Have a 2007 f150 and have play in my steering wheel. Looked at it while wiggling the wheel and slack is rite where the shaft goes into the steering rack. Anybody else have this problem?

 

I have the same thing. Do you here a noise when you turn the wheel back and forth? (kinda a slight clunking noise)

 

Yes I do. Idk what it's gonna take to change it either

 

I don't think it would be too bad. I was going to do my lower ball joints then get an alignment, and see if that fixed it. But since you have the same problem, i am thinking it is the rack and pinion.

 

From what I hear, it is a pretty easy job. Manufactured rack and pinion for about $150 on rockauto and other sites

 

Yea only thing is I have a Rize lift and I'm afraid I have to take off my front subframe to change it

 

Its just the inner tie rod ends worn out. Very, very common problem on Ford truck rack and pinion systems ( i.e. F150s, Expeditions, Navigators, Explorers...). It's not a very heavy duty rack. Same one they use on the Mustangs. If you can get to the inner boot and move it down the shaft to access the inner tie rod end it just unscrews off the rack shaft. Do both sides, and get a front end alignment when you're done to re-align the toe and you're good to go. You don't need to replace the whole rack. The repair is done with the rack still in the truck. But you replace the connecting link shaft on both sides, so you need to loosen the securing nut on the outter tie rod as well, so the shaft can be removed from the outter tie rod end too. The outters usually last a long time, but the inners suck ***.



-Mike


This is what you'll replace.... that big ball end is what's under the inner boot.



Moog part number EV800369 .... http://www.rockauto.com/

 

How can you tell if it's bad?

 

I undid the boots and had someone turn the wheel back and forth. The inner tie rods didn't seem to have any play in them. It appeared the play was coming from inside the rack and pinion...

 

Replaced the rack and pinion. The problem was solved!