(Steering) Rack Play- L series

[t.ridden]

Hi all,

Changed my front wheel bearings today in an attempt to fix a fairly vicious wobble at speed, turns out the LHS tie rod has about 3-5mm of play away from the rack, causing that wheel to do pretty much whatever it damn well pleases.
Any suggestions?
Do I need a new/recond. rack? if so, suggestions on where.who to buy from (I'm in Perth, WA)
Could a rebuild be done at home, without specialist tools/training?
Is there something else I should looks for? (Tie rod ends are all good)

P.S. I have Power Steering

Thanks in advance

 

[taza]

Change both ball joints and tie end rods. It will make a huge difference.
Im in the process of doing this with both shocks, swaybar bushes and rear diff bushes in my ute right now.
If still no difference your next best option is to use a ej power steering rack whwn you do your conversion.Fpr the cost of ****ing around with it youd be wwasting your money.
My opinion anyway.

 

[Andrewsubaru]

Hi tom
You can change the rack ends that come out of the steering rack along with this if you done your tie rod ends it should be better. Also if you are running 14 inch sunraysia s they are hard to get balanced, so maybe a wheel balance and wheel alignment after the tie rod ends and rack ends would be an idea. Also like Taza said check your lower ball joints.

 

[Ratbag]

Gidday Tom

I completely agree with other advice, and add that you should also check the splined connections in the steering column assembly for correct tightness and wear.

Having dropped a ball joint at around 60 mph on a corner in my youth. P/S; went through a small culvert "steering" with the lower control arm ... Thankfully the car was not damaged, and no one was hurt. Scared the poop out of us both though ... ; and dropped a tie rod end at around 2 kmh about 20 years ago, I am all too aware of the dangers of worn or faulty steering components of any description.

Fix it ASAP, mate.

 

[t.ridden]

Thanks guys!

Taza, if all goes to plan, an EJ rack will be the way i go eventually. Easier to get parts for and are they quicker? I know the L's rack is only a bit quicker than the last truck i drove!

Andrew, would you have any recommendations on where to get rack ends from? I realize you're Eastern States, but any online dealers/nationwide shops?

Ratbag, glad noone got hurt there! my first thought was a dropped/broken tooth on a spline, i'll make sure to double check them all when swapping the ends.

Any info on how difficult/long it is to get the rack out nd ends changed? I have access to a 4 post hoist if that helps?

 

[taza]

As Ratbag said its tye reason why I changed 80% of thw suspension under my brumby yesterday. With it being 26yrs old and having a fulfilled life its a small concern..
I have done similar in my forester. After having found a cracked ball joint and tie end rod on the drivers side about 6 months ago.

 

[El_Freddo]

would you have any recommendations on where to get rack ends from? I realize you're Eastern States, but any online dealers/nationwide shops?

You should be able to get a set from any parts provider. I got two from my local parts joint for about $30 each (maybe, it was some time ago!). It's also a good time to replace your steering boots

Much easier to work on with the rack removed!

Cheers

Bennie

 

[Andrewsubaru]

Tom
These parts are available from Bursons ,Repco and most spare parts outlets. There is an online shop that is located here on the east coast who have older suby parts. It's called ultra cheap auto. Hope this helps! I'll see if I can dig out my old l series manual.

 

[t.ridden]

Cheers all!
I shall be getting/ordering new tie rods and ends tomorrow afternoon from wherever is cheapest
Thanks for the help.