# Rack and pinion

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/rack-and-pinion/15708>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Created:** [June 23, 2008, 12:09am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/rack-and-pinion/15708 "2008-06-23T00:09:46Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 7\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![nickgoodman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/aca169/32.png) [@nickgoodman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/nickgoodman)\
**Post date:** [June 23, 2008, 12:09am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/rack-and-pinion/15708/1 "2008-06-23T00:09:46Z")

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My 1997 Pathfinder sways right and left very much on minor bumps in the road. If it is the Rack and pinion, can I tighten it or replace it myself?

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**Author:** ![crankwalk5](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3e96dc/32.png) [@crankwalk5](https://community.cartalk.com/u/crankwalk5)\
**Post date:** [June 23, 2008, 1:16am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/rack-and-pinion/15708/2 "2008-06-23T01:16:00Z")

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no rack,box only and yes,

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**Author:** ![nickgoodman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/aca169/32.png) [@nickgoodman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/nickgoodman)\
**Post date:** [June 23, 2008, 1:27am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/rack-and-pinion/15708/3 "2008-06-23T01:27:07Z")

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are there particular problems to watch out for on the replacement?

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**Author:** ![MikeInNH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a587f6/32.png) [@MikeInNH](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MikeInNH)\
**Post date:** [June 23, 2008, 1:26pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/rack-and-pinion/15708/4 "2008-06-23T13:26:37Z")

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Have you checked the rear Control-Arm bushings? This is a known issue with 97-99 Pathy’s. When they get worn the pathy gets wobbly.

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**Author:** ![MikeInNH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a587f6/32.png) [@MikeInNH](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MikeInNH)\
**Post date:** [June 23, 2008, 1:27pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/rack-and-pinion/15708/5 "2008-06-23T13:27:02Z")

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The 97 Pathy is Rack & pinion.

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**Author:** ![the\_same\_mountainbike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@the\_same\_mountainbike](https://community.cartalk.com/u/the_same_mountainbike)\
**Post date:** [June 23, 2008, 5:12pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/rack-and-pinion/15708/6 "2008-06-23T17:12:46Z")

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It is highly, highly unlikely to be the rack.

Have the front end gone over. You either have some worn parts, a poor alignment, or both.

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**Author:** ![nickgoodman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/aca169/32.png) [@nickgoodman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/nickgoodman)\
**Post date:** [June 24, 2008, 12:52am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/rack-and-pinion/15708/7 "2008-06-24T00:52:35Z")

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I haven’t checked them. Is that part of the front end or rear end?