Well a few months back i installed a rag joint eliminator.....
http://home.comcast.net/~nstama/ragjoint.htm
.....Big help and a major improvement over stock ragjoint.

Well now the steering rack has loosened up again so it feels like it did right before the eliminator install with about 1-2 inches of travel/play at the steering wheel before the wheels actually turn. The steering shaft itself is solid, the looseness is comming from inside the steering rack for sure. Steering fluid is topped off and i doubt a flush will fix this problem.

Are there any types of adjustments or loose bolts that can be tightened inside the rack to help this issue?? It gets a little unnerving when the wheel is loose going 80mph on I-95. I would like to avoid replacing the entire rack because i heard it can be a pain in the @$$ getting to the bolts and i dont have the time. thanks in advance.

 

The rack isn't too bad to replace as long as you can get it in the air.

Have you tried flushing the lines? I know you say it won't help, but have you tried yet?

If it's not that, I'm going to say your rack is going to the graveyard...

 

great link i have been searching for the rag joint to purchase

 

Well i finally to around to doing a flush but the problem still exists. The wheel is loose. Feels like the the rack n pinion has excess play which causes quite a bit a wiggle in the steering wheel.

 

Replacing the rack and pinion might not even solve your problem. My rack was leaking like crazy and the wheel was loose as hell too (in my 93.) I had the rack and pinion replaced and though the leaks have stopped and the fluid stays full, the wheel is still loose with 1-2 inches of play in the steering wheel before the car turns. I'm replying to this thread not only to share that info, but also to find out if there are any adjustments as I'd like to know myself.

 

My entire power steering system doesnt leak at all. not one drip. just loose as hell.

 

Mine is leak-free now, and also loose.

 

After tightening the shaft down again, the wheel feels ok. but ever since the power steering flush, certain sections of the wheel make a grinding sound and vibrate the wheel if im making a tight turn in a parking lot. im guessing there are still bubbles in the rack. when i was flushing the system, the reservior somehow drained faster than i could refill it with new fluid and im sure it sucked some air into the lines.

I used shboxes bleeding guide on his website. "with wheels off the gound and engine off turn the wheel right to left 20 times". still feels like there are bubbles in there. any suggestions to get 'um out? thank again

 

in the same boat. buddy told me to take beltoff spin it in reverse. Didn'thelp..UGH!!!!

 

I have a similar problem. I'm thinking it's the tie rods, but I haven't got around to replacing them. I'm pretty sure my rack is fine.

 

Check inner and outer tie rods for play. The inners are covered by the rack boots. check to see if there is play inside the rack by turning the shaft and watching for movement at the tie rods (after tie rods and rag joint have been checked). If slop is still present, check the column.