"Normal" steering rack

[jelloslug]

I have had my 3rd gen subframe and rack swap in for a little while now. I have a small dead spot in the steering and seeing that I have never actually owned or driven a 3rd gen, how much play in the steering is "normal" for a 3rd gen setup?

 

[1995mtxsho]

Ummm Zero...? I'm going with zero, Yup, uhhuh..

 

[jelloslug]

Ummm Zero...? I'm going with zero, Yup, uhhuh..

That's what I wanted to hear.

 

[zach44102]

My 206k mile gen3 has zero dead spots

 

[jelloslug]

I would imagine that my problem is in the column or the joint.

 

[kevinspann]

steering shaft.

Are you using the gen 3 shaft, or the gen 2?

 

[jelloslug]

steering shaft.

Are you using the gen 3 shaft, or the gen 2?

Gen 3 shaft. I just checked the column and there seems to be no play all the way down to the rack. To me it seems to be either the pinch bolt at the rack or something further down.

 

[1995mtxsho]

SHO or SLO rack? Huge difference...
Tie rods may be sloppy...

 

[jelloslug]

SHO or SLO rack? Huge difference...
Tie rods may be sloppy...

ZF rack. I don't feel any unusual movement in the tie rods.

 

[jimtash]

Sway bar links good? Just replaced the factory originals on mine and it improved the steering response.

 

[BamSHO]

Is there any thumbing noise when stopped and you turn the wheel. My Gen3 did that and the inner tie rods where toast. Mine is very tight, but also have all new inner, outer, lower ball joints and end links. Both Gen 3's I had and no "dead" spots.


Brian Michael
98 black Gen3

 

[stephen newberg]

My 206k mile gen3 has zero dead spots

Mine is at 201k and also has none. I would be tempted to check other steering components prior to assuming the problem is the rack, as others above had pointed at.

pax, smn

 

[jelloslug]

Sway bar links good? Just replaced the factory originals on mine and it improved the steering response.

End links are new as well as the mount bushing.

 

[jelloslug]

Mine is at 201k and also has none. I would be tempted to check other steering components prior to assuming the problem is the rack, as others above had pointed at.

pax, smn

Tonight I had my wife turn the wheel back and forth while I had my hand on the tie rod. You could definitely feel some kind of clicking in the tie rod as it moved in and out. It was very regular and in the same spot every time.

 

[stephen newberg]

Well, that is sounding a lot more like the rack. Unfortunately.

pax, smn

 

[jelloslug]

Just a quick update for people that may find this in a search: I replaced the rack, it fixed the clicking feeling but did not fix the looseness. I then replaced the entire steering rack and the lower slip joint with a part from a 2004 Taurus. That fixed the slop in the steering and all is well now.

 

[zak]

jello do you mean you tried tie rods first, then went with a 2004-2007 steering rack?

 

[jelloslug]

jello do you mean you tried tie rods first, then went with a 2004-2007 steering rack?

No, I already had a 3rd gen ZF rack in my car (as well as a 3rd gen subframe). The rack had some issues so I changed it (as well as all the tie rod ends). It fixed the clicking and notchiness but the play was still there. The only thing left that could cause the dead play in the steering was between the rack and the steering wheel. I already had a 3rd gen intermediate shaft and firewall boot so I found a steering column and intermediate shaft from a 2004 Taurus. My old column had bad bearings so it needed to be replaced and the new joints and intermediate shaft fixed the dead play in the steering. Another note: The replacement ZF rack has fewer mines on it than my old rack. I have read that as the servotronic steering racks wear that the steering gets lighter and lighter. My new rack has a noticeably heavier feel, even at the highest assist.