3 replies to this topic

[jcl17]

I am questioning what I need to replace and whether I need a whole new steering rack or just some of the components.

I was hit hard by another car in the front right wheel during a spin (my fault). Bent pretty much everything in the suspension and I replaced the knuckle, outer tie rod end, upper and lower control arms. All were bent according to advanced autosports checkers (nice to have). Sub frame was good and the driver side suspension was fine. I did not inspect or replace with the steering rack or inner tie rods due to lack of know how.

I redid I my alignment and all was good for most of last season. Had a 4 off and noticed slight to moderate pull to the right. Figured it was toe and loose out tie rod and planned to adjust but when I came off a large bump in a track and where the car comes down pretty hard, I lost steering and went off track. Now there is 90 degrees of free steering wheel play. What is it? Is this a complete steering rack replace, problem in the steering column u joint, inner tie rods??? Sorry for newb question.

[tynor]

I had similar symptoms a few seasons ago. Turned out to be my steering wheel (!).   The splines on the quick release adapter had worn down to the point that they were no longer deep enough to engage with the steering shaft.    Made for a very "exciting" time in turn 10B of Road Atlanta - I turned the wheel right and the car just kept going straight off the track.   Lucky for me that's probably the slowest part of the track and I didn't hit anything or anyone.

[jcl17]

Interesting. I’ll look at that. I can see the intermediate shaft turns when the wheel turns however. I’m sure there is a common steering failure point when the front end takes a 90 hard hit that someone with experience with such an incident or who repairs them can point out what the common failure points might be.

[Bench Racer]

My post is to help you learn what's within the steering rack and within the steering column. 

 

Steering column:

 

Scroll down to get larger picture of steering column. There is a splined/clamp u-joint at the steering rack to accept the splined shaft of the steering column. There is a second splined/clamp u-joint about mid point of the steering shaft length. There should be zero play at these connections. Also there should be zero play at steering wheel connection to the steering shaft.

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/294209142267

 

Steering rack:

 

Feel free to ask any question which pauses you.

 

This guy's (Name please) home town is Ada MI which is near Grand Rapids MI. MI folks, how about some hands on support.