Technical steering movement

[kev78]

have a problem with my stering rack/mounts i think.
All ideas would be appreciated
just fitted new links and wishbones so took the car to be tracked at the local kwikfit.
it was on the ramp for ages so i knew it was gonna be problems. the fitter said he was unable to track it properly because everytime he set it he would move the wheels lock to lock and back to centre as they do and find it wouldn't line up with where he had set it before by 4-5mm. consequently he didn't charge me for the work but said it could be the mounts have play in them or posibly the rack has movement internally. have checked where it mounts to the car and looks like it bolts straight through the crossmember at 2 places straight into the body of the rack so shouldn't move from there.

Any ideas on other things to check and how to prove if its in the rack itself (which i'm sure wont be cheap-best apply for a loan while i'm on the internet:yuck

car is a 2001 sx jtd105

 

[JTDman]

Pop the ball joints on the end of the rack and feel if there is any play , you can buy the end bits seperate.

 

[kev78]

thanks jtd man.
I take it you mean pop the track rod ends out of the hubs?
Is it best to do one side at a time with the wheels on the floor?

 

[JTDman]

Nope jack it and put stands under it , wheels off and poss invest in a ball joint splitter.

Something like this........

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BALL-JOINT-SE...vels?hash=item19b5b8504d&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

 

[Peat]

As a preliminary to pulling things apart it's possible you may be able to detect any play in the steering assembly by having someone gently rock the steering wheel whilst you get down and look at the components involved for any lack of movement.

At the very least it should give you an indication of where your problem lies.

HTH

Peat