Rack and pinion Opinion

[Blackpony]

Two years ago I replaced my rack with one from Auto zone, yesterday I discovered an excessive amount of play, therefore I need replace it. I can exchange it due to the lifetime warrenty, however if I go with an upgrade I'm only out 75 bucks. My question is what would be a better choice, AGR, Flaming River (which are expensive), or save my money and warranty out my rack?

[Bman]

Flaming River would not stand behind their pos rack in my car.

[mwaller5672]

I am amazed autozone still exist. When I first started working on my mustang I used auto zone. The quality is terrible. I started using ford racing stuff. So far so good. I sure there is people with horror stories about them also.

[facemelter71]

Where is the play at? Steering wheel? Have you checked front suspension components? Ball joints,tie rod inners and outters?

You can "tighten" up the rack "feel" if its to loose. The big nut on the front of the rack covers an adjustment nut for the rack. But please check all the rest of the items first.

[Stangman]

Checked your ragjoint in that car yet Jim? Those tend to go bad...

[Blackpony]

Everything in the front end has been replaced, and i just replaced the ragjoint with a flaming river shaft. I even removed the steering cover and tightened the two hidden bolts behind the turn signal switch. If it wasn't for the 1 inch play from side to side the steering would be tight. I got under the car and was able to turn the shaft and heard a slight clunking noise coming from the rack. From what i was told, the rack should not have any play unless you manually turn the wheel.

[Blackpony]

I've also read that there is a preload adjustment on the rack that might correct the problem.

[facemelter71]

That is the big nut you see from the front. Thats where the adjustment nut is.

[Blackpony]

That is the big nut you see from the front. Thats where the adjustment nut is.

Do you recommend attempting to adjust it?

[mustangjon]

Worst case it doesn't help and u take it back anyways

[Blackpony]

Worst case it doesn't help and u take it back anyways

True, but i think I may just go with a AGR or Flaming River rack

[facemelter71]

I run a flaming river in my car and love it. You can adjust the preload. Just do a little at a time. Like a quarter turn.

[Blackpony]

I believe I found the problem. I pulled the rack, and steering and intermediate bolted together and discovered they were loose; even as much as I tightened the two together, there was still play between them. See pick attached. I still have to think about how i will torque the hell out of them.

[Stangman]

Atleast the fix will be cheap! Add some loctite

[Blackpony]

Atleast the fix will be cheap! Add some loctite

The bolt wasn't loose, the two pieces just fit snug together, so i have to modify them a little