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joecar1
New User
Dec 11, 2011, 3:54 AM
Post #1 of 7
(5723 views)
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Steering Rack and Pinion
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Just put in a rebuilt rack and pinion. Steering does not feel the same as with original rack and pinion.
Steering wheel is centered when driving straight ahead, and car seems well aligned. When I count the number of turns of steering wheel to steer to extreme right or left, number of turns of steering wheel seem the same each way (slightly more than 1-1/2 turns). When front tires pointed straight ahead, steering wheel is centered (seems OK). THerefore, it seems centering of pinion on rack is proper and alignment of car is proper , but could be wrong here.
When turning sharp turn to left at slow speed (like to park or do U turn), with steeriing wheel not quite all the way to left, tires turn further left on their own if hands are off the steering wheel. This effect seems to be more pronounced the sharper the turn (i.e, farther left) and the lower the speed. A few times, depending upon turn, speed, and slope, I observed same was sometimes true for the right but to a much lesser extent. Also, for slow sharp turn left , with wheel all the way to the left, steering wheel does not come back to center on its own when steering wheel is released, and I have to assist to get it to come back to center; same true for turn with wheel all the way to right. Car did not do these things with the original rack and pinion; i.e., with original rack and pinion, wheels would come back to center on their own after turn, and did not pull right or left on their own when making sharp/slow left or right turns. What could be wrong?
Joecar
2002 Camry V4.
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Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Dec 11, 2011, 8:08 AM
Post #2 of 7
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Re: Steering Rack and Pinion
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Did you have the front end aligned after you installed the rack?
Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Dec 11, 2011, 8:08 AM
Post #3 of 7
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Re: Steering Rack and Pinion
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You could have a defective Rack but most of what you are describing is due to alignment setting and engineered geometry. The rack has one job and that is to move both front wheels equally in either direction. The rest is the job of the suspension.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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joecar1
New User
Dec 11, 2011, 10:15 AM
Post #4 of 7
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Re: Steering Rack and Pinion
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Thanks for response, Discretesignals. The ship that installed the rack and pinion does tires and alignments and told me that they would do alignment following installation of the rack and pinion, so I presume they aligned the front end. Since you have brought up alighnment, I may take it to another shop for double check on alignment.
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joecar1
New User
Dec 11, 2011, 10:28 AM
Post #5 of 7
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Re: Steering Rack and Pinion
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Thanks for response, Hammer Time. I also just responded to response from Discretesignals, who also brought up alignment. Yes, I think I will have another shop look at alignment.
But two other questions, for yourself, Hammer Time, and all:
a) Power steering drives pistons inside of rack and pinion to assist in making turns (my understanding is pistons inside of the rack and pinion respond to pressures from power steering fluid, making steering easier). Does the power steering fluid pressure also assist in restoring steering to center after making a turn? In other words, could defective pistons inside of rack and pinion or other defect with power steering system be causing: a) wheels not to return to center on their own after making sharper turns at lower speeds? ; and b) when in slow tight left turn with wheels not all the way to left, if release steering wheel wheels turn further left on their own?
b) The nature of tires/steering wheel turning further left on their own in a tight left turn when releasing steering wheel is sort of a concern to me, because we are not used to this and it catches you off guard (normally expect steering wheel to be pulling back to center as you grip it while making tight left turn, and to return to center when released). In otherwords, one might release the wheel expecting it to move back to center, but instead it goes further left. Do other cars behave this way? I don't recall our steering behaving this way before we put in rebuilt rack and pinion.
Joecar1
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Dec 11, 2011, 11:07 AM
Post #6 of 7
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Re: Steering Rack and Pinion
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Return to center is done through an alignment angle called Caster. Compare it with the angled rearward bicycle fork which keeps a bicycle traveling straight. On your car though, this angle is not adjustable and engineered into the manufacture.
Another possible cause could be binding in the steering somewhere like the strut turnplates, ball joints or even the rack.
Also note. you do not have to respond to posts independently. The thread all runs together and everybody reads all responses.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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joecar1
New User
Dec 11, 2011, 10:09 PM
Post #7 of 7
(5638 views)
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Re: Steering Rack and Pinion
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Thank you for response, Hammer Time.
Joecar1
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