Steering Rack Problem

[TRD-1]

Hi All,

I recently purchased my MK3 LS400 from lincoln, Ive been using it daily and I began to notice that it started pulling to one side (passanger side) and the steering wheel is not straight, wasn't when I brought it.

Today I took it to my local wheel alignment centre to have it all checked and adjusted, as he was about to loosen the track rod end nut soon as he turned it it popped off, apparantely it was only held in on about 2/3 turns of the thread. He tightened it up so that it was safer and now the car steering has gone even more to one side and the steering feels very lumpy, he could not adjust anything as there wasn't enough thread to adjust it the way it needed to go, so the tracking is way out at the moment.

I have also noticed that the alloy wheel on the front passanger side front is a different colour to all the others so this makes me think its had a bad knock on the wheel which might of damaged something, what would u guys advise me to check?....Possible damaged steering rack?....Is this difficult to replace?

Thanks in advance.

[ROYT]

Hi All,

I recently purchased my MK3 LS400 from lincoln, Ive been using it daily and I began to notice that it started pulling to one side (passanger side) and the steering wheel is not straight, wasn't when I brought it.

Today I took it to my local wheel alignment centre to have it all checked and adjusted, as he was about to loosen the track rod end nut soon as he turned it it popped off, apparantely it was only held in on about 2/3 turns of the thread. He tightened it up so that it was safer and now the car steering has gone even more to one side and the steering feels very lumpy, he could not adjust anything as there wasn't enough thread to adjust it the way it needed to go, so the tracking is way out at the moment.

I have also noticed that the alloy wheel on the front passanger side front is a different colour to all the others so this makes me think its had a bad knock on the wheel which might of damaged something, what would u guys advise me to check?....Possible damaged steering rack?....Is this difficult to replace?

Thanks in advance.

Yes and ball joints..

[Mybikesacx500]

Did the guy check to see if the other side was screwed in too far? That would be one explanation for the side he unscrewed being too far out, would it not?

[TRD-1]

Did the guy check to see if the other side was screwed in too far? That would be one explanation for the side he unscrewed being too far out, would it not?

Nah soon as the track rod end came off he seemed kinda puzzled and put it all back together and told me he couldn't do anything, so I didn't pay him, I got a few yards down the road and brought the car back as it was much worse than before, trying not to argue he explained that if he put it back to how it was, it would be dangerous. I just think they could not be bothered to investigate it any further, as it was the first job for a saturday morning and they had a long cue of customers to serve, I didn't want to make things worse for them so I left before they f**ked something else up..... :tsktsk:

But its booked in with my regular mechanic, Ive located a spare steering rack, but I will get him to check to see if the opposite side is over adjusted before I make any purchases.

Thanks for the advice guys, how hard is it though to take out the steering rack myself if I wanted to try?

[chunkz]

wasnt krap fit was it ? the stories i have heard about that place would make your toes curl

[TRD-1]

wasnt krap fit was it ? the stories i have heard about that place would make your toes curl

Nah, Ive heard some funny stories of those cow boys who work in those places to. I went to a company called Watling Tyres, I shall see what I find out tomorrow weather it needs a new rack or just proper adjustment. I was first contemplating taking it to Elite in rainham essex who are more of specialists, but they were a little to far.

[ManicMark]

Goodwin tyres in Green lane Ilford are also very good (been around donkeys years & specialise in 4 wheel tracking) Elites are good also.

[TRD-1]

Just a update on this issue I have had, for those of you who might encounter such a problem.

I brought a much lower mileage steering rack from benfur, when my mechanic got the car up on the ramps they could not understand why the tracking could not be adjusted in the direction needed, after measuring the complete rack they realised that the rack that was on the car was 3cm shorter than the one I had brought. The newer rack is on the car, and tomorrow I hope to take a trip to elites to have the 4 wheel alignment done.

The steering is still quite out from being centered so will get that sorted to, seems like the previous owner either had a incorrect rack fitted or something has happen to it somehow!

[Manc]

Just a update on this issue I have had, for those of you who might encounter such a problem.

I brought a much lower mileage steering rack from benfur, when my mechanic got the car up on the ramps they could not understand why the tracking could not be adjusted in the direction needed, after measuring the complete rack they realised that the rack that was on the car was 3cm shorter than the one I had brought. The newer rack is on the car, and tomorrow I hope to take a trip to elites to have the 4 wheel alignment done.

The steering is still quite out from being centered so will get that sorted to, seems like the previous owner either had a incorrect rack fitted or something has happen to it somehow!

Bloody 'ell, that is a botch job that someone left you, unbelievable that they can sell a car on like that, hows it passed its m.o.t?

How much is a steering rack out of interest?

Good luck & let us know how it went