Steering rack play

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Ettienne
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Hi

Can anyone give me advice on my IO's steering rack play.

I bought my 1999 1.8Lt IO a few month ago. I saved some money and got some of the suspension parts togther. Last weekend i put in new strut mounting along with new factory springs and the KYB 334405 struts with the higher purch.Now I will be able to fit 225/75/16 in the new year; cant wait. 

After all that I did the wheel alignment to make sure all is well. This is when I was told that there is play on the steering rack. Not the tigh rods.

This will stuff up my new tyres if i don't get if fixed. However can you replace only the parts that are worn or do you have to replace the whole steering rack.

This is to much $$$ to spend. Can anyone offer any advice. I really like the car but this is a big problem.

 

Then another question. I have 15mm strut mounted spacers to give me extra clearance along with the above work. This also is a problem as my tyres cannot be alligned properly. They say i have to slot the struts at the bottom holes to help with the allignment or do something at the top where it is bolted into the mounting so you can move it around. Any help on this. What is the best solution?

Thanks

Ettienne 

South Africa

 

Thanks from E van eck

fordem
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Find out EXACTLY where the play is...

Saying there is play in the steering rack tells us very little - the most common places for play are the rack ends (two) and the rod ends (two) - both of which are replaceable separately.  It is also possible to have play between the rack & the pinion if the pinion bearings have failed, if the rack preload is incorrectly set (this is sometimes adjustable) or if the rack and/or pinion are worn - none of these last three have any impact on wheel alignment, although they will contribute to a generally vague steering - another possibility (if the play is beween the steering wheel and the road wheels is a loose pinch bolt or worn UJs in the steering column.

What I want to suggest is that you find a mechanic/shop who knows what they are doing - when I hear about slotting the "bottom holes" of the strut I started to wonder - have they ever heard of camber bolts?  Also slotting the top hole usally allows more core correction, and is more common.

Yes - adjustable top plates are available - Claude had a set made, I'm sure KMac will be willing to do more.

Claude io
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rack and wheel aligment

As Fordem said, try to find a bit more about the steering rack play. one thing you could do is have someone to move the steering wheel left to right (by a small amount, just to slightly move the tyres) . When he does this put your hand on the outside tie rod end, then around the boot, on both side. If you are lucky you will feel the free play on these or one of these location. Lucky because it is cheaper as they can be replaced without replacing the rack. Bob have done this repair on his car, but I could not find his posting....I am sure that he will let you know. This need to be fixed.

 

For the wheel alignment, on most io, you might get away by not doing anything. (the steering rack still need to be fixed) The problem is often the camber being more positive that what it should be (because of the lift). If you have the number, I can confirm then. My bet is that your camber is close to one degre positive, ask them and get back to us. Like Fordem, I do not like their idea to modify the strut, not the best idea. 

Happy io

bob_oz
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inner tie rod joints

I've had to replace the rack-end-ball joint before - unlikely that the rack has enough wear to be picked up.

easy way to check is to turn the wheel side to side while someone else feels each joint - you will quickly discover the worn joint.

this was mine - I paid someone to do the job as it is a bitch!

.

Claude io
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rack

You just need a BIG spanner ! I have some of those in spare from when I replaced my complete rack...but the freight might be too much....

Happy io

Dragonrider
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Tie rods


I have a 1998 pajero io from Japan and took it to have the wheels replaced and an alignment done.  When it came to the alignment, the mechanic jacked up a front portion to show me the play in the wheel, which was from side to side.  He said the rod ends were needing to be replaced.  Problem is, I am in the Philippines and of course they don't have the same parts.  Does anyone know a website in Japan that I could order the parts from and have them shipped?  Also, looking on ebay I saw some parts but they were for a pinpin, will they interchange?

 

Thanks,

Hal

Piotr
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Try searching at your local

Try searching at your local shop with part number : MB912519. I guess it was used in at least few models.

 

had: Mercedes S124 300CE, Rover 75

have: Pinin, Lexus ES330,

want to have Mercedes W140 500

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