Steering Rack, My turn but when?

[AimCOtaco]

I have finally finished off my steering rack after wondering for awhile now how it was still holding on with all the stories of multiple replacements on so many 100's here.

My question is this: How long can I drive on the road with a clunk in the rack before it bites me?

I noticed a bit of torque steer or acceleration induced steering since Cruise Moab where I did ride the truck hard. On the highway ride home (Moab-Denver) I first noticed this minor wander. It's minor and safe and managable but noticeable. I had overloaded my old rear links in Moab but most of my front end is fresh so I've just installed all 4 Metal Tech rear control arms and a Slee adjustable panhard to get rid of all the old sloppy rubber back there and the truck tracks much much better now. Noticing the wander or steering shift was still present, I had my daughter work the steering while I felt around for the issue. I was not too surprised to find the rack as the issue. Feeling through the rack boots its clear that the driven part of the rack rocks a bit in it's housing (the housing is firmly mounted in it's urethanes) so the rack is done. (yeah, I should have started with the front end but I couldn't find the time to check up on it and really needed all the rear links anyway , not that that was a quick driveway job either)

I've scrapped any plans for wheeling this weekend but do plan to visit the Colorado high country next week and drive 500-700 miles, mostly I-70, all pavement (sad I know). I would rather not try and expedite a rack order and install before Monday mornings departure but I don't want it to get significantly worse or start puking fluid while we're trying to have a mellow mountain week.

Should I not give it another thought and just go? I mean I drove it home from Moab like that and a few hundred miles since and it has not worsened.

Should I try and adjust rack pre-load? Anybody ever get any improvement that way? Is it worth my time?

Interested in opinions from those who have been through a rack or 3.

Thanks a lot!

 

[Odyseuss]

I can't be the one to give you the go ahead (especially without looking at it first hand), cause it's really a judgement call that you need to make, and it sounds like the rack needs to be replaced, but heres a couple things to consider if it helps.

If you have time to swap the rack out, then it's probably worth the piece of mind and you know it needs to be done eventually. But maybe you just don't have the time and it can be a bit of a project plus you need an alignment after. So, does it leak? If so I'd be a bit more concerned about it, but either way it's easy to check and top off the fluid and carry some extra just in case. If your only driving it on road and you have a good feel for how it handles and you feel confident that you can drive it safely, and you have inspected all the tie rod ends and mounting bolts, then that might help you feel more confident about using it. You could also inspect the sector shaft linkage from the steering wheel to the rack. You could also give it a good run through in a parking lot lock to lock or evaluate if it's performance has changed much over the past miles since Moab. I know it's not much, and pretty vague long sentances, but that's about all I have for you. Good luck.

 

[AimCOtaco]

Well, CDan at American Toy has a new one in stock and it should be in my hands on Friday! I'll decide if fathers day is for wrenching or rolling the dice and relaxing... at least I'll have a fresh rack on-board if not installed for next week.


I know nobody can make the call but me, just wondering out loud and all input is welcome.

 

[bluecruiser]

I'd drive as is and not worry about it. Replace when ready. As long as fluid is kept up, I haven't read about any full blown failures that would deter me from the trip you describe. New racks are nice though. All types.

 

[AimCOtaco]

I'd drive as is and not worry about it. Replace when ready. As long as fluid is kept up, I haven't read about any full blown failures that would deter me from the trip you describe. New racks are nice though. All types.

That's the push I was looking for... I'll probably let it ride, otherwise I'll be wrenching instead of sleeping and trying to squeeze in an alignment....
I'll throw the new one in the back so if it gets nasty I can bail and leave the truck/parts in some shop somewhere along the way.


How many racks did you roast in your 100 ( of the steering variety ) when you were still flogging it?

 

[yotasavg]

I'm in the let it ride camp too, that's what I've currently been doing. Mine could be replaced, but it's not terrible and I only have to add about 1/4" of fluid to the reservoir every other oil change or so. I noticed it go down some when I increased altitude quickly, but that's been the only scenario that made me nervous. The good news is as soon as it gets a bit lower on fluid than it should be I've been able to hear the pump whine a bit, and pull over to address it. Has not been a serious issue for me, and upon my request a few mechanics have checked it out and said it's fine but should be replaced if the seal gets worse. A new rack is in the pipeline, but I trust it for now. I hope yours keeps you safe too.

 

[SmoothLC]

My rig is in the same boat as ^ yota. It leaks and I've had it looked at by a couple mechanics.

Unless it really leaks, it's good to go. Until then I watch and add a little fluid.

 

[bluecruiser]

How many racks did you roast in your 100 ( of the steering variety ) when you were still flogging it?

Truck had a total of three. Original went to about 180K (only 60K were my miles), next was a reman (needed in a hurry, no OEM in town) and that lasted about 15K and starting leaking really bad. Sold the truck with the third one in it. A OEM rack with about 30K miles on it. I installed the aftermarket SuperPro bushings into the last rack before initial installing, as well.

 

[timer00]

Just replaced the bushings on my 202k rack.. Solved the wandering, loose steering wheel problems I was having.
No leaks yet and haven't had to touch steering fluid since I got it last year. I probably will buy a new Oem rack to have around since its a matter of time and one day the racks may be in short supply.. OEM wise that is.