Where to source a steering rack without play?

So I need to get a new rack, and that's proven to be an issue.

The car is daily driven and eventually it will serve as an open track car.

I bought an AGR 15:1 high effort/feel rack to replace the worn stocker, just to find the "new" agr unit from summit had the same, if not more, play. I can send off my rack to AGR for diagnosis and repair, however it is not under warrantee because I did not install it within 90 days of purchase. Also leaves me one car down (which I have another, but none-the-less, solutions with minimizing downtime get priority, even if I find a good rack I'll likely ship this one to AGR for examination).

So my choices in order of personal preference are:

2000 R Rack - unobtainium. They go great with my Arizona beachfront property.

2003-04 cobra rack, new - Dealers can order them, some part number and tag issues, but lately have been receiving different racks with different stampings in the boxes. No guarantee of getting a true 03-04 dohc rack. Not to mention $330 range + $150 core charge

AGR rack - the feel is great on it outside the play, very firm and I like the 15:1 ratio/2.5 lock to lock. Downside is I've been hearing more bad than good about them lately, and not impressed with my first shiney rack from them, was worse than the stocker as far as the freeplay. I could order another, but I'm not sure on how I feel about that.

Getting a wreck's rack - would a wreck cause the rack to wear prematurely? Also, no clue on checking rack for play, since they will have logged miles.

Autoparts rack - they have cheap remans, even a specific part number for the cobras with a lifetime warrantee, however, could they just be a generic rack that they charge more for the cobra identification?

So what route would you recommend? I just want to get sharp precise steering. Hell, if someone thought it would be plausable to build mounts for the S197 racks, I'd even try that.


BTW, I already have a solid steering shaft, delrin FLCA bushings, alum rack bushings, and fresh tierods with spherical ends. Should be ZERO play, but the damn thing has 6*.
 
I had the same problem when I replace my steering rack, still had about an 1" of slack in it at the steering wheel. I order an 04 steering shaft from MPS and that cured it. Now you can barely move the steering wheel and the car responds.
 
I had the same problem when I replace my steering rack, still had about an 1" of slack in it at the steering wheel. I order an 04 steering shaft from MPS and that cured it. Now you can barely move the steering wheel and the car responds.

I had an 04 steering shaft, then replaced it with the pricer Maximum Motorsports steering shaft, trust me, from the wheel to the input on the rack itself, there's 0 play.
 
I'm running an original rack, something has been deterioriating in ther for years as my PS fluid is alway blacke...except when changed. But it usually turns black in 1 day or so. However there is 0 play in there. Just a thought possibly your steering wheel is wearing out and there's play between it and the shaft. Or maybe the bolt is loose?:shrug: Just a thought.