 2004
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Rack freeplay? How to fix?
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Sun, 15 February 2004 08:23
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Is there any to adjust the rack to remove freplay. My friends 91 corolla has some freeplay - the balljoints look ok but one of the steering rack boots is split and it has leaked grease. I was just wondering if it's best to rip off the old boot, clean and repack with grease and put new boot on..or is there an adjustment. Or is it exchange rack time? Sorry I haven't played around too much with steering so i don't have much of a clue. The freeplay isn't too bad but not desirable. Is suppose I'm not sure it's in the rack..could be UJ, does anybody know the normal probs. The steering doesn't make any bad noises or clunks etc. The steering is power assisted.
Thanks. Do you think the split boot may have been the cause of the the freeplay? Dirt getting in?
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Location:
cambo
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: Rack freeplay? How to fix?
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Sun, 15 February 2004 09:24
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what car is it? if there is movement it is usually the inner rack-end. a split boot shouldnt cause this.
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Location:
Sydney
Registered:
January 2004
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Re: Rack freeplay? How to fix?
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Sun, 15 February 2004 10:05
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It's a 91 model corolla seca. When I peel the boot back I can see a ball and socket type joint to allow the steering arm to pivot with wheel movement. Inner rack end?..is this the ball and socket joint I described as it is at the end of the rack? Or something else. Thanks evo
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Location:
Montrose, VIC
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: Rack freeplay? How to fix?
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Sun, 15 February 2004 11:10
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Make sure you check out the uni joint on the top of the rack - I pulled one off my AE86 the other day, and that little bit of freeplay was because the damned thing was fractured right through 
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Location:
Sydney
Registered:
January 2004
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Re: Rack freeplay? How to fix?
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Sun, 15 February 2004 11:43
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f&*^. That's scary! Will check it out. Can you inspect it while it's still on the car, or will I have to get it out to check it properly. I usually do all my work with jacks and stands..do most of you use ramps to do this kind of work? Want to give myself the best chance 
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Location:
Montrose, VIC
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: Rack freeplay? How to fix?
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Sun, 15 February 2004 12:05
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I always use jack/stands. Sure, when I can afford it, I'll be right out there buying a hoist, but for now I'm stuck with lying on bits of cardboard (old fridge boxes) on the floor.
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Location:
Sydney
Registered:
January 2004
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Re: Rack freeplay? How to fix?
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Sun, 15 February 2004 12:12
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hey Mrshin: did you have to get it off the car to inspect it..or you could see it split on the car. Don't really wanna have to pull stuff apart..but if safety's at stake. Was hoping to just put a new boot on it and adjust easily someway. Not always an easy way out though is there
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Location:
Menai area of Sydney
Registered:
June 2003
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Re: Rack freeplay? How to fix?
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Sun, 15 February 2004 21:20
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Jack one wheel off the ground at a time and put your hands on the wheel at the "quarter to three" position. Push and pull with each hand to rockthe wheel left and right and see if there is any movement. If there is, check to see if the movement is at the tie rod ball joint end end where it goes through the steering knuckle or if the tie the whole tie rod is moving in and out as you rock the wheel sideways. I had a worn steering rack on an AE92 where the tie rod was moving in and out slightly. Took it to a steering specialist and he said he tightened the rod into the rack. Helped a bit but not a lot. Was cheaper to replace the rack than get it reconditioned. As for uni joint, you need to undo 6 (I think) 10mm bolts around the boot on the firewall that covers it to then have a look. (not very easy to get at depending on engine type and power steering if you have it. Turn the steering wheel to rotate the uni joint to inspect it. If no play in rack when checking as above, turning the wheel with the tyres on the ground should open up any cracks in the uni joint that might be giving freeplay. Also check that uni joint bolts (2) are both tight.
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Location:
Montrose, VIC
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: Rack freeplay? How to fix?
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Sun, 15 February 2004 22:34
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Actually, a while back the freeplay became noticeable, and I took a look and noticed the bolt in the uni joint was loose. I tightened this, and the free play was much reduced, I presumed the little bit left was in the rack from many miles of wear. It was only because I was fitting power steering (which needs the column, rack and crossmemeber to be swapped) and pulled it apart that I noticed the split in the uni joint. When I took it off, the pin in the middle of the joint collapsed clean in half...
Plus, mine is a lot easier to get at than the FWD ones
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Location:
Montrose, VIC
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: Rack freeplay? How to fix?
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Sun, 15 February 2004 22:34
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But it might well not be the uni joint anyway, find out where the problem is first by jacking up the front and feeling everything
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Location:
Sydney
Registered:
January 2004
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Re: Rack freeplay? How to fix?
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Mon, 16 February 2004 01:05
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Scorpion - there good ideas man..will have a look. I'm a little worried - there was some really light grease on the ball and socket where the split boot is. I'm just hoping this isn't power steering fluid - as that would mean exchange rack time. There's not much there. Has anybody else used or has seen really thin grease on this ball and socket?
Thanks mrshin and scorps
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Location:
Sydney
Registered:
January 2004
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Re: Rack freeplay? How to fix?
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Mon, 16 February 2004 01:42
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Anybody used Wynns or other Power Steering Treatment to stop small leaks - is it effective??
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Location:
Menai area of Sydney
Registered:
June 2003
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Re: Rack freeplay? How to fix?
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Mon, 16 February 2004 07:41
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I would normally expect there to be some grease on a ball and socket joint to lubricate it, otherwise it will wear out very quickly. What colour is the grease ? Power steering fluid is normally automatic transmissin fluid which is often red but not always. It would be "oily" rather than "greasy" if you know what I mean.
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Location:
cambo
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: Rack freeplay? How to fix?
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Mon, 16 February 2004 08:14
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if you want it done properlly take out the rack and get an exchange unit from BEBCO in Granville. they do a really good job and will give you a rack in 'as good as new' condtion. we've been using them for many years at my work. or, if you can, try and replace the inner rack end yourself. it all depends on how much you wanna spend on your car and how long you plan on keeping it.
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Location:
Sydney
Registered:
January 2004
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Re: Rack freeplay? How to fix?
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Mon, 16 February 2004 08:42
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Scorpion you were saying | Quote: |
It would be "oily" rather than "greasy" if you know what I mean.
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..is this referring to if it was leaking P/S fluid and not the way it should be? Cause it didn't seem to have any other grease just this kind of oily stuff on it..that looked suspiciously like the colour in the p/s reserviour.
I'll be doing the front shocks in the car tommorrow...thanks Phill at Pittwater Brake & Clutch - had them in stock and good price. But I'll have a better look at it then. I'll keep Bebco in mind if it doesn't pass "sctrutineering" , Phill said he does exchange racks aswell. Rang a couple of places out western sydney way and they wanted around $360 just for an exchange rack - does that seem resonable?
Thanks for the responses! 
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