Steering rack replacement???

[Steve91T]

So, I'd say about 5-7 years ago, my dad (who owned the car at the time) were changing his brakes after a track event. This is a 97 SS by the way. Anyway, I had a Toyota MR2 at the time, which had 205's on the front and obviously no engine over the front wheels. I used to just unlock the steering column and without the engine running, turn the front wheels. On the slippery garage surface it was no big deal. Well, I convinced him to do that in the Camaro. It obviously has huge 275's on the front along with a ton of weight. Well, ever since then, there has been some play. It's not all the time. I'll notice it pulling into a parking space every now and then. As I'm turning the wheel, I'll hear a fairly loud metallic clunk and I'll feel it through the steering wheel. Like something just shifted.

It's very hard to describe. Basically it takes a lot of force to make whatever it is shift, but it does so with a clunk. When it does happen, sometimes the steering wheel will be fairly straight, other times it'll be a degree or so to the left.

On the race track it's really annoying. Under the stresses of a corner, I'll get the "shift" in the steering rack at almost every corner.

Anyway, I just called Chevy to see what a new steering rack would cost. He quoted me nearly $700.

So, what do you guys think. I'm definitely not going to be spending $700 anytime soon.

Thanks,
Steve

[95z28onjuice]

Well sounds like the pump or rack is failing. did you check the color of the fluid and the level?

also does the pump make any noise at all?

is the belt slipping , also is there any leak's in the front that may cause a belt slip? water pump or oil?

as for a new rack, two or three of the last chevy racks i have had started to pop when turning left, corvette and camaro racks did it. If you want you couild look into a manual rack and its like 600 for the kit or so, would reduce weight and make it easyer to turn in your racing. I think its a flaming river kit

[Steve91T]

I can't do manual. I do road courses and a manual rack would be brutal.

The power steering is really not bad. I will be replacing the pump sometime before my next event and I'm also going to add a power steering cooler. But it's this mechanical clunk that bothers me. I'm not loosing power steering, I'm just getting this "shift".

[95z28onjuice]

you would be surprized, there quick ratio

[Paulster2]

Personally, before I went to the time and expense of changing out the steering rack, I'd be looking at some of the pieces which wear out well before that usually goes bad ... like the lower ball joints and the outer tie rod ends.

[Steve91T]

I'm pretty sure it's the rack. I think we damaged it.

[Paulster2]

Originally Posted by Steve91T

I'm pretty sure it's the rack. I think we damaged it.

Oh, nice. I'd just check the other stuff to be sure. Doesn't hurt anything to see. Could really hurt to find out otherwise. To lose a ball joint or a tie rod end while under hard cornering will more than likely end up with a totaled car if not the loss of life.

[Steve91T]

Absolutely. I'll still get under there and start checking around.

Steve

[brianswimmer23]

Originally Posted by Steve91T

So, I'd say about 5-7 years ago, my dad (who owned the car at the time) were changing his brakes after a track event. This is a 97 SS by the way. Anyway, I had a Toyota MR2 at the time, which had 205's on the front and obviously no engine over the front wheels. I used to just unlock the steering column and without the engine running, turn the front wheels. On the slippery garage surface it was no big deal. Well, I convinced him to do that in the Camaro. It obviously has huge 275's on the front along with a ton of weight. Well, ever since then, there has been some play. It's not all the time. I'll notice it pulling into a parking space every now and then. As I'm turning the wheel, I'll hear a fairly loud metallic clunk and I'll feel it through the steering wheel. Like something just shifted.

It's very hard to describe. Basically it takes a lot of force to make whatever it is shift, but it does so with a clunk. When it does happen, sometimes the steering wheel will be fairly straight, other times it'll be a degree or so to the left.

On the race track it's really annoying. Under the stresses of a corner, I'll get the "shift" in the steering rack at almost every corner.

Anyway, I just called Chevy to see what a new steering rack would cost. He quoted me nearly $700.

So, what do you guys think. I'm definitely not going to be spending $700 anytime soon.

Thanks,
Steve

700 bucks i can get an OEM Ac Delco steer rack for 180 or the other one for 240 theirs two types for our 97 SS so i would have to make sure what type of rack you had (check your RPO code) .
but thats if this is even your problem. like said get down their and check it out.

[Steve91T]

Is the 240 one the variable assist or ratio or something? I think that's what I have.

Does shbox.com have info on how to check everything?

Thanks,
Steve

[brianswimmer23]

the difference is handling or some thing like that. cause i plan on getting one soon and i had him look it up last week and found two different ones. as soon as their open tomorrow i will let you know.
as far as whats on robs site(shbox) i believe their is something about adjusting the pre-load or something just go look around.

[richard96]

I bought one from advance for $90. Works great.

[brianswimmer23]

alright their is two different set-ups for our cars . one is for stock not sure of the RPO code but i have the other one which is FE2 which is ride handling suspension. now the cost for the rack is 159.83 and thats with a turn around on the core (core charge is $85). the best part is it's OEM!!

[Steve91T]

No kidding. I may replace the rack just because of the cheap cost!

Before I do anything, let me ask this. If you are sitting in the driveway with with the car off and the steering wheel unlocked. If you turn the wheel, you're going to have to put a lot of effort into it, right? Well, what could you possible damage?

I'm just assuming the steering rack. I haven't been able to find anything else that may have been damaged.

Thanks,
Steve

[brianswimmer23]

im not sure if you will damage much other than the rack but again im no expert on this system. but yea you would have to put alot of effort into turning the wheel for you wouldn't have power steering since the pump wouldn't be on.