Steering Rack or Inner Tie Rod

[jrclark32]

Hey all. I’ve been doing a lot of front end work on my ‘88 Carby and after Shocks, CV Axles, Tie Rod ends, Control arms, wheel bearings, and brakes, I still have steering issues.

I got her up in the air and there’s horizontal play in the right wheel. The inner tie rods were replaced at one point, but I don’t think have many miles on them. I’m afraid it’s the Steering Rack, but I’m hoping not. Those seem to be non-existent now.

I’m guess I can’t attach a video, but I put one on YouTube.

Thanks in advance for your advice!

[1990new]

Her is a link to a thread I posted 2 years ago about how I replace the right inner tie rod bushing in Trixie without removing the entire rack. That was two years ago and its still doing great.

https://fordfestiva.com/forums/forum/maintenance/repair-help-forum/1253676-steering-rack

After posting this I just realized that your is an 88 and it did have the steel rack housing instead of aluminum... The busing I show using may not bit that steel housing. I had a good rebuilt steel housing but I gave it away a few years ago... don't have any more racks now.
Good luck with yours.

[ricko1966]

That's the rack bushing,where are you located,I'll check my assortment of racks and let you know if I have a good one like yours. NM I see you are in Texas. I'll let you know if I have one and how much to get it to you.

[jrclark32]

That would be great. Thanks!

[jrclark32]

I do have my dearly departed 1990 that someone set on fire a few years back. The inside was completely destroyed, but it’s possible that the rack survived. Would that work to swap out?

[jbjones]

About 2 years ago I bought a steering rack off of eBay for my '90 Festy. The tie rods were too long, but easily replaced with the right ones. It fixed my noise issue (bushings were long gone), and it's still tight to this day. I still see plenty of them on ebay, ~$99. Which is what I paid for mine. Not a terribly easy install, but not overly difficult either. Good luck!

-JB

[1990new]

I just realized that I do still have the rebuilt steel rack in the garage... It has the universal for the steering column attached and one new ball joint.
It's yours or anyone's who will pay shipping or pick it up.

[1990new]

I just realized that I do still have the rebuilt steel rack in the garage... It has the universal for the steering column attached and one new ball joint.
It's yours or anyone's who will pay shipping or pick it up.