If it's not leaking or creaking, I agree with just trying to take up some slop by adjusting the guide. My '97 has the non-roller. It had some play in it like the video. I took out the guide to inspect - looked good so I just put it back together.

Before dis-assembly, I had made some marks so I knew how tight it was vs. after re-assembly. I probably got the adjustment another 10-15° tighter eliminating the play.

Ok so on the boots of the rack you look for a leak. Got it

Hey all....I seem to have a steering issue as well. I recently purchased a 98 limited with 177,000 miles. i find that when i find myself drifting, i correct left/right and the vehicle wants to keep veering in the corrected direction. It doesnt pull, doesnt shimmy, and it just seems like i have to "help" the wheel back to the straight position, not with strength, just a little nudge. And questions or suggestions please..

Maybe out of alignment?

Ok been searching for the rod connector and HD and Lowes look at me like I'm crazy and I don't see it myself. Anyone know if that is what it's called officially?

Get a bolt and 2 nuts. Lock the 2 nuts together on the bolt and it will work. BTW, I think you are supposed to look for a rod coupler.

HD sells rod couplers with the "all thread" (threaded rod). They usually are where the other bolts are sold. Sometimes also sold as parts for "make a bolt".

Thanks guys!

Can anyone add to this regarding effectiveness and any negative effects?

I've been reading and re-reading this thread about correcting some front-end vibration and slop. Seems plausible to just tighten the existing guide instead of buying a new one. Or, is it that the new one is better/more effective?

Dumb question alert: If the rack is leaking wouldn't you have to refill the PS fluid reservoir regularly?

Not a dumb question, it makes sense.
Having to refill the reservoir may mean a leak but it doesn't necessarily mean it's the rack itself that's leaking.

Tightening the rack guide took away a little bit of the slop for me, but very quickly that will start making the steering harder. I overtightened it to the point that the wheel wouldn't return to center on it's own. It felt nice and tight, but I backed it off of that until the tension felt good. It is easy enough to do by feel just driving around the block after each adjustment.

Only thing I can add is my rig was much more solid after install. I had the old style and it didn't seem like it had too much play but changing it out made a good bit of difference. It's cheap and quick...A+

Just changed the guide on my 99 and wow, I wish I would have done this before I did bushings and TRE's. The highway wandering and 60+ steering wheel shake are gone. Feels so much better than before.

Ok, reading all these symptoms I was leaning towards a bad rack. I even went so far as replacing the rack bushings first. But like I said, the rack isn't leaking (PS reservoir stays full, the fluid I was seeing on it is oil from a valve cover gasket leak).

I just got back from the dealership for a 3rd opinion (after going to two general mechanics) and surprise, surprise- he said the rack looked fine and that it was the front shocks that needed replacing, showing me where the oil was leaking from them.

While I was there, I got a proper balance and just that made quite a difference. So, perhaps the tires being out of balance combined with 230k mi original shocks gave me the same front end issues.

I just did this guide replacement and what a great repair. Easy too.