2kgtsacr
Enthusiast
Dealership just called and said that's why I had play in my steering wheel and it needs replaced.
Anyone ever had their rack and pinion steering go bad?
- Thread starter 2kgtsacr
- Start date
Jim Wilson
Enthusiast
I don't know about Viper racks, but other vehicles I've worked on have an adjusting nut to achieve the proper clearance between the rack and pinion. If your rack is straight, try decreasing the play between the rack and pinion first.
dave6666
Enthusiast
Just looked in my '01 factory service manual and it says there are no adjustments available. Might call Tator to see what he says...
2kgtsacr
Enthusiast
Yeah I might do that tomorrow to make sure I'm not getting shafted.
2kgtsacr
Enthusiast
oh by the way they quoted me 1200 for a new unit plus 300 for labor
Tom F&L GoR
Enthusiast
"They" say parts aren't serviceable or adjustable, yet the rack came from a Dakota. Before you give up, look up a Dakota rack to see if it is adjustable.
The price seems high. I just had mine rebuilt, parts/labor plus in and out was $850.
Mine was caused by lowering the car too much. In the early days I was enamored by the Penske coilover set up and would drop the car far enough to put strain on the rods ends....they can only tolerate so much angle reaching up from the rack to the spindle. I was at the angle limit for a while and strained the whole thing....made it sloppy.
If you're really slammed, this could be your problem. Nothing makes a Viper feel worse than sloppy/dead-spot steering, and nothing makes it feel better than a tight rack...
Mine was caused by lowering the car too much. In the early days I was enamored by the Penske coilover set up and would drop the car far enough to put strain on the rods ends....they can only tolerate so much angle reaching up from the rack to the spindle. I was at the angle limit for a while and strained the whole thing....made it sloppy.
If you're really slammed, this could be your problem. Nothing makes a Viper feel worse than sloppy/dead-spot steering, and nothing makes it feel better than a tight rack...
Tom F&L GoR
Enthusiast
The inner tie rods are replaceable with Dodge Dakota parts. "Not available" for Viper, but Dakota tie rod is the same thing, although one inch longer. So you cut off 1", buy a die to run the threads down an inch, and you have a Viper tie rod instead of replacing a rack. (This is not the tie rod end that mounts to the upright, this is the rod from steering rack to that tie rod end.)
I will eventually check mine again, but would seem like the inner tie rod swing has to cover at least the travel of the suspension from bump stop to rebound stop. The failure I had was due to a torn boot, wet grease, and quickly wearing it out. The boots are replaceable with... Dakota boots!
2kgtsacr
Enthusiast
tried to call tator but no luck he isn't in today. Jonb doesn't have any good used ones. I dunno who else to call for one. 1200 does seem a bit steep.
Tom F&L GoR
Enthusiast
When I had my inner tie rod issue I called Woodhouse. Because of their racing activity they save good used ones. Try them.
2kgtsacr
Enthusiast
awesome thanks, just did some digging, found a place that has remanufactured ones for 250 bucks, 400 without core return. That's pretty good in my opinion, it was 1200 for a brand new one the guy said.
