Front end problems

[Blue Mach]

Ok here is the story. About 18 months ago I had a pop coming from the front of my car when I turn. It turned out to be the rack, so I had it replaced. Now the pop is back. Could it be the rack is bad again? Could there be something else causing this problem? Anyone else have this problem?

Thanks

 

[Phoenix00GT]

I have the same thing in mine when I am turning slow and tight...like when coming out of a parking space.

I talked to my brother-in-law about this (he builds all sorts of different cars semi-professionally) and he explained that it was the steering rack but that as long as it was limited to the infrequent and extreme conditions that I was experiencing the problem under that it would be okay. In other words, don't worry about it unless you start having the problem on a more frequent basis...like making turns on the street.

Another suggestion as to what might be causing this...you have a lowered car and no off-set A arm bushings...if you get the bushings it will help to fix your suspension geometry and won't put so much strain on the rack. They are pretty cheap in fact they cost more to have them installed than they do to buy them.

 

[samjluck]

i had the same issue. every morning i would turn the wheel to the left and i would get the popping. then sometimes it would happen over speed bumps as well.

took it in and the dealer used "frame ears" (assuming that it is a stethascope sp.? that attaches to the frame to isolate nioses) and determined that the bushings and the bolts for the rack needed to be replaced.

it has been 4k miles and 2.5 months and not a sound since.

 

[Blue Mach]

Thanks for the info, I will look into the bushings

 

[Blue Mach]

Are the front control arm bushings the ones I need to replace? I looked at stangsuspension.com and found some there for $89 but they are for a 83-93. If they are the ones I need were can I find them for my 98gt?

 

[samjluck]

No, not the front control arm bushings in my case. I had the Rack and Pinion bushings and bolts replaced. It was under warranty.

My neighbor and i just did this on his 92' Thunderbird though. The bushing were 12 bucks each at the zone and they were TRW parts. We reused the bolts on this car becauswe they thread into the front lower frame.

The mustang has bolts with nuts that actually go through the lower frame portion and do not thread into it. So maybe they come as a package deal bushings/bolts????

Not sure. maybe the bolts streach like a over torqued head bolt and should not be re-used???