Which Remanufactured Steering Rack?

[MFNG]

What is the size of the hex? Should be able to just get a bolt with a head the right size and use 2 nuts on it locked together to make a wrench. Or if you weld just weld yourself up a tool that fits using the bolt as the driver.

He states multiple sizes at 2:08; 27mm Allen head or 1 and 1/16” nut.

Later (6:30) he states a 19mm hex is what he is using - (not sure why my previous post doesn’t show the video anymore - link: youtu.be/8X9xpioehv4)

He welded a special tool out of a socket and ratchet wrench, looks like it would work well since it looks tight

Going to try this myself as my 2014 has wandered all over since I got it. Alignments out the back door to no avail; nobody in my area is Raptor savvy - or F150 to boot I guess since it’s nearly the same vehicle.

Hope this solves it. Let us know if you have done this.

 

[B E N]

Wandering is usually caused by toe settings or worn bushings, or severely worn wheel bearings. All this should be easy to check with one wheel off the ground.

 

[Chris Brown]

I’ve been intending to tighten the rack as well. Just can’t seem to find time currently.

 

[Kaled]

Hi , has anyone tried tighten that preload nut on the rack . I just purchased a remanufactured one from eBay , a year ago and I feel some slack and it’s progressing on the highway .

 

[Kaled]

I’m also ‘not sure about this , but I also think the steering shaft or intermediate shaft could be a culprit for the slack feel or looseness of the steering wheel on the highway ?

 

[Canuck714]

I’m also ‘not sure about this , but I also think the steering shaft or intermediate shaft could be a culprit for the slack feel or looseness of the steering wheel on the highway ?

I went and made a tool to be able to reach the adjustment nut on the rack. Turned it in maybe a 1/4 turn until i could feel it tighten the bushing then backed it of a smidge. While it did take some play out of the rack, it amplified the worn out intermediate shaft that connects the column to the rack. Replaced that and all fresh and tight again.

 

[Kaled]

Gotcha ! Would a 27mm hex bit socket do the trick ?

 

[tltoronto]

Adjusting the tension at the steering shaft pinion will not prevent leakage from the unit. When you tighten it down, it also increases the force to steer, and if too much is applied, it will not return back to center around corners. Its a total bitch. The racks have a metal on metal deaign with no replecable sleeves inside, so, they all have to be machined and have sleeves installed or they just develop slop and leak. Rock auto has motorcraft rebuilt ones, or tasca will do as well. For the abuse it takes, id say save the headache and buy brand new, and have the old one properly rebuilt as a spare. They are an item that is quite hard to find depending on the years. Also, the Raptor has a specific rack. The stock F150 will not work.

 

[ograptor]

Look at the price on this one. Seems like it's labeled wrong or something

 

[kknyrass]

I realize in the video he talks about the driver side shaft failing first and why that is. But in my case I have a clunk on the passenger side over small holes/divots in the ground that rattles as if the passenger shaft is worn/loose. Any way tightening this nut will fix that issue or is it more to fix horizontal movement?