YACT: Any Steering gurus or Mechanics out there?

[CADsortaGUY]

Car info: '94 Dodge Intrepid ES, 150K miles, 3.3L V6

Problem details: Steering "catches" but "releases" when engine is "goosed". About a year ago I replaced the steering pump and I just finished replacing both outer tie rod ends. Now the problem seems to be non-existant when the car is "cold" but increases after it is driven a bit. The problem doesn't go away even at higher than idle RPMs so it doesn't seem like a pump pressure issue since even at high(constant) RPMs the steering "catches" when turning. "Catching" meaning - feels like you have no powersteering. To get past the "catch" without being Superman - you have to "goose" the engine a tad and then suddenly the power steering returns.

Solution?: From what I've read and researched the steering issues with the 93-96 LH series cars have been common, especially with the inner tierods but those seem to be tight on this car. However there is play(1/4" side to side when turning the wheel - meaning the whole rack moves side to side) in the rack bushings holing the rack to the firewall ledge.
Would just replacing the Bushings help or does this sound like the whole rack needs to be replaced?(I seem to have misplaced my Chilton manual for this car so info on replacement might be helpful too if the rack needs replaced, althought it looks pretty easy minus a few things in the way of removal)

If someone knows of an site that might help - let me know as I've been trying to search for the last day or so for info online and none have specifically addressed the symptoms exactly as I experienced them.

TIA

CkG

 

[TechnoKid]

You could attempt a rebuild of the rack yourself which seems like the only thing left that could be the culprit. Though rebuilding the rack maybe be more trouble than buying a new one. You'd want to replace the bushings anywhow if you were going to replace the rack, so maybe try that first.

BTW, do you have the speed proportional steering or the regular one?

http://www.carsurvey.org/review_19034.html seems like he's had the same problems as well.


EDIT:http://www.daimlerchryslervehicleproblems.com/ I dunno whether or not all of that is true, but the first acticle may describe what you are experiencing.

 

[CADsortaGUY]

Originally posted by: TechnoKid
You could attempt a rebuild of the rack yourself which seems like the only thing left that could be the culprit. Though rebuilding the rack maybe be more trouble than buying a new one. You'd want to replace the bushings anywhow if you were going to replace the rack, so maybe try that first.

BTW, do you have the speed proportional steering or the regular one?

http://www.carsurvey.org/review_19034.html seems like he's had the same problems as well.


EDIT:http://www.daimlerchryslervehicleproblems.com/ I dunno whether or not all of that is true, but the first acticle may describe what you are experiencing.

I read both of those but they aren't quite what I have here. Yes, I believe it is the Prop steering rack as it has the little black box on the drivers side of the rack.

The rack(rebuilt) is only $160 here locally so rebuilding it doesn't look like something I'll tackle. However according to the parts dealer the bushing come with the new rack so I really don't want to just replace the bushings if I'll have to replace the rack too(then I'd have 2 sets of new bushings.

Thanks for the help, but I have another question for you if you can answer it. Pulling the rack out looks to be relatively simple but I'm not sure I'll have enough clearance to actually get it out? Besides the intake plenum and assorted hoses - would there be much else to remove?

Thanks

CkG

 

[TechnoKid]

Well, once you dissconnect the rack, you could "slide" it to one side and angle it up to remove it that way, if you were going to try and take it out from above. You may have to take apart the inner tie-rods to be able to manuver the rack. I've usually seen racks taken out from below, or form the side if the fender walls had enough clearence.

I don't know the specifics on your particular car, but you could go to your local library which should have reference texts availible that you can look at. I'll stop by the library tomorrow and perhaps, if time suits me, xerox the pages for you.

 

[Wingznut]

<-- Ex-Dodge ASE Master mechanic of 10+ years...

Almost undoubtedly a steering rack. Oh yeah, they are a total PITA to remove and replace. It's been about four years since I've done one, so I don't recall the specifics... I just remember that I hated doing those.