Issues after Rack and Pinion Replacement

[chuth10]

Hello all,

Looking for some advice after rack and pinion replacement. I just did the replacement a few days ago and everything went well. While replacing that, I also replaced the Sway bar links, as the bushings were horrible. About 20 minutes of driving it afterwards, a warning saying to service the ABS system. I've also noticed the steering to be very loose. With a little play in the steering wheel.

Is this something that was done wrong from the install? I have not gotten the code checked as I do not have a reader. What else could possible cause the steering to be that loose?

Looking for insight on the matter!

Thanks all!

 

[mtofell]

Pretty sure you need to get an alignment after that job. I just went through it on my 2008 Honda Odyssey and the steering felt all kinds of wonky until I got it aligned. Not sure about the ABS warning but you are working around pretty close to the wheel sensors and other things. When you get the code I'd reset it and see if it comes back. IIRC I had that warning come up a couple times when my truck was newer but it hasn't returned for years. I can't recall for sure but I don't think I ever got a code.

 

[Ken226]

Hello all,

Looking for some advice after rack and pinion replacement. I just did the replacement a few days ago and everything went well. While replacing that, I also replaced the Sway bar links, as the bushings were horrible. About 20 minutes of driving it afterwards, a warning saying to service the ABS system. I've also noticed the steering to be very loose. With a little play in the steering wheel.

Is this something that was done wrong from the install? I have not gotten the code checked as I do not have a reader. What else could possible cause the steering to be that loose?

Looking for insight on the matter!

Thanks all!

OEM Mopar rack?

 

[chuth10]

OEM Mopar rack?

Yes

 

[Ken226]

Yes

Did you do this work yourself, or did someone else do it?

If someone else did it, these days, I'd probably expect these issues as normal after a EPS rack replaced. I pretty much accept that if I pay a shop to do something, I'll have to go behind them and redo the work.


The ABS system is unrelated to the EPS system. I doubt that EPS replacement directly affected the ABS system.

Did you have the wheels off? Is it possible that one of the wheel speed sensor cables got damaged while working on the EPS rack?

As for the steering feeling loose, double check the universal joint type coupler that connects the steering shaft to the EPS input shaft. It's a pain in the butt to get at, so there is a tendency to screw it up when reinstalling.

Or, if it was jiffy lube/Ram Dealer who did the work, to just not reinstall the bolt at all.

 

[chuth10]

Thank you for the feedback. I will double check the sensors. My dad and I did the work together and thought we did a good job. I will double check the bolt going from EPS shaft/steering shaft. I know we were able to slide the EPS unit into the steering shaft. My dad did put the bolt in, I will double check. I am assuming it only goes in one way.

Thanks again!