Cascade Crew

91RSVert · Posted: Fri May 18, 2012 5:44 am Post subject: *gasp* rack n pinion question

So I know this is a GM board and the "f" word is bad Laughing

. But I know some of us work on anything so thats why I'm asking.

I have a friend who owns a 00-02'ish mustang. Got in a wreck with it and the main impact point was on the front of the tire, like it hit the tread. When it did this it pulled on the rack-n-pinion, pulling it wider so that its toed out majorly. We have replaced the control arm, spindle. It corrected it some, but its still heavly toed out, more than getting an alignment will fix.

Can these be adjusted, pushed together, or something? Or is this something hes going to have to replace? Hes very poor and been replacing the parts of a base model onto a GT. But research has shown that the RNP is different.

Twilightoptics · Posted: Fri May 18, 2012 7:24 am Post subject:

Should have threaded tie rod ends to adjust toe.

91RSVert · Posted: Fri May 18, 2012 12:13 pm Post subject:

Its WAY more than what tie rods will adjust out. Were talking about 3+ inches.

Twilightoptics · Posted: Fri May 18, 2012 1:42 pm Post subject:

Then one of the spindles is bent where the tie rod attaches. You said it's been replaced so it must be different then.

And 3" isn't that much, that's only an inch and a half on either side. Racks don't "extent" they break or pull out completely.

Alphius · Posted: Fri May 18, 2012 4:31 pm Post subject:

A RnP doesn't break like that. Something is bent or the wrong part.

chevymad · Posted: Fri May 18, 2012 5:00 pm Post subject:

If a rack has been hit that hard you need to replace it. I mean this is your steering you're talking about. Difference between the 2 is probably just ratio.

aaron_sK · Posted: Fri May 18, 2012 5:08 pm Post subject:

91RSVert · Posted: Fri May 18, 2012 6:15 pm Post subject:

Ive done some research after posting this.

There are 2 differences.
A valve that controls pressure, that controls how stiff the steering is.
turn ratios that is just shims installed somewhere.

I think I have him talked into swapping. Hes just unsure all the parts can be swapped and drivable in one weekend. (were taking more than just the r&p. fenders, lights, bumper, etc)

:edit: Need to explain more. He has an 00 base model. He was given an 02 GT. Wrecked the gt so he went back to driving his base. Since hes limited on money, hes thinking of finishing off fixing the GT by stripping parts off his base.

QwkTrip · Posted: Fri May 18, 2012 7:35 pm Post subject:

I have found that nearly any job can be done in a weekend if it's the only car you have to drive on Monday.

Funny how that works. But it does.

91RSVert · Posted: Sat May 19, 2012 4:27 am Post subject:

True. IMO, if we had no distractions, and he had everything we need at the house parts wise. It could be done.

But we know that never happens.