Steering rack play


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Willox

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Not sure if this is under the right category but technically is to do with handling too so anyway here goes,

Seems to be a little bit of play in the steering rack on my ek9. The car itself is at approx. 127k kms but obviously I can't say how hard it's been driven before I've owned it. What I'm wanting to know is is there any way of tightening the steering back up again? Bushes needing replaced with polybushes or something?
 
Willox said:
Not sure if this is under the right category but technically is to do with handling too so anyway here goes,

Seems to be a little bit of play in the steering rack on my ek9. The car itself is at approx. 127k kms but obviously I can't say how hard it's been driven before I've owned it. What I'm wanting to know is is there any way of tightening the steering back up again? Bushes needing replaced with polybushes or something?
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Hi mate had exact same problem on my 9 couple of years ago. found i needed Inner rack end as there was play and I re tightened the rack up. There is a 40mm bolt on the rack you loosen and nip back up again until you feel its right for you.

To check if you need an inner rack end kneel down and nudge the top of your wheel. If you do have play you should here a knock and play.

If you need a spare inner rack end I have one Spare brand new.

Cheers Oli
 
Ah right so it must be a common problem then is it? Next question may sound a bit stupid but when you say Nudge the top of the wheel to see if there's play,is this to be done when the wheel's under load or with the car jacked up? Apoligies in advance for my ignorance! Haha

I'll give it a go and I'll be in touch with regards to the inner rack end :)

Cheers,Steve
 
Willox said:
Ah right so it must be a common problem then is it? Next question may sound a bit stupid but when you say Nudge the top of the wheel to see if there's play,is this to be done when the wheel's under load or with the car jacked up? Apoligies in advance for my ignorance! Haha

I'll give it a go and I'll be in touch with regards to the inner rack end :)

Cheers,Steve
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When wheels are on the ground. you should get nothing but if you hear a bang or knock then its the inner rack end. Also jack car up and grab the wheel and try try moving it left and right and wiggle it back and forth as if your taking the wheel off. There should be no play. If there is then it will be either ball joint or outer rack end.

As for the rack adjustment its recommended to be done every 30,000 miles I think. I have a diagram somewhere.

Cheers Oli
 
Ok cheers,I'll give that a go!

At first I thought it was the track rod ends and I found the driver's side inner tie rod to be knackered so replaced that and the outer one at the same time but still have this play in the rack itself.


Oh do you? That would be kinda handy if it's just the rack adjustment I need to do! Never really had to do something like that before so not sure where to start.

Cheers,Steve
 
If you kack the car up and look at your rack from underneath it you will see it. Its quite big you cant miss it. loosen it then tighten it and test you steering. it should get less play. Check inner rack ends as most people forget about these and think its the tie rod ends/ out rack ends. These have a ball joint which over time become loose.
 
Cool,I'll give it a go! :nice:

It possibly was the inner rack ends my mate replaced for me,I can't remember off the top of my head to tell you the truth! It did make a bit of a difference to the handling as my mate couldn't believe how much left to right play was in the driver's side wheel!

Hopefully this will tighten it up a good bit more :)
 
No worries. The inner rack ends you have to take the boot off to replace. the outer rack end or tie rod end is just screwed onto the inner rack.
 
Yeah that's right in that case both were replaced as i replaced the outer one first to then realise the inner one was goosed too so replaced that as the boot was torn and had been letting water in and corroding the joint
 
I fitted two new OEM honda inner tie rods and blueprint outer track rod ends to my EK9 recently, steering feels so much tighter. IMO it's best to replace both sides so I would replace other inner tie rod as chances are there is a small amount of play in joint.
 
Yeah you're probably right mate. Only reason I did one side was because there wasn't any movement in the passenger side wheel but it is on my list of things to do :)
 
I had some play, I changed the inner and outer tie rod in both sides and got a wheel alignment (very important to do). What a difference it made. The steering is a lot tighter and much more responsive. Just need to do the rack adjustment
 
Yup I'll see about doing the rack adjustment tomorrow and hopefully I'll be onto a winner! :D
 
I did the rack adjustment. Was adjusting 5 times (set preload and go for test drive x 5) to get the right steering response.
But my effort really payed out, damn it's tight now :win:
 
Definately need to do this! May sound a newbish question but where about on the rack is it located? Do you jack the car up and remove driver's side wheel and arch liner to do it or what's the scoop? Kinda new to this sorta stuff :)
 
Willox said:
Definately need to do this! May sound a newbish question but where about on the rack is it located? Do you jack the car up and remove driver's side wheel and arch liner to do it or what's the scoop? Kinda new to this sorta stuff :)
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You just jack up the car and secure it on stands. Then go under the car and look around the right (drivers side) lower suspension arm and you should be able to see the locknut and bolt :)
 
Sweet,cheers mate,I'll see if I can maybe get it done this weekend :) is the best way to test for feel by doing a little road test numerous times until your happy?

Wind the bolt right out,nip back in a bit,roadtest then if it needs more nip it up a bit more? Apoligies for all the questions! Lol
 
Willox said:
Sweet,cheers mate,I'll see if I can maybe get it done this weekend :) is the best way to test for feel by doing a little road test numerous times until your happy?

Wind the bolt right out,nip back in a bit,roadtest then if it needs more nip it up a bit more? Apoligies for all the questions! Lol
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:yuno: :lol: :))

Loosen the 40 mm locknut, I used an adjustable spanner. You can get Hondas special tool but was expensive last time at checked on Lings.com.

Then loosen the bolt (can't remember the size sorry). You can feel the spring behind it move. Don't remove it, just loosen it.

Hold the locknut with the spanner or special tool and then tighten the bolt, only till you feel it starts to make resistance (this is trial and error really). Then loosen the bolt 20-30 degree and last tighten the locknut (remember to hold the nut anti clockwise/counter so it won't turn with the locknut ;)

Then take it for a test drive. Make some quick small turns with steering wheel, and go for some big ones like driving slalom. If it feels to tight the bolt/spring should be looser and the other way around

Hope this helps mate :))
 
Did this help your car? Ive tightened the nut up and theres still play, thinking will try new inner and outer tie rods to see if it helps. Also i have my power steering removed would that be a factor?!
 
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