Rack and Pinion
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 981
Likes: 0
From: Anderson South Carolina
Rack and Pinion
I just installed a new, not rebuilt, rack and pinion in my '89 Z51 car. I am now getting a popping when the steering wheel is moved from lock to lock. It seems that it is popping twice in each direction.
Anybody have any ideas?
Also, does anyone know of someone that can rebuilt the one I took out?
vettmike
:confused:
Anybody have any ideas?
Also, does anyone know of someone that can rebuilt the one I took out?
vettmike
:confused:
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,186
Likes: 1,741
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Re: Rack and Pinion (vettmike)
No whining or anything right?
I would think maybe something else is not bolted in correctly or tightened properly in the front suspension. Unless its actually a defect.
I would think maybe something else is not bolted in correctly or tightened properly in the front suspension. Unless its actually a defect.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,342
Likes: 264
From: Summerland B.C. Canada
Re: Rack and Pinion (vettmike)
Maybe your rack has some movement. Get someone to turn the wheel while you watch the rack and steering components. :cheers:
Oh and as for rebuilding their are remanufacturers that do this. I just put in a rebuilt z51 rack and it was rebuilt here in Canada. I'm sure if you check with your local jobber they can give you the name of their remanufacturer. :cheers:
[Modified by AGENT 86, 4:59 PM 11/6/2003]
Oh and as for rebuilding their are remanufacturers that do this. I just put in a rebuilt z51 rack and it was rebuilt here in Canada. I'm sure if you check with your local jobber they can give you the name of their remanufacturer. :cheers:
[Modified by AGENT 86, 4:59 PM 11/6/2003]
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 87
Likes: 0
From: Brisbane QLD
Re: Rack and Pinion (Coupe89)
I also had that left hand bolt loose and it clicked everytime I go over a gutter. :boxing
The problem is that the bolt which hold the rack passes through as you probably know a hole in the crossmember then a round sleeve in the rack and then back through the crossmember.
I noticed that the bolt and the hole in the crossmember seem the right size for each other, however the inside diameter of the sleeve in the rack is above 1 or 2 mm larger. This is where the movement is coming from.
I haven't fixed mine this week, I have it planned for next week. I was thinking of getting a new sleeve which matches the bolt's ext. diameter.
I hope this explains it, your car might be different to mine, this is just what I have found is happening to me.
The problem is that the bolt which hold the rack passes through as you probably know a hole in the crossmember then a round sleeve in the rack and then back through the crossmember.
I noticed that the bolt and the hole in the crossmember seem the right size for each other, however the inside diameter of the sleeve in the rack is above 1 or 2 mm larger. This is where the movement is coming from.
I haven't fixed mine this week, I have it planned for next week. I was thinking of getting a new sleeve which matches the bolt's ext. diameter.
I hope this explains it, your car might be different to mine, this is just what I have found is happening to me.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 2,168
Likes: 16
From: Phoenix AZ
Re: Rack and Pinion (vettmike)
Well, after reading through this thread I either replaced a perfectly good rebuilt GM rack with a second rack and didn't notice the bolt was loose, or I have bad news for you. I had the same thing going on, with the car off and the column unlocked I could turn the wheel and hear the noise, after getting our company mechanic to look at it we diagnosed it as a bad rack. We replaced the rack and it solved the problem. Now I'm really racking my brain to remember if we checked to see if it was tight, surely we did - :eek:
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 981
Likes: 0
From: Anderson South Carolina
Re: Rack and Pinion (vetracer)
We have the car on a lift and all of the bolts are tight. However, it looks like the steering knuckle is hiting the header, plus this car has the TPIS 7 quart oil pan the left side of the pan is resting on the frame. A problem I have never had before.
I am going to replace both motor mounts, we are unable to move the engine with a large pry bar, but as I understand, the mount can get weak and let the engine sag a little.
Like I said in my original post, this is a '89 Z51 car and to my understanding you cannot get one of these racks on the rebuild market. The rack I installed with a new GM rack that someone had in storage.
I want to send my original rack and get it rebuild and get back the same one I send out.
vettmike
I am going to replace both motor mounts, we are unable to move the engine with a large pry bar, but as I understand, the mount can get weak and let the engine sag a little.
Like I said in my original post, this is a '89 Z51 car and to my understanding you cannot get one of these racks on the rebuild market. The rack I installed with a new GM rack that someone had in storage.
I want to send my original rack and get it rebuild and get back the same one I send out.
vettmike
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 2,168
Likes: 16
From: Phoenix AZ
Re: Rack and Pinion (vettmike)
Yes, you can get a rebuilt rack from several sources including GM. They will want your old one or charge you a core charge. I just replaced mine in September, AC Delco rebuilt Z51 rack. If the part of the steering shaft that's hitting the header is the rubber dampener that connects the shaft at the rack with the shaft at the firewall, you can replace it with a shaft from a later year C4 - they revised the shaft and moved the dampener down closer to the rack - that's what I did and it was a direct bolt-on replacement.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Corvette & Porsche 911: How Two Icons Conquered the Last 25 Years
Joe Kucinski
2027 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 First Look: Everything You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
5 Best & 5 Worst Corvette Daily Drivers
Joe Kucinski
The Headlights of Every Corvette Generation Explained
Joe Kucinski
5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
Safety Car
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 4,010
Likes: 26
From: Somewhere nowhere
Re: Rack and Pinion
my rack makes noise with the engine off, and column unlocked.. tires on ground.
if I move the steering wheel back and forth, you can hear the slop in the rack knocking. they say it's gear lash. and I believe every vette does it.
if I move the steering wheel back and forth, you can hear the slop in the rack knocking. they say it's gear lash. and I believe every vette does it.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 13,356
Likes: 0
From: tucson AZ
St. Jude Donor '04 & '05
Re: Rack and Pinion (vettmike)
When I first bought my vette , 9 years ago, replaced all the front streeing. Never heard of this problem.
Where you had it done should guaranty it. Did you take it back?
And what did they say?
thanks
tony
Where you had it done should guaranty it. Did you take it back?
And what did they say?
thanks
tony
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
From: Oklahoma City Ok
Re: Rack and Pinion (vettmike)
I bought a reman z51 rack from O'reillys for a $150.00 and my car has that pop in it when I turn maybe I need to check to see if everything is tight.I put the rack in myself and it changed my religion.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 981
Likes: 0
From: Anderson South Carolina
Re: Rack and Pinion (68vetteguy)
Problem solved,
The left hand motor mount was worn out and the steering knuckle was hitting the header. Changing the mount raised the motor at least 0.300 inch.
Those with the same problem of a popping noise should check their motor mounts.
Thanks for all of the suggestion on this.
vettmike
:party:
The left hand motor mount was worn out and the steering knuckle was hitting the header. Changing the mount raised the motor at least 0.300 inch.
Those with the same problem of a popping noise should check their motor mounts.
Thanks for all of the suggestion on this.
vettmike
:party:
