Replaced steering rack, but now...

[Chirpbark]

So I had a mobile mechanic install a new rack assembly for $100, but now the sound it was making on tight turns (grumbly inner tie rods), it's making on slow acceleration straight forward, & on fast, moderate turns. So aggravating Any ideas?

[dlb]

can you remind us what the sound is that it's making?

did you replace the power steering pump when you had the rack replaced? you might try taking the power steering belt off to see if it still makes the sounds then.

[Chirpbark]

It sounds somewhat like a creaking wooden ship, or like the wheels or axles are meeting resistance or stumbling when trying to rotate. It doesn't *seem to affect motion, but maybe it is in the slightest. It could also be a weird rattle. The issue before was loose inner tie rod ends, and this is pretty much the same sound, but under mostly different circumstances.

[simon84]

I had a steering rack replaced on my 84 (not power steering) and afterwards it clunked when I was steering (making R & L or U turns). It was the U joint between the steering rack and the firewall.
It settled down eventually.
Sounds like a different noise than you have, but something to consider.

[Tercel__jon]

Ive got that creaking noise too...Ive narrowed it down to worn out bushings causing things to flex where they arent suppose to.

[Chirpbark]

Turns out it was mostly a cv problem. It seems a lot of the grease in each boot has vanished or clumped(?), even though no boots are torn.
The temporary solution: needle-injecting bearing grease into each boot. I'm worried I've done permanent damage, but I won't know more til I fill each boot all the way.

Side note: I hear molybdenum grease is not the best for bearings, since the stuff can build up & act like dirt :/ Which is unfortunate, because Empi axles use it. Wouldn't use white lithium either, but silicone seems ok, if it's thick enough.

Anyway, are joints damaged once they start clacking, or at least for over 150 miles, or would more grease just do the trick?

[dlb]

unfortunately, yes, clicking/thumping/etc is the death knell for cv joints. i doubt adding grease will decrease the symptoms because once the joint is used while insufficiently lubed, the polished surfaces of the joint get scarred, rough, and out of tolerance. grease can't fix that. the good news is that cv axles are not hard to replace and there are quite a few threads on here with tips on the job.

[jimcrazy]

i just replaced both axles sunday ,took about 1 1/2 hrs. mine shuddered bad on right hand turns it was like a tire was out of balance but both axles were still tight not sloppy, no torn boots but they were cheap only lasted about 80000 kms

[Chirpbark]

Replaced the axles, now a bearing is bad, of course. Do u know if each bearing just needs 1 retainer/seal, or do I need the 3-piece kit?

[marlinh]

You need an inner and outer seal, and the bearing.

[ARCHINSTL]

xirdneh video sticky of front wheel bearing replacement: https://tercel4wd.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=10415
and
sdoan pictorial on same: https://tercel4wd.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=5082
Tom M.

[Chirpbark]

Nice, thx!