I got two issues now. Tires squeal at the slightest turn of the wheels. Sometimes even going straight! Steering feels a lot lighter and sort of wobbly with little resistance. Dropped it off again tonight.

 

Kinda sounds like an improper alignment.

 

That's what the service manager said. I'll know this afternoon. First they were saying it was like this when they got it. BS. What I don't understand is if alignment gets out of whack when they work on the steering rack.

 

Got it back from the shop. They wanted to charge me $80 for alignment to which I said NO. I had no steering issues when I brought in. Anyway, it is fixed now but I never figured out how it went out of alignment in the first place.

 

It went out of alignment due to the fact that your tie rods were reused on the new rack. When they changed the tie rods over they most likely did not set the toe correctly.

 

Even if they were new tie-rod ends, they adjusted them improperly. I would think an alignment would be Standard Operating Procedure after a rack replacement. I guess not...at least not for this shop.

 

Well...if they put a new rack in...of COURSE it will need an alignment! lol.

I have had a few racks replaced by Dodge on my dakota, an alignment is part of the repair.

My second power steering rack was very very light, it only lasted 6000 miles. the steering was as quick and light as a feather.

That doesn't mean anything though. I thought the lightness of the steering had something to do with the caster angle, but I am not sure if thats something that can be adjusted on our trucks.

Either way, after you get a new steering rack installed, you always need an alignment.

 

They did mention the caster angel too. Why would you need a new steering rack at 25K anyway? What is there to wear out? I have never had one replaced on any of my cars or trucks at any mileage.