I need some advice. I just finished installing poly bushings in the front end of my 87 as well as new outer tie rod ends. After I got everything put back together I noticed there is play on the passengers front tire still. Is it a better idea to rebuild the rack I have now, or to buy one a already rebuilt from like AutoZone? How difficult is rebuilding the steering rack?

If I go the rebuild it myself route I have another question, I have an extra steering rack from my 85SE parts car. Now my question is, I know there were different steering ratios offered, how can I determine if my extra rack is the same as the one currently in my GT? I think the quick ratio was 3 turns lock to lock and the other was 3.5 so could I determine that by just counting the turns where it attached to the column?

Does anyone have links to detailed instructions to rebuild it? I did some searching and couldn't find any that were descriptive enough for my liking.

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[This message has been edited by zmcdonal (edited 05-27-2013).]

Yes, there was a 3 and 3.5 turn. Easy to check. Turn the steering wheel and count the turns lock to lock.

I would buy a rebuild personally but it depends how thick your wallet is. I bought 2 when they were only $100 a couple of years ago and stashed the extra as a spare. Think they $150 - 200 now.

That said, the 1/2 turn extra on the non-sport rack isn't all that much different in the scheme of things if that is all you can find. We are talking 1/4T left or right more.

[This message has been edited by TK (edited 05-28-2013).]

If you only have play on one side it's probably the inner tie rod that is shot.

Rebuild the rack, lots cheaper and quicker unless you have all sorts of money to blow.

Steve

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and one big pain in the ass when it doesn't



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I have play in my passenger wheel as well. I also get rattling and clunking noises when I go over bumps. It seems to me that the rack bushing is worn, because I can rock the boot and inner rod together with respect to the rack on the passenger side. The Driver's side feels solid. you can feel the play through the steering will and it makes noise if you rock it back and forth really fast. Is my diagnosis of the rack bushing correct? How hard is the rack rebuild? I would like to get my hands on instructions and what parts will be worn before I take it apart. (87 GT) Note that my suspension is all original with 78,000 miles on it, so some of the noises could be coming from there too. Any thoughts on other diagnosis techniques would be helpful.

Thanks!

I didn't see anything in the How To section. Thought there'd be one there.

Dennis has a writeup on how to rebuilt the rack & pinion.
//www.fiero.nl/forum/A...120111-2-110019.html

There's also instructions and pictures in the Service Manual too (nobody looks there??).
Somebody posted them here: //www.fiero.nl/forum/A...130314-2-116902.html


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[This message has been edited by fierosound (edited 07-23-2013).]

Mines all tight up front but what i do experince is alot of pavement shock thru the steering wheel. i love feedback but not when your roll over a mouse turd!