What is the common internal failure in a steering

[Johnny248]

What generally fails when a steering gear/rack and pinion fails?

Is it normally a piston rings?? or the rings in the control valve? or both, or something different?

Just curious what actually goes wrong. My steering gear in the Toyota failed, and I had my porter run it over to our local rack & axle guy and he rebuilt it in about 30 min and $65 later and it was back and ready for me to install. Finished the install it and is good as new. I meant to ask the rebuilder what actually goes wrong, but they were gone by the time I finished replacing the rack.

 

[Texan4Life]

The only problems I have seen with steering racks are worn out ball joints and leaks.

 

[nfs480]

Most i've seen are internal leaks which results in loss of hydraulic pressure since all of the fluid is simply leaving the rack. That and severely worn inner tie-rod ends would be the most common failures.

 

[mechanicx]

Not too many people rebuild racks and that sounds like a great price. As far as I know there are various seals that can leak internally and there are seal kits with bushings. Also the rack bearing preaload can be a common cause of play in steering and needs to be readjusted. So it's mostly a matter of seals and bushing going out more than hard metal parts.

 

[PhillyJoe]

You read my mind with your question. Had my '07 Grand Prix (64,000 miles) to the dealer this past Saturday for state inspection. Told him there was a "bonking" noise when I make a turn left or right. They said the R&P was failing. No play in the system, but it was going. I checked the fluid when I got home (if you have a 3.8 GM engine, you know how difficult this is, ps reservoir is down at the rear of the engine)and it was low and black. Replaced what I could and added a few ounces of Lucas ps treatment "renews rack and pinions" but the noise is still there. Dealer wants $750 to replace; they do not rebuild. I'll pass for now.

 

[Johnny248]

Originally Posted By: PhillyJoe
You read my mind with your question. Had my '07 Grand Prix (64,000 miles) to the dealer this past Saturday for state inspection. Told him there was a "bonking" noise when I make a turn left or right. They said the R&P was failing. No play in the system, but it was going. I checked the fluid when I got home (if you have a 3.8 GM engine, you know how difficult this is, ps reservoir is down at the rear of the engine)and it was low and black. Replaced what I could and added a few ounces of Lucas ps treatment "renews rack and pinions" but the noise is still there. Dealer wants $750 to replace; they do not rebuild. I'll pass for now.


You should be able to get a reman rack installed on that car with alignment for around $500-600 at most shops or dealers, if your dealer will use aftermarket or reman parts for the parts store.

 

[Johnny248]

Originally Posted By: Texan4Life
The only problems I have seen with steering racks are worn out ball joints and leaks.


ball joints as in the inner tie rod ends? I was refering to loss of assist or binding in the rack. I did just get off the phone with the guy, he told me what went bad, or what goes bad is the teflon seals on the piston inside the housing. Those teflons tear or wear down where they dont seal, and instead exerting pressure on the pistons to drive the rack gear back and fourth, the fluid passes by the seal instead of pushing the piston. Makes sense, almost like a blown out strut or shock. Anyway, I'm just happy that my steering works again. Yay =)

 

[mechanicx]

The mostly likely cause of your issue with the Grand Prix is a bad intermediate steering shaft (iss). It's very common from like '02-'08 I'm thinking first there was a TSB to grease it then a revised procedure to replace the iss with a upgraded design. I'm thinking a good price on the revised iss is ~$100-$150 and parts and labor ~$200. You could try spraying some lube down the shaft from under the inside steering column, you can google the procedure. If that clears it up then you know you are on the right track. A new expensive rack and you'd still have the same problem.