Hi all. I recently put in a new steering rack and also outer tie rod ends. It was my first time doing this. Afterwards I had it aligned, but since then I’m noticing a clicking when I turn the wheel sometimes and also steering wheel play again only sometimes.

I know now it isn’t the pinch bolt on the coupler because I double checked it with my torque wrench. My suspicions are that either the remanufactured rack already had problems, or that when adjusting the tow (after the installation just to get it close enough to drive it to the shop for a proper alignment) I messed something up as I didn’t raise the front of the vehicle when turning the inner ends and all the weight of the vehicle was still on the wheels , or maybe its the cheap non greasable outer tie rod ends.

Any ideas from you guys? Thanks

well what should I check specifically? I don’t really know everything that could be the culprit. Thanks

Well I took a look and I think it might be the bushings that mount the rack to the frame. They’re new bushings so the only thing I can think of is that when I used the pneumatic impact gun I over tightened them. Does that sound likely to any of you guys? Thanks

Well I’m not sure. Like I said this the first time I’ve worked on a steering rack. It is moving a little. I also noticed the upper ball joints have the rubber torn. Would that explain a click/clack/pop when turning the wheel to the left after the truck has been sitting for a few hours and steering wheel play? That’s when I always notice it. Right when I get in the truck for the first time in a while, I’ll back down the driveway with the wheel turned to the left, then stop put in drive turn the wheel back right to drive down the street. Throughout the process I hear the noise , but by the time a minute or two is up I can’t get it to do it. And then of course there’s the play in the wheel and it pulling to the right despite having an alignment right after putting the rack in a month ago. Hope this info helps. And thanks for your assistance