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Hello all.
My Celsior has another steering problem, now that I've fixed the mounts.
The RH rod coming out the rack that the tie rod end attaches to (I believe it may be called the steering rack end). Mine has about 2-3 millimeters play in it (er... 1/10th of an inch?). This translates to quite a lot of RH wheel movement.
I've never played with rack and pinion steering before. I assume the likely culprit is the ball joint of sorts that must be on the inside of the boot. If I just order a new RH steering rack end is that likely to include the parts to fix the slop?
I think so, but I thought I'd just check if that's likely to be the problem or is it more likely to be something inside the rack. The steering wheel now has no slack (new mounts fixed that) and the LHS has no slop at all.
Thank you bradland.
OK. So first, the steering rod components on rack and pinion steering are called inner tie rod and presumably outer tie rod or just tie rod end? Cool. Got that now.
Next question. Is that joint in the inner tie rod likely to be the issue or is there something else that could cause the whole inner tie rod to move in and out a few millimeters?
Sorry about being pedantic, I just want to be able to order and and fit it without having to take it apart to look first, put it back together, order one, wait for a week for it to get here then take it apart again.
As stated, my experience with rack and pinion steering is zero (surprisingly).
So, like many things on this car, I'm delving into the unknown for me.
Inner tie rods will wear out but not as quickly as the outer rods. It's really hard to say if the inner rod is the culprit from behind a computer screen but if the play was inside the rack I'm guessing both sides would move in unison. Inners can also be a PITA to remove even with the proper tools. Typically tie rods are replaced in pairs, both outers, or all 4. Since you're in there you might as well.....
This diagram may help-
Parts ordered. Replacing as soon as they get here.
Will then do a bit of geometry to set the toe. Anyone know what the toe angle should be? I figure about 1.5 - 2 Deg Toe out? (or to put it what I think is the proper way: -1.5 to -2 degrees Toe).
EDIT: Did some checking: Looks like Toe should be about 0 to 0.5 degree (toe in). With same tires front and rear, that makes it easy.
Done. Inner Tie Rod end arrived sometime in the last week. I was away for the week.
Got back last night, installed today. Set toe to about 0.1 to 0.4 (checked several times, results are reasonably repeatable, so no more movement. Very happy.
89 Celsior has plenty of room to get a large adjustable crescent (wrench) on the inner ball joint, so no Inner Tie Rod end Remover tool needed.
06-09-18, 11:57 AM
1989 Celsior LS400 Steering Rack End play
