Knocking Noise Steering Rack '94 Civic DX

[psycho_freke]

I can grab ahold of the passenger side inner tie rod and wiggle it up and down a little. When I do it sounds like there's a knocking sound coming from inside the rack. Is there a way to fix/rebuild this or do I just need to go to the junkyard and pull another rack? :thinking:

I do need to replace the inner tie rod on that side, but that seems like a lot of movement inside the rack for it to be just the tie rod.

I've also been hearing a knock occassionally when I shift gears. That sound didn't start until recently, so I'm assuming there's just that much movement in that tie rod that it's knocking when I shift...

[psycho_freke]

I also have a set of brand new inner and outer tie rods for the civic and my Integra rack. Will the tie rods and ends that fit the civic manual rack also fit the teg rack?

[1civic]

by the time you rebuild it, been easier to replace it... I'd buy a rebuilt one for parts store, cost more but 1 less worry..

[psycho_freke]

So the rack is bad huh? :\

What about pulling the rack from my Integra and doing an auto to manual rack conversion? I know this is ebay, but according to this sale: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/CHASSIS-RITE-REV299-Tie-Rod-/170630532386?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item27ba5f4d22#vi-ilComp the inners will fit either vehicle.

Unfortunately I don't have 200 bones lyin around and from what I hear the teg rack has a quicker ratio.

[1civic]

So the rack is bad huh? :\

What about pulling the rack from my Integra and doing an auto to manual rack conversion? I know this is ebay, but according to this sale: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/CHASSIS-RITE-REV299-Tie-Rod-/170630532386?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item27ba5f4d22#vi-ilComp the inners will fit either vehicle.

Unfortunately I don't have 200 bones lyin around and from what I hear the teg rack has a quicker ratio.

Teg rack will fit, but a couple changes have to be made, be sure you have bushings, and the yoke from the teg, both are different..

Yes it can be rebuilt, inner and out can be changed, it's the seals that make it a pain... You have a few options, and since you don't have cash then work on the best option, and the best rack condition wise..

[psycho_freke]

I still have the teg with the rack in it, so I know I have the bushings and yoke. Whichever rack I use it will likely need new tie rods. You think it would be easier to just swap over than to rebuild the manual civic rack?

[1civic]

I still have the teg with the rack in it, so I know I have the bushings and yoke. Whichever rack I use it will likely need new tie rods. You think it would be easier to just swap over than to rebuild the manual civic rack?

Manual rack is as simple as it gets, if the seals are good, just install the inner and outers, and have it aligned!!

[psycho_freke]

So you think the knocking I'm hearing when I'm shaking the tie rod up and down could be as simple as the tie rod socket? I haven't seen any fluid seeping from the rack.
It also makes the same loud clunk when I turn the wheel all the way to the right with the front end off the ground.

[98blackcivic]

did u delete PS pump?
jw
cuz that happened to me
i just replaced inner and outer tie rods...maybe it went away..

[1civic]

So you think the knocking I'm hearing when I'm shaking the tie rod up and down could be as simple as the tie rod socket? I haven't seen any fluid seeping from the rack.
It also makes the same loud clunk when I turn the wheel all the way to the right with the front end off the ground.

Look at the ball joints (outer) most times that is your problem.. UNLESS its a strut, spring, etc.. I'm not there so just eye ball things, shake things, etc.. Pin point the source while someone else turns the wheel..

[psycho_freke]

We've replaced the spindles with the teg spindles (along with the front brakes, master cylinder, and booster) and inspected the ball joints. Replaced all of the bushings (except strut bushings) with poly. The front end is tight except the steering and struts. I was the one turning the wheel while my father had his head under there and verified that the steering is where the noise is coming from while the car was off the ground. I grabbed the passenger side inner tie rod today and shook it up and down which resulted in the same noise, although it had no movement side to side. We know the inner tie rod is bad, but the noise is pretty loud and distinct when I turn the wheel/shake the tie rod. When I shook the tie rod, it sounded like some of the movement and sound was coming from within the rack close to the yoke. Guess I should've told you what all we have already done before asking that question.

[psycho_freke]

All of the play seems to be on the inner tie rod near the collar and mostly with up and down movement. The only time I hear the knock is with up and down movement, shifting gears, or hard right turns. Vibration at highway speeds has gotten worse. Honestly, I also would have thought a ball joint given the symptoms. If it is just the inner tie rod, then it's making a hell of a loud noise. When my father looked at it (1civic you remember talkin to him on the phone right?) he seemed to be really leaning towards it being the rack, but suggested I get another opinion.

[psycho_freke]

did u delete PS pump?
jw
cuz that happened to me
i just replaced inner and outer tie rods...maybe it went away..

No, I have a manual rack. If I change to the teg rack I'll be doing it with a PS delete setup, though.

[98blackcivic]

No, I have a manual rack. If I change to the teg rack I'll be doing it with a PS delete setup, though.

yea make sure you loop your lines..or you'll be back on square one in NO time... :)

[psycho_freke]

yea make sure you loop your lines..or you'll be back on square one in NO time... :)

That sounds like the voice of experience talking, lol ;)

[psycho_freke]

Still have a couple questions that never really got answered:

1. Does it sound like a bad rack or just a bad tie rod? (or) How to tell? (yes I've googled and gotten nowhere)

2. Will tie rods/ends for a civic with a manual rack fit an integra rack? (I already have these, just wondering if they'll work).

[1civic]

All of the play seems to be on the inner tie rod near the collar and mostly with up and down movement. The only time I hear the knock is with up and down movement, shifting gears, or hard right turns. Vibration at highway speeds has gotten worse. Honestly, I also would have thought a ball joint given the symptoms. If it is just the inner tie rod, then it's making a hell of a loud noise. When my father looked at it (1civic you remember talkin to him on the phone right?) he seemed to be really leaning towards it being the rack, but suggested I get another opinion.

Ok, if the sound is from the collar then it can be adjusted, if you pull the boot off you will see that yoke while replacing the inner tie rod.. If the seals are good then spend your time replacing both inner and outer and also the collar.. Easier if you pull the boot to see what I speak of, but still easy fix..:goodjob:

this video is not a Honda, but trying to help you get an idea of the work..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJpuz-gf9pA&feature=fvwp&NR=1

[psycho_freke]

Thanks man