How to spot a failed rack and pinion

[bzettler83]

So about 2yrs ago I had a leak in my steering rack and I found a good deal on rock auto so I went ahead and replaced it.

Well since then every time I go off road I have an issue with my alignment, mainly my steering wheel being off. I go to my local shop, have it aligned and all is well.

IT seems to me something has to be wrong in the rack. Pretty much everything upfront is new... New tie rod's, new end links, new sway bar links, bushings replaced in the LCA 2yrs ago, new lower ball joints, fairly new total chaos UCA's.... What else could it be?

 

[CruzadoBlanco]

it really just comes down to how the front geometry is being ifs, hell even my wrangler would do that when i wheeled it hard. if you play in the rocks like i do its not hard to pull your front end out of spec. whether it be steering, camber/caster/toe, or any other part of it. i still need to get mine realigned after jamboree since my steering wheel sits at about a 20 degree angle from center now.

 

[bzettler83]

So I guess I dont understand what the weak point is....

Looking at the fact nothing is bent, or broken but the steering wheel is off by 15-25 degrees after every off road experience.

So better question, when the alignment shot adjusts the steering wheel, what do they adjust? Maybe that part is worn, or not tight enough....

 

[fdbyrne]

They usually center the steering wheel by adjusting the tie rod ends.

 

[bzettler83]

but if nothing is bent or broken, what is moving to cause they steering wheel to move.

Any other sugguestions?

 

[nevada]

but if nothing is bent or broken, what is moving to cause they steering wheel to move.

Any other sugguestions?

if the LCA bolts aren't tight enough, they will move and the camber will go out, this will also cause the wheel to be off. as the camber will affect the toe setting.

 

[CruzadoBlanco]

but if nothing is bent or broken, what is moving to cause they steering wheel to move.

Any other sugguestions?

like already said it can be the LCA's or the it could the the tierods moving threads. the latter i am familar with since my wrangler would do that no matter what steering setup i had on it (stock, T style, or cross over Y one ton). its not something broken its just physics. if you ever look at an IFS truck climbing an obstacle the tierods with flex. ive seen guys run aftermarket DOM tierods that help but even then the LCA adjustment cams can still move in the same scenario, also if you turn against or into a rock or any good amount of resistance.