95 viii Steering Problems ???

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giginfrogg

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Ok i got a 95 mark viii. I switched to springs and struts. Replaced all the control arms, ball joints, rack etc. Got it out of the shop and it was great, for about a month. I was turning my wheel one day at the shopping center and heard a noise. like a pop. get back in to drive it and the steering is off, the steering wheel is no longer centered and the tires are wearing unevenly and making lots of noise. Took it back in to redo the allignment and the steering wheel is off the other way now.. He said something might have got bent. It might need drilled and slotted to get the camber back on etc.
What could have gone wrong that quickly? most everything was newer or replaced. :(
help
thanks
gavin
 
the struts came with bushings. I did the struts about a year and a half ago along with the inners outers, upper and lower control arms ball joints etc.
recently i replaced the steering rack. they aligned it it was fine, until i turned the wheel backing out of a parking spot and i heard a noise. then the steering was out.
 
ive seen racks shift like your saying (in general not markviii) loosen the bolts and wiggle it center it and see if it still flip flops like you mentioned.
id also check the pinch bolt on the column where it meets the rack
with a recent rack change id look there first then maybe strut rod bushings (as stated above)
 
chicken said:
ive seen racks shift like your saying (in general not markviii) loosen the bolts and wiggle it center it and see if it still flip flops like you mentioned.
id also check the pinch bolt on the column where it meets the rack
with a recent rack change id look there first then maybe strut rod bushings (as stated above)
Click to expand...

:iconcur:
 
thanks guys it gives me a place to start! So in the end would this be installation error on the mechanic, or should they perform the service under their warranty for the work they already performed for the shifted rack?
 
it could be either if the rack shifted it could just be loose (mechanics fault) or maybe the bushings around the rack (hell i wonder if the mark has bushings yo nolmit got any pics of a markviii rack) deteriorated allowing the rack to "float" (manufactures fault, if in reasonable time)

if the pinch bolt is loose etc then mechanics fault
 
chicken said:
it could be either if the rack shifted it could just be loose (mechanics fault) or maybe the bushings around the rack (hell i wonder if the mark has bushings yo nolmit got any pics of a markviii rack) deteriorated allowing the rack to "float" (manufactures fault, if in reasonable time)

if the pinch bolt is loose etc then mechanics fault
Click to expand...

Sure don't but I know when mine went bad, I could grab the tire while off the ground at 3 and 9 oclock position and shake it back and forth. I installed one off a 93 and my steering wheel was off center a little bit. Whatever was loose was inside the rack itself.

I have a freshly rebuilt 93 rack in my closet but I didn't take any pics when I done the rack swap on the 94.I don't remember dealing with any bushings. Only the outer nuts with carter pins in them.
 
i know that Michael (94m5) had to retighten the rack on the 94 as it was causeing problems after installing polies on it. if it popped it is prob the rack that isn't secured right. jds
 
If the strut rod bushings popped through you will notice a drastic shift in your steering, and also your wheel on whichever side would not be centered in the wheel well,

the rack and pinion can shift internally and cause a steering wheel centering problem, and then it can just fail and you could spin your steering wheel all day and never move the tires

Or the yolk fitting ( where the steering shaft meets the rack could be loose

if the rack has failed internally there may be a warranty in that, most places don't warranty the labor anymore, unless it was the techs fault of failure
 
from reading this. I was wondering if the rack shifted internally. basically skipped a tooth..

However from looking at the wheels on both sides the passenger side tire looks out further then the drivers side. Maybe by about an inch. or vice versa.
 
i looked a the strut rod bushings and indeed they need replaced. I will keep you updated on the progress. :rolleyes:
 
ITS NOT THE BUSHINGS.

It has to be the rack shifted internally.
everything looks good underneath the car bushing wise, all of it.
I checked the pinch bolts where the column meets the rack all goo there.

What happens when the rack shifts internally. Do i need to replace the rack again with another one.
can you fix it another way then taking it all back off again?

I hired the rack change to a shop. I brought them my part to hang. So i would have to pay them again to change it out again.

Can I change this out in the driveway, i checked it all out it looks preety straight forward.
Can it be done with out any really special tools?
All moral support is appreciated.
 
Sapperfire said:
If the strut rod bushings popped through you will notice a drastic shift in your steering, and also your wheel on whichever side would not be centered in the wheel well,

the rack and pinion can shift internally and cause a steering wheel centering problem, and then it can just fail and you could spin your steering wheel all day and never move the tires

Or the yolk fitting ( where the steering shaft meets the rack could be loose

if the rack has failed internally there may be a warranty in that, most places don't warranty the labor anymore, unless it was the techs fault of failure
Click to expand...
I think its internal. Man being impatient for answers and solutions sure is stressful...
I went ahead and ordered another rack from the shop.
thanks again guys
 
yeah if it popped internally its junk. i havent changed one on a mark, but plenty of other cars they are usually easy just getting the steering lines loose from the rack can suck. you will also need to replace the teflon o rings in the lines when you do this
 
It sounds more like the bolt holding the lower control arm to the K frame moved to me.

That would change the camber and toe and of course the alignment and steering wheel position.

It happend to me once and made a pop noise. I'd tale a look there.
 
billcu said:
It sounds more like the bolt holding the lower control arm to the K frame moved to me.

That would change the camber and toe and of course the alignment and steering wheel position.

It happend to me once and made a pop noise. I'd tale a look there.
Click to expand...
I concur. there is a big washer there with lines on it, it looks eliptical. Loosen it and spin it. Im going to take it to a special steering shop, befor i opt for surgery on the lincoln again. It did make a pop sound too.
 
if that bolt moves it will throw everything off as well, so its worth having the alignment checked
 
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