1997 Intrepid Rack and Pinion

I currently own a 1997 Dodge Intrepid ES (3.5 liter). I recently had
to have the rack and pinion assembly replaced. Considering that the
dealer wanted $1,500 to put a new one in, I went for a rebuilt one
with a local shop for over just half that price. It seems to have
fixed the major problem (alignment way out and mushy steering).
However, when I went somewhere else to have it precision toe aligned
and new tires put on, they seemed to know right away that someone had
replaced the rack and pinion and noted that there was some play on the
front wheels because the inner tie rod bushings had not been replaced.

I talked to the original shop and they said the rebuilt rack did not
come with bushings for this model and they used the originals which
they said were ok and that slight play in the wheels was normal. (I
honestly can't feel it while driving.) The guy seems competent
enough, but I sure would hate to be addressing this again six months
down the road and ruin the new tires.

I took it back the next day to the other place (Goodyear) and a
different mechanic was on duty who said exactly the same thing about
the loose play in the wheels and even had me move the tire/wheel back
and forth while it was on the rack. (I have no idea how much slack
there should be.) They were not offering to fix or sell me anything
beyond what I wanted, so it did seem to me they were honestly trying
to warn me.

I asked another local shop and they thought it was strange that the
rack did not come with the inner tie rod bushings. The original shop
said bring it back and they would show me everything they did, but not
sure that would mean much to someone is not a mechanic.

I would appeciate any input on this. If I feel comfortable enough
about the bushings, I'll just leave it alone since it's driving great.

NOTE: Not sure if it's important, but the rack had the proportional
steering.

Thanks

Joe D.

Joe D. wrote:

> I currently own a 1997 Dodge Intrepid ES (3.5 liter). I recently had
> to have the rack and pinion assembly replaced. Considering that the
> dealer wanted $1,500 to put a new one in, I went for a rebuilt one
> with a local shop for over just half that price. It seems to have
> fixed the major problem (alignment way out and mushy steering).
> However, when I went somewhere else to have it precision toe aligned
> and new tires put on, they seemed to know right away that someone had
> replaced the rack and pinion and noted that there was some play on the
> front wheels because the inner tie rod bushings had not been replaced.
>
> I talked to the original shop and they said the rebuilt rack did not
> come with bushings for this model and they used the originals which
> they said were ok and that slight play in the wheels was normal. (I
> honestly can't feel it while driving.) The guy seems competent
> enough, but I sure would hate to be addressing this again six months
> down the road and ruin the new tires.
>
> I took it back the next day to the other place (Goodyear) and a
> different mechanic was on duty who said exactly the same thing about
> the loose play in the wheels and even had me move the tire/wheel back
> and forth while it was on the rack. (I have no idea how much slack
> there should be.) They were not offering to fix or sell me anything
> beyond what I wanted, so it did seem to me they were honestly trying
> to warn me.
>
> I asked another local shop and they thought it was strange that the
> rack did not come with the inner tie rod bushings. The original shop
> said bring it back and they would show me everything they did, but not
> sure that would mean much to someone is not a mechanic.
>
> I would appeciate any input on this. If I feel comfortable enough
> about the bushings, I'll just leave it alone since it's driving great.
>
> NOTE: Not sure if it's important, but the rack had the proportional
> steering.
================================================== ==

Those bushings are the weak point in the LH car steering system. They
take a lot of stress, and when they are worn, cause all manner of weird
creaking, and looseness in the steering. I would not necessarily find
it strange that the new rack didn't come with the bushings, because they
come with the TIE RODS, at least when I had to buy them from Chrysler.

I'd have replaced them just out of principle. The original one-piece
bushings are quite difficult to press into the tie rods, but there is a
split version which is easy to install. I would also have replaced the
rubber mounts for the rack, onto the body, if I were replacing a rack.
Those get worn and loose, too.

Joe D. wrote:

> I currently own a 1997 Dodge Intrepid ES (3.5 liter). I recently had
> to have the rack and pinion assembly replaced. Considering that the
> dealer wanted $1,500 to put a new one in, I went for a rebuilt one
> with a local shop for over just half that price. It seems to have
> fixed the major problem (alignment way out and mushy steering).
> However, when I went somewhere else to have it precision toe aligned
> and new tires put on, they seemed to know right away that someone had
> replaced the rack and pinion and noted that there was some play on the
> front wheels because the inner tie rod bushings had not been replaced.
>
> I talked to the original shop and they said the rebuilt rack did not
> come with bushings for this model and they used the originals which
> they said were ok and that slight play in the wheels was normal. (I
> honestly can't feel it while driving.) The guy seems competent
> enough, but I sure would hate to be addressing this again six months
> down the road and ruin the new tires.
>
> I took it back the next day to the other place (Goodyear) and a
> different mechanic was on duty who said exactly the same thing about
> the loose play in the wheels and even had me move the tire/wheel back
> and forth while it was on the rack. (I have no idea how much slack
> there should be.) They were not offering to fix or sell me anything
> beyond what I wanted, so it did seem to me they were honestly trying
> to warn me.
>
> I asked another local shop and they thought it was strange that the
> rack did not come with the inner tie rod bushings. The original shop
> said bring it back and they would show me everything they did, but not
> sure that would mean much to someone is not a mechanic.
>
> I would appeciate any input on this. If I feel comfortable enough
> about the bushings, I'll just leave it alone since it's driving great.
>
> NOTE: Not sure if it's important, but the rack had the proportional
> steering.
================================================== ==

Those bushings are the weak point in the LH car steering system. They
take a lot of stress, and when they are worn, cause all manner of weird
creaking, and looseness in the steering. I would not necessarily find
it strange that the new rack didn't come with the bushings, because they
come with the TIE RODS, at least when I had to buy them from Chrysler.

I'd have replaced them just out of principle. The original one-piece
bushings are quite difficult to press into the tie rods, but there is a
split version which is easy to install. I would also have replaced the
rubber mounts for the rack, onto the body, if I were replacing a rack.
Those get worn and loose, too.

On Tue, 10 Aug 2004 22:10:02 -0700, Gene Poon > wrote:
>
>Those bushings are the weak point in the LH car steering system. They
>take a lot of stress, and when they are worn, cause all manner of weird
>creaking, and looseness in the steering. I would not necessarily find
>it strange that the new rack didn't come with the bushings, because they
>come with the TIE RODS, at least when I had to buy them from Chrysler.
>
>I'd have replaced them just out of principle. The original one-piece
>bushings are quite difficult to press into the tie rods, but there is a
>split version which is easy to install. I would also have replaced the
>rubber mounts for the rack, onto the body, if I were replacing a rack.
>Those get worn and loose, too.

Thanks for the response. They told me they replaced the rack (and
rack bushings) and the outer tie rods. The mechanic claims on this
car that there really isn't an inner tie rod. (That sounds strange.)
Just seems strange to me to have major work done on the steering and
not replace the rubber pieces since they tend to wear down the
fastest.

On Tue, 10 Aug 2004 22:10:02 -0700, Gene Poon > wrote:
>
>Those bushings are the weak point in the LH car steering system. They
>take a lot of stress, and when they are worn, cause all manner of weird
>creaking, and looseness in the steering. I would not necessarily find
>it strange that the new rack didn't come with the bushings, because they
>come with the TIE RODS, at least when I had to buy them from Chrysler.
>
>I'd have replaced them just out of principle. The original one-piece
>bushings are quite difficult to press into the tie rods, but there is a
>split version which is easy to install. I would also have replaced the
>rubber mounts for the rack, onto the body, if I were replacing a rack.
>Those get worn and loose, too.

Thanks for the response. They told me they replaced the rack (and
rack bushings) and the outer tie rods. The mechanic claims on this
car that there really isn't an inner tie rod. (That sounds strange.)
Just seems strange to me to have major work done on the steering and
not replace the rubber pieces since they tend to wear down the
fastest.

I *couldn't* believe my eyes when I saw Joe D. wrote:

> On Tue, 10 Aug 2004 22:10:02 -0700, Gene Poon > wrote:
>>
>>Those bushings are the weak point in the LH car steering system. They
>>take a lot of stress, and when they are worn, cause all manner of weird
>>creaking, and looseness in the steering. I would not necessarily find
>>it strange that the new rack didn't come with the bushings, because they
>>come with the TIE RODS, at least when I had to buy them from Chrysler.
>>
>>I'd have replaced them just out of principle. The original one-piece
>>bushings are quite difficult to press into the tie rods, but there is a
>>split version which is easy to install. I would also have replaced the
>>rubber mounts for the rack, onto the body, if I were replacing a rack.
>>Those get worn and loose, too.
>
> Thanks for the response. They told me they replaced the rack (and
> rack bushings) and the outer tie rods. The mechanic claims on this
> car that there really isn't an inner tie rod. (That sounds strange.)
> Just seems strange to me to have major work done on the steering and
> not replace the rubber pieces since they tend to wear down the
> fastest.

BTW, how much did this cost?

The problem I'm having is that there is about 1.5" play in the passenger's
side wheel. I looked as best as I could, but the rack is mounted under the
intake plenum on the firewall, and can't be seen well. There is an inner
tie rod end and a bushing. I'm hoping the bushing takes care of it. ( the
bushing costs $7.00, the rack $165!)

I'm thinking he told you there's no inner tie rod end because of the
profit margin between a $7 bushing and a $165 rack!

I *couldn't* believe my eyes when I saw Joe D. wrote:

> On Tue, 10 Aug 2004 22:10:02 -0700, Gene Poon > wrote:
>>
>>Those bushings are the weak point in the LH car steering system. They
>>take a lot of stress, and when they are worn, cause all manner of weird
>>creaking, and looseness in the steering. I would not necessarily find
>>it strange that the new rack didn't come with the bushings, because they
>>come with the TIE RODS, at least when I had to buy them from Chrysler.
>>
>>I'd have replaced them just out of principle. The original one-piece
>>bushings are quite difficult to press into the tie rods, but there is a
>>split version which is easy to install. I would also have replaced the
>>rubber mounts for the rack, onto the body, if I were replacing a rack.
>>Those get worn and loose, too.
>
> Thanks for the response. They told me they replaced the rack (and
> rack bushings) and the outer tie rods. The mechanic claims on this
> car that there really isn't an inner tie rod. (That sounds strange.)
> Just seems strange to me to have major work done on the steering and
> not replace the rubber pieces since they tend to wear down the
> fastest.

BTW, how much did this cost?

The problem I'm having is that there is about 1.5" play in the passenger's
side wheel. I looked as best as I could, but the rack is mounted under the
intake plenum on the firewall, and can't be seen well. There is an inner
tie rod end and a bushing. I'm hoping the bushing takes care of it. ( the
bushing costs $7.00, the rack $165!)

I'm thinking he told you there's no inner tie rod end because of the
profit margin between a $7 bushing and a $165 rack!

Joe D. wrote:

> Thanks for the response. They told me they replaced the rack (and
> rack bushings) and the outer tie rods. The mechanic claims on this
> car that there really isn't an inner tie rod. (That sounds strange.)


There IS an "inner tie rod" but it's the l-o-n-g rod from the rack to
the adjustment sleeves near the outer end.

Diagram at:

http://www.allpar.com/fix/intrepid-steering.html

....and instructions for replacing the bushings.

Joe D. wrote:

> Thanks for the response. They told me they replaced the rack (and
> rack bushings) and the outer tie rods. The mechanic claims on this
> car that there really isn't an inner tie rod. (That sounds strange.)


There IS an "inner tie rod" but it's the l-o-n-g rod from the rack to
the adjustment sleeves near the outer end.

Diagram at:

http://www.allpar.com/fix/intrepid-steering.html

....and instructions for replacing the bushings.

HachiRoku wrote:

> The problem I'm having is that there is about 1.5" play in the passenger's
> side wheel. I looked as best as I could, but the rack is mounted under the
> intake plenum on the firewall, and can't be seen well. There is an inner
> tie rod end and a bushing. I'm hoping the bushing takes care of it. ( the
> bushing costs $7.00, the rack $165!)
>
> I'm thinking he told you there's no inner tie rod end because of the
> profit margin between a $7 bushing and a $165 rack!

==================================

There IS an "inner tie rod" but it runs all the way from the rack at the
center to the adjustment sleeve near the outer end.

Diagram...and DIY instructions on how to change the bushings, at:

http://www.allpar.com/fix/intrepid-steering.html

-GP