rack

[95blufrdr]

Hi All !!!!!
You guys are great at answering all the questions, so i am back with another. I have a 95 G.L. I think it needs a rack and pinion replaced. When you turn the steering wheel, it kind of sticks. It isn't real bad , but i am not sure. Can anyone tell me how hard it is to change this item ?? It has the zetec engine, if that helps. Thanks in advance for any and all help.
95

 

[projectSHO89]

Your symptoms are of a bad rack provided you've eliminated all the other possibilities.

Rack replacement is not for the faint of heart. You have to drop the subframe...


Steve

 

[SquareHead]

Rack.

Rack.

It's quite a big job. The sub-frame needs to be dropped to provide room for access and removal. If your skill level is better than average you can do it at home. Expect it to take 6 hrs.
Good luck!

 

[Tony2005]

.... When you turn the steering wheel, it kind of sticks. It isn't real bad , but i am not sure. ....

You may want to describe your symptoms a little more in detail.

Is it hard to turn, does it bind at the end (and loose sometimes)? Does it have groaning sound? etc.

Edit. Autozone link.
http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiB..._us/0900823d/80/1b/d6/6d/0900823d801bd66d.jsp

 

[95blufrdr]

rack

No moaning or groaning. Just kind of sticks right in the middle, like when you go straight and when you start to turn, it sticks a little.

 

[CSVT1214]

Just throwing a little info in also:

When I replaced my steering wheel with a new one. I overtightened the bolt holding the wheel on and my car was a pain to drive until after I loosened it. The steering wheel would hold it's position perfectly if I was driving on the highway unless I actually turned it myself. When I would turn it, it would stick and turn with some force. Gave me a sore wrist by the end of the day.

Did anything get serviced with the airbag, clockspring, steering wheel, etc. recently?