Play in Steering Rack
 

1995 Vanden Plas 4.0L. There is play in the steering, at what I would call, the inner tie rods. I was told on these cars, the entire steering rack must be replaced due to play in the inner tie rods. Is this the case? If so, where is a good place to get the rack, and is there anything special I need to know about what to get? Thank you.

Mmmmmmm, rather low mileage for the inners to fail, but I suppose anything is possible.

The outer tie rod ends, the ones right out near the wheeel, are much more common, and are considered in some circles a "maintenence item", so I would be getting someone like a front end specialist, or 2 or 3, to give it a once over, then relook at the whole picture again.

The mounting "bushes" for the actual steering rack do fail eventually, much more common on the Pre X300, but again, maybe??.

Suppliers would be the ususal who support this site, and the outers would NOT be expensive it any case.

I have found inner tie rods online for about 50$ each. Most mechanics will tell you that the whole rack and pinion needs to be changed because they want to make more money and because parts warehouses dont supply the inner tie rod(But it does come on the rack and pinion) Check online, order the part and then have it installed. Also, the outer tie rod end definetly fails first and should be looked at more closely before opting to change more expensive parts.

I actually am a mechanic myself, but I am young, 21 years old, so I do not have loads of experience. My boss told me he couldn't find any inner tie rods for the car, and that on most European cars you must replace the entire rack to replace the inner tie rod ends. He said they're built into the rack. But, knowing him, it doesn't surprise me that you actually can do the inner tie rods.

I had a coworker confirm that it was the inner tie rods. We are not the original owners, so it is possible that the outer tie rod ends were replaced in the past. Please let me know where I can get the inner tie rods from. Also, is it like most inner tie rods, where there is a spot for a sizable wrench to unscrew it out of the rack? Thanks!

If you do not get a direct answer, there are a couple of threads floating around in the last few weeks about inner tie rod replacement. One claims he can do it without any special tools, and another one says it's impossible without a tie rod tool. In any case, there are flats on the tie rod to turn them.

The "without tools" claim is quite plausible because he is turning the wheel to push the tie rod out further from the rack so the flats are more accessible.

I have found them on ebay for very cheap, but the best ones i have found so far for the best price are from my boy ed. His number is 281 656 2553. Tell him David from Queens NYC sent you and he will take good care of you! I had my mechanic change the tie rods so i dont know if a special tool would be required!

I looked at it real closely. I removed the inner boots and had my dad wiggle the wheels here at home. It had play in both inner tie rods, and even the left outer. Any other play was in the rack itself, but I am sure once the tie rods are fixed any residual play will be minute.

I called Ed, and he is awesome! No one had inner tie rods for this car, which I find ridiculous. It is just like any other tie rod on any other car! NAPA and Advance didn't have them, so I didn't bother with any other place, just called Ed and the parts are on the way! Thank you very much for that reference.

I also got the L/F wheel bearing since it has been noisy. So, they are just in the hub/rotor like the traditional style, correct?

No problem Dave! Ed is great for jag parts, his company takes them apart all the time so he has alot of original used parts too! But yea, hes got the best inner tie rods for the best price that i have found so far! Glad i could be of assistance!