Rack and Pinion internal play?

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BaileySims
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Rack and Pinion internal play?

Post by BaileySims »

There is this weird play inside the rack and pinion. I will be making a video shortly to help better describe the situation I am having. Its like a rotational play.
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BaileySims
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Re: Rack and Pinion internal play?

Post by BaileySims »

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Re: Rack and Pinion internal play?

Post by marlinh »

That movement is going through from side to side? Weird!
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Re: Rack and Pinion internal play?

Post by BaileySims »

That's what I'm saying. I'm hoping it's alright and I have nothing to worry about. I drove it today and it felt fine. I have never seen anything like this before either.
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Re: Rack and Pinion internal play?

Post by Petros »

there is a thread about an adjustment that can be done at the pinion gear to eliminate slop. It is not an obviuos adjustment, I think you have to remove a swagged in cap or cover to get to the adjustment next to the pinion gear.

the only thing that I recall that prevents the rack from rotating like that is the pinion gear, if it is worn it can be adjusted. If it is chewed up, it has to be replaced.
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BaileySims
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Re: Rack and Pinion internal play?

Post by BaileySims »

I all of a sudden have encountered another problem with the, I'm assuming, rack and pinion or steering u joint. It was driving fine all morning and around noon or so, the steering started to bind up every quarter turn or so. There's no weird noises, the pump is full and there aren't any leaks. Inner and outer tie rods are new and there no play in anything. Would I be right to guess it would be the u joint ?

Alao, is it safe to drive like this?
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Re: Rack and Pinion internal play?

Post by rer233 »

Yes you would- just spray the joints with WD40 and turn the wheel right to left. Good Luck!

























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Re: Rack and Pinion internal play?

Post by Petros »

soaking it in penetrating oil should help if that is the problem. liekly you will be replacing that U-joint soon, there is a thread on the topic, and sours for the correct size u-joint (not from Toyota, for them they are listed as NLA).
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'92 Mazda MPV 4wd (wife's daily driver)
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Re: Rack and Pinion internal play?

Post by BaileySims »

I finally got around to adjusting the pinion gear in the rack today. I was only able to turn it by hand but I did almost one full rotation. The loud clunk is not noticeable anymore either. So, if you have that clunk and your rack isn't leaking any yet, I would highly suggest anyone with the problem tighten the pinion gear adjustment ASAP. I believe that if I would have done it at the first sign of the noise, it would have stopped all that rotational play and my seals would still be good. A new rack is definitely on the list now.
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Re: Rack and Pinion internal play?

Post by Petros »

so, adjust it now, or risk replacing the whole rack later.

True with a lot similar maintenance items.
'87 Tercel 4wd SR5 (current engine swap project)
'84 Tercel 4wd (daily driver, with on going mods)
'92 Mazda MPV 4wd (wife's daily driver)
'85 Tercel 4wd DLX auto(daughter's daily driver)
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Re: Rack and Pinion internal play?

Post by BaileySims »

I am in need of some assistance here. I just purchased a complete rack and pinion kit from RA and I believe they sent me through wrong one. I now have to return it possibly tomorrow. While I checked on RA just now, they have gotten a seal kit for the rack and pinion and I would like to know which route to go. Do I just go with a complete unit or buy the seal kit? Are there any special tools required to reseal my factory rack? Will the seal kit they sell even be for the factory rack? Help a brother out.
:(

Here's a screen shot. The rack I bought doesn't show up in the list anymore so maybe they did send me the wrong part.
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Re: Rack and Pinion internal play?

Post by Petros »

I do not know what comes in the kit, but there are bearings or bushings that wear out inside the assembly. When they get sloppy the seals get wiped out, so unless the kit comes with new internal bushings or bearings just replacing the seals will not fix it. I do not think they are difficult to rebuild, there might be a procedure for it in the FSM.
'87 Tercel 4wd SR5 (current engine swap project)
'84 Tercel 4wd (daily driver, with on going mods)
'92 Mazda MPV 4wd (wife's daily driver)
'85 Tercel 4wd DLX auto(daughter's daily driver)
'01 Honda Civic (other daughter's daily driver)
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BaileySims
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Re: Rack and Pinion internal play?

Post by BaileySims »

Took that advice and ran with it. I was unsure if the seal kit came with bearings so I just bought the whole rack. Currently waiting on parts to finish this scion, hopefully tomorrow I can finish it. Anyway I just had this question. When installing the rack, is there a point when one would know when the rack is even on both sides? I don't want to install it and then have to pull and correct the orientation of the steering wheel. Unless that's what I have to do. Just trying to make a bit less work for myself. Thanks.
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Re: Rack and Pinion internal play?

Post by Petros »

if you are talking about how much it protrudes from both sides of the rack housing, I would get it even on both sides. There may be a centering mark, check the FSM.
'87 Tercel 4wd SR5 (current engine swap project)
'84 Tercel 4wd (daily driver, with on going mods)
'92 Mazda MPV 4wd (wife's daily driver)
'85 Tercel 4wd DLX auto(daughter's daily driver)
'01 Honda Civic (other daughter's daily driver)
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Re: Rack and Pinion internal play?

Post by helipilot77 »

I'll be doing this soon as well. My steering started binding up on the way to work (not a very good feeling) I already got the new rack. I also went ahead and got a new pump and pressure lines so I can do the whole thing while I'm in there.
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