Steering help, freeplay on drivers side wheel

**Da_Ronz** · 08-01-2007, 08:10 PM

Hey dudes, just wondering what is involved in the repair of a steering rack. The car is a 91 corolla GTi.

The problem is that when i have the car jacked up and try and turn the drivers side wheel (the wheels that are on the ground, not steering wheel), there is a little bit of freeplay. The passenger side has none what so ever.

Can i just replace the end of does the whole rack need to be replaced?

Ive been quoted $320 for a second hand steering rack fitted which includes labour and fluid.

Whats the chances that the second hand unit will have the same problem eventually? Its a fairly good quote considering i got quoted $500+ just for a reco unit. Add another 150ish for labour and the costs blow out.

Also, i have been told that i can get away with just replacing the rack end. I havent been able to track down anyone who sells just the rack end. Ive tried wreckers, heaps of tyre/suspension places, even pedders wont get them in.

Where would be the best place to get the end and boot from?

Im leaning more towards the second hand rack option.

What are some of your thoughts, any help appreciated.

**peedman** · 08-01-2007, 08:37 PM

Yeah you should be able to replace the rack end just need to find out whether its the inner or the outer ball joint. You need a mate to jiggle the wheel while u feel which one has the play. If your fairly handy with a spanner an afternoon down at some wreckers and a few hours with your car and you can change it in no time. Just need spanner and socket set and a universal balljoint remover.

The thing about getting second hand is that the unit will be roughly the same age as yours so the chances of it failing could be a possibility.

**love ke70** · 08-01-2007, 08:56 PM

sounds like your balljoint is worn.
most wreckers are lovely pains in the arse and "Wont split the rack, sorry mate, no, wont happen, no, i dont care if i dont sell it ever, i wont seperate it. bye. click"
so you need to find the right wrecker that will split the wrack, and you secondly need to find a good joint.
failing that can you get new?

**Da_Ronz** · 08-01-2007, 09:00 PM

the best i can do is a reco unit, but even that is over $500.

Im probably going to head down to repco tomorrow and see if they sell rack ends, i have seen them on ebay but id rather have a look first.

**IN 05 NT** · 08-01-2007, 09:22 PM

dude, toyota will have the rack ends, or will be able to order it in,

once done you still need a wheel allingnment,

blake

**IN 05 NT** · 08-01-2007, 09:23 PM

oh and when taking the old rack end off, count how many turns when undoing it, so that the wheel allignment is as close to what it was when you pulled it apart, make driving to the weelo easier,

blake

**love ke70** · 08-01-2007, 09:24 PM

trick is to mark the end with white out, on the threads, so you know to wind it up to the white out, and no further.

**Dale** · 08-01-2007, 09:54 PM

I know about 12 months ago I had the RHS rack end replaced in my ae92, which I'd assume has the same or very similar steering rack to your car.. it cost me I think $100 to get done by a shop, + whatever extra the wheel alignment was. They used new parts too so you can certainly get them. Don't waste your time with used parts!

And FWIW I'm pretty certain the shop that did mine gets all their parts through repco, just determine whether the gti steering rack is any different to all the other ae92 racks.. if they're the same then you'll do a lot better asking for rack ends to suit an ae92, or a seca

**Da_Ronz** · 08-01-2007, 10:32 PM

thanks guys, ill head over to repco tomorrow morning and get the rack end.

ill book my car in to a tyre/suspension place to get the work done and wheel alignment all in one hit.

Would it also be worth replacing the tie rod end while im at it?

**Dale** · 08-01-2007, 11:56 PM

If it's looking a bit shabby I'd just replace it now to be safe, as if you have to do it in the future you'll be up for another wheel alignment. Although if one's looking shabby I'd replace them both now prior to the wheel alignment.

Knowing what ripco is like I'd call them and get a quote and to check availability first, if you let the workshop doing the work order the parts consider that they'll probably get a cheaper price on the parts due to having a trade account

**love ke70** · 09-01-2007, 08:16 PM

cant you do it yourself and just get wheel alignment?
its only a few bolts and some persuasion

**Da_Ronz** · 09-01-2007, 10:39 PM

thats looking like the best bet.

Only problem is that now i have to figure out which rack it is. For my car there were two different racks, a toyoda one or a kyoyo (sp?) one. Tomorrow ill jack it up and have a closer look. Once i find out for sure, ill head down and get the ends ($30 each for new ones, not bad imo) and have a stab at it myself.