# Rack & pinion?

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/rack-pinion/134852>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Created:** [February 17, 2019, 10:38pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/rack-pinion/134852 "2019-02-17T22:38:10Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 7\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![jtrojas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/3ec8ea/32.png) [@jtrojas](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jtrojas)\
**Post date:** [February 17, 2019, 10:38pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/rack-pinion/134852/1 "2019-02-17T22:38:10Z")

</div>

Replaced both Control Arms, Struts, Inner & Outer Tie Rods, Sway Bar Links, and a couple motor & trans mounts.7  
Still hearing noise from front end.  
Similar to the noises before replacing parts.  
The steering does rattle a bit, got to change the box on column.  
Also, serious steering play prolly from Rack & Pinion.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![shanonia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de053/32.png) [@shanonia](https://community.cartalk.com/u/shanonia)\
**Post date:** [February 17, 2019, 10:48pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/rack-pinion/134852/2 "2019-02-17T22:48:20Z")

</div>

Another source of a rattling or more probably knocking sound is the sway bar bushings. Steering play could be inside the rack or at a u-joint between the steering wheel and the rack. The rack could be a little loose from the body, too.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\
**Post date:** [February 18, 2019, 12:27am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/rack-pinion/134852/3 "2019-02-18T00:27:31Z")

</div>

What car? How many miles? Ever been in a wreck. What does the noise sound like? What have you been doing to locate the noise other than just replacing everything?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![db4690](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/db4690/32/2583_2.png) [@db4690](https://community.cartalk.com/u/db4690)\
**Post date:** [February 18, 2019, 1:04am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/rack-pinion/134852/4 "2019-02-18T01:04:42Z")

</div>

Did you install a “quick strut” . . . in other words, strut, coil spring and mount all preassembled?

If not, it’s quite possible that the strut mounts . . . which you apparently didn’t replace . . . are the source of the noise

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![jtrojas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/3ec8ea/32.png) [@jtrojas](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jtrojas)\
**Post date:** [February 18, 2019, 4:38am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/rack-pinion/134852/5 "2019-02-18T04:38:52Z")

</div>

It’s a ‘quick strut’ 3 nuts on top, 2 bolts bottom.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![jtrojas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/3ec8ea/32.png) [@jtrojas](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jtrojas)\
**Post date:** [February 18, 2019, 4:41am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/rack-pinion/134852/6 "2019-02-18T04:41:49Z")

</div>

Rack is mounted solidly.

Prolly rack.

Could I get a couple racks and make one good rebuilt one ?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![eddo](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/eddo/32/2594_2.png) [@eddo](https://community.cartalk.com/u/eddo)\
**Post date:** [February 18, 2019, 9:17pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/rack-pinion/134852/7 "2019-02-18T21:17:12Z")

</div>

> [@jtrojas](#):
>
> Could I get a couple racks and make one good rebuilt one ?

That would totally depend on your ability to rebuild racks. In general, I would say no. Don’t do that.

For the safety of you, your family, and everyone else on the road- buy one that is already professionally rebuilt or new.