Over the years I have noticed that my steering has become less precise. I now have about 3/8” play in my steering wheel. I have checked all the likely causes and discovered that the input shaft to my steering rack has some play in it. This play is both latterly as well as in rotation. So I figured that the preload must need adjusting. Unfortunately, the rack had to come come out for this, which was not a fun job without a lift !

Well, after hours on my back I got the rack out and put it in a vice on my workbench. I loosened the locking nut and adjusted the rack. It needed only about 15 to 20* of adjustment, but the play was still there. So I decided to bottom out the adjuster bolt, and the play was still there! I can only speculate that there must be some worn bearings or perhaps the input shaft to the pinion gear connection has come loose. I tried to find an exploded view of the rack and pinion gear assembly to see what could be causing this. Unfortunately I can’t find one. If anyone has an exploded view of the gear assembly please give me a pointer to where it is (I have the shop manual and the exploded view doesn't shoe the internals of the gear assembly).

Now for the bad news. GM no longer makes new racks. They only have rebuilt ones. Unfortunately the rebuilt racks are on backorder with NO scheduled ship date! So my only choices are to wait for a GM-Delco rebuilt one or buy a rack off a third party. After doing some research it looks like the third party rebuilds aren’t very reliable and don’t last long (typically leak). If anyone knows of a good source for a rebuilt rack please let me know!

 

Ive seen low mile units for sale in the for sale section here on the forum a few times.

 

i want to now the same thing.... i have a leaky rack and im in the market for a well built affordable rebuild....

 

If there are no new ones left, then that leaves the aftermarket rebuild only. I researched some of these a long while back and found lots who repair them and many who have rebuilds with core charges. I suppose you could just buy one from them and keep your own core. But, I would speak to the business about the leak concerns first and have them possibly do a special build for you, but don't get your hopes up....lol, they will say, sure no problem, just for you...lol, then pull one off a shelf and send it to you.

 

There is a company here in Michigan that builds power steering pumps, steering gears, and rack and pinion assemblies.

Most of their business is with NASCAR race teams, but they also make products for C4, C5, and C6 Corvettes. I have one of their power steering pumps.

Turn One Incorporated is worth a call. They quote prices starting at $200 to rebuild rack and pinion assemblies. Here is their URL - http://www.turnone-steering.com/rackandpinion.html


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Thanks, I will call them.