1996 DODGE INTREPID Steeringrack And Pinion Problems

I WOULD FIRST AND FORMOST LIKE TO REPORT THE PREMATURE WEAR OF THE STEERING RACK ON MY 1996 DODGE INTREPID AT AROUND 77,000 MILES. THE RACK HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A HEFTY PRICE. I HAVE SINCE LEARNED THAT THIS IS AN ALARMINGLY WIDESPREAD PROBLEM WITH CHRYSLER LH BODIED VEHICALS, ESPECIALLY DODGE INTREPIDS, AND HAS BEEN FOR MANY YEARS. I HAD THE RACK REPLACED ABOUT THREE YEARS AGO AND ALREADY MY CAR IS SHOWING SYMPTOMS OF MORE STEERING RELATED PROBLEMS. I DRIVE ONLY A MODERATE AMOUNT SO THIS COULD NOT BE JUST "USUAL WEAR AND TEAR". IN ADDITION TO THE STEERING RACK, WITHIN THE LAST THREE YEARS I HAVE HAD TO HAVE AN AXEL REPLACED, ALL OF THE BREAKS DUE TO PREMATURLY WARPED ROTORS (THE BREAKS ACTUALLY WENT OUT ONCE AND I ALMOST REAR ENDED SOMEONE), THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH HAD TO BE REPLACED, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS HARD AND GETS STUCK...

FRONT END OF CAR SHOOK MILDLY AT HIGH SPEEDS. TAKEN TO MECHANIC, WHO SAID STRUTS WOULD NEED REPLACING WITHIN NEXT 3 MONTHS. ABOUT A WEEK LATER, WHILLE PULLING ONTO A BUSY ROAD, RACK AND PINION STEERING SYSTEM FELL APART, ONE WHEEL WENT ONE WAY, THE OTHER WHEEL WENT ANOTHER WAY, CAR THUDDED TO A HOLT VIOLENTLY. TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP, HAS BEEN IN SHOP 2 MONTHS ALREADY, HAVE HAD RACK AND PINION, WATER PUMP, STRUTS, TIRES, POWER STEERING PUMP, AND POWER STEERING PUMP SENSOR RELPACED. VEHICLE STILL WILL NOT TURN, AND IS NO LONGER DRIVABLE OR REPAIRABLE. VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED FROM DEALER CERTFIED USED CAR 4 MONTH EARLIER, APPROX 90000 MILES. TOTAL REPAIR COSTS SO FAR ARE $1,500 - $3,000 AND CLIMBING EVERY DAY. OLD PART IS AVAILABLE.*AK

THE RACK AN PINION BUSHING FAILED HAD TO REPLACE THE WHOLE RACK AND PINION.ALSO THE AXLE HAD TO BE REPLACED THE RING FOR THE ABS AND TRACION CONTROL COME OFF THE AXLE.THERES A SHORT IN THE IGNTION SWITCH, THE GAUGES DONT WORK, AND THE CAR WONT DRIVE IT GOS IN DEFAULT.*AK

IN APIRL 1996 I PURCHASED A NEW 1996 DODGE INTREPID (VIN 2B3HD56F3TH52925) FROM PHILIPS MOTORS IN PHILIP SD. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 2 YEARS AND 30,000 MILES I BEGAN TO NOTICE A GRINDING NOISE AND CLUNKING IN THE STEERING WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE FROM A "COLD SOAK" CONDITION. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 5 MINUTES AND ONCE THE CAR WARMED UP, THE NOISE WOULD CEASE. OVER THE COURSE OF THE PAST 5 YEARS I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO FIVE DIFFERENT REPAIR SHOPS IN AN ATTEMPT TO ISOLATE AND REPAIR THE PROBLEM. ONLY WHEN I MOVED TO GERMANY (CURRENT ASSIGNMENT IN THE USAF) DID A GERMAN MECHANIC DISCOVERED THE PROBLEM; WORN RACK AND PINION STEERING GEAR BUSHING WHICH ARE ALLOWING THE ENTIRE UNIT TO SHIFT LEFT AND RIGHT WHENEVER THE STEERINGWHEEL IS MOVED. OVER THE PAST FIVE YEARS I'VE LIVED WITH THIS PROBLEM, I'VE NOTICED A CONTINUED DEGREDATION IS STEERING CRISPNESS AND INCREASE NOISE AS...

PROBLEMS WITH MY DODGE INTREPID: AT 75000 MILES I HAD TO REPLACE THE RACK AND PINION STEERING, THEN I HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE BOLTS THAT CONNECT THE RACK AND PINION TO THE STEERING BACKING OUT AND IT ACTUALLY FELL OUT AND ONE WHEEL WAS STRAIT AND THE OTHER WAS TURNED. LUCKILLY I WAS AT A STOP SIGN GETTING READY TURN .HAD TO HAVE TOWED HOME. FOUND OUT THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING SAME PROBLEM. AT 80000 MILES WHICH HAS BEEN A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD CAR AUTOMATICALLY SHIFT INTO LOW ONE. DOES THIS A COUPLE OF TIMES. HAD NEW FILTER AND FLUID REPLACED. EVEN WORSE NOW. FIND OUT THAT THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE HAVING SAME PROBLEM. FIND OUT THAT DODGE AND CHRYSLER LH WITH 42LE AUTOMATIC TRANS ARE DEFECTIVE. THEY HAVE USED THESE TRANS FROM 1994 TO PRESENT AND THEY FAIL. I COULD BELIEVE IT. CHRYSLER EVEN...

WHILE DRIVING THE RACK AND PINION BOLTS BECAME LOOSE AND CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE STEERING. *NLM

EXCESSIVE RACK AND PINION STEERING NOISE ESPECIALLY IN COLD WEATHER, RACK AND PINION MOUNTING BOLT BUSHINGS ALMOST COMPLETELY GONE. CAR HAS SEVERE STEERING SHIFTING WHEN ROUNDING CORNERS OR CURVES. DIAGNOSES REQUIRES NEW RACK AND PINION REPLACEMENT.

FIRST TO GO WAS THE BRAKES AND ROTORS, THEN THE RACK AND PINION SYSTEM. NEXT WAS THE TRANSMISSION AND NOW THE DIFFENTAIL AND TIE RODS. DT

CONSUMER STATES THAT VEHICLE'S STEERING WHEEL WAS WANDERING EXCESSIVELY RESULTING IN LOSS OF COMPLETE CONTROL. PROBLEM WAS PROGRESSIVELY GETTING WORSE UNTIL RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY FAILED WHILE DRIVING. TS

NO DESCRIPTION GIVEN. NLM

I AM SUBMITTING A COMPLAINT ABOUT DEFICIENCIES IN THE DURABILITY OF THE INNER TIE ROD BUSHINGS AND RACK AND PINION STEERING BUSHINGS ON A 1996 DODGE INTREPID, VIN [XXX]. PREMATURE WEAR OUT OF THESE ITEMS ARE A SAFETY CONCERN. ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, IT FELT LIKE I WAS LOSING CONTROL OF THE STEERING ON THE CAR. SOME OF THOSE OCCASIONS OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING ACROSS AN UNEVEN, WASHBOARD TYPE ASPHALT ROAD SURFACE. OTHER OCCASIONS WERE ON A SMOOTH CONCRETE OR ASPHALT ROAD. ON ALL OCCASIONS, I HAD TO SLOW DOWN CONSIDERABLY TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE CAR. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE INNER TIE ROD BUSHINGS TWICE, ONCE IN MARCH OF 1999 AT 49,818 MILES AND AGAIN IN AUGUST OF 2002 AT 89,404 MILES. THE RACK AND PINION STEERING BUSHINGS WERE ALSO REPLACED DURING THE AUGUST, 2002 REPAIR. NONE OF THESE PARTS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED NORMAL MAINTENANCE ITEMS. TOTAL REPAIRS HAVE...

BUSHINGS IN RACK AND PINION SYSTEM ALONG WITH TIE RODS FAILED RESULTING IN VEHICLE WOBBLING SEVERELY. DEALER STATES THAT THIS IS COMMON FOR THOSE VEHICLES. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS

WHEN MAKING TURNS THERE IS A CREAKING SOUND COMING FROM FRONT OF VEHICLE, MOSTLY AFTER FIRST START. MECHANIC STATED RACK AND PINION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*AK

WHILE TURNING VEHICLE TO RIGHT IT KEPT GOING STRAIGHT. DRIVER TOOK VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC, AND THEY STATED THAT RACK AND PINION STEERING HAD DISINTEGRATED. MECHANIC REPLACED RACK AND PINION AND TIE RODS. *AK

STEERING WHEEL MAKES A GRINDING NOISE WHILE TURNING VEHICLE, DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM, RACK PINION FAILURE CAUSED VEHICLE TO RUN OFF THE ROAD.*AK *SLC

THE FAILURE COMPONENT IS THE STEERING RACK ASSEMBLY. THE FAILURE INDICATION WAS A CLUNKING SOUND, HEARD WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS COLD (UNDER 40F.). ONCE THE VEHICLE/STEERING WARMS UP, THE CLUNKING NOISE GOES AWAY. APPARENTLY, FROM READING OTHER REPORTS, THE CLUNKING SOUND IS THE PRECURSOR TO TOTAL STEERING FAILURE. IN MY CASE, I AM HAVING THE DEALER REPLACE THE ASSEMBLY AT A COST OF APPROXIMATELY $1200. THIS IS A VERY BASIC COMPONENT, WHICH SHOULD NOT FAIL DURING THE NORMAL COURSE OF VEHICLE OWNERSHIP. I AM ATTEMPTING TO HAVE DAMLER/CHRYSLER EITHER COVER THE COST OF FAILURE UP FRONT, OR REIMBURSE ME FOR THE REPAIR. SO FAR, THE DEALER HAS INDICATED TO ME THAT THE FAILURE IS NOT COVERED BY ANY WARRANTY PROCESS. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE COVERED BY THE MANUFACTURER. LOSS OF LIFE COULD OCCUR IF THE STEERING FAILS.*AK

TWO BOLTS SHEARED OFF BRACKET IN RACK AND PINION, CAUSING A LOSS OF STEERING. CONTACTED CHRYSLER, AND CHRYSLER WILL OPEN A FILE OUT ON THE PROBLEM. BUT, VEHICLE HAS TOO MANY MILES, AND NO WARRANTY/ RECALL. *AK

STEERING RACK ASSEMBLY SWAYS FROM SIDE TO SIDE MAKING THE VEHICLE GO OUT OF CONTROL. CAUSE IS POORLY DESIGNED STEERING RACK ASSEMBLY THAT CAUSES STRESS ON STEERING RACK BUSHINGS MAKING THEM FAIL PREMATURELY. BUSHINGS HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE. PROBLEM RE-OCCURED A YEAR AFTER FIRST REPLACEMENT. INNER TIE ROD BUSHINGS ARE AFFECTED BY THIS PROBLEM.*AK

STEERING RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY SWAYS FROM SIDE TO SIDE MAKING THE VEHICLE GO OUT OF CONTROL. CAUSE IS POORLY DESIGNED STEERING RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY THAT CAUSES STRESS ON STEERING RACK BUSHINGS MAKING THEM FAIL PREMATURELY. BUSHINGS HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE. PROBLEM RE-OCCURED A YEAR AFTER FIRST REPLACEMENT. INNER TIE ROD BUSHINGS ARE AFFECTED BY THIS PROBLEM.*AK

WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, BOLTS IN RACK AND PINION STEERING BROKE, RESULTING IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO STOP VEHICLE WITHOUT INCIDENT. A PRIVATE REPAIR SHOP DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / ATTACHMENTS. *NOTE: PARTS AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION.*AK

THE RUBBER BUSHINGS (UNDER THE BOLTS) THAT CONNECT THE RACK AND PINION TO THE CHASSIS OF THE AUTOMOBILE ERODED AND DISINTEGRATED MAKING THE BOLTS LOOSE AND RENDERING THE RACK AND PINION TO BECOME VERY LOOSE. THE BOLTS COULD HAVE BROKEN OR SNAPPED OFF AND THE ENTIRE RACK AND PINION COULD HAVE FALLEN OFF, MAYBE AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED CAUSING A MAJOR ACCIDENT. THE RACK AND PINION IS NOW DAMAGED AND WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED.*AK

RACK AND PINION STEERING BROKE WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED, AND MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.*AK

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY ANY SPEED STEERING WHEEL WOULD SHAKE AND HAD TOO MUCH PLAY. VEHICLE TAKEN TO DEALER, STEERING RACK AND PINION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*AK *SLC

STEERING GETS LOOSE AND MAKING A CLUNKING NOISE. OVER BUMPS VEHICLE MOVES AROUND ALOT. CONSUMER HAS REPAIRED RACK AND PINION A TOTAL OF 3 TIMES. DRIVER'S SIDE IS THE MOST RECENT. MEHANIC HAS SEEN5 DIFFERENT VEHICLES IN THE PAST FEW MONTHS.*AK

RACK & PINION ARE MAJOR PROBLEM WHICH I NEED MANUFACTURER TO CONSIDER LOOKING INTO DONT HAVE THE MONEY FOR THE CAR A WEEK AFTER I BOUGHT IT STARTED FALLING APART SUSPENSION WAS LOSE CAR IS A COMPLETE DANGER ZONE. *AK

WAS BACKING OUT OF PARKING SPOT WHEN I FELT A SMALL THUMP. LOST ALL STEERING CAPABILITY. DEALER SALVAGED RACK AND PINION (SAID BOLTS HOLDING IT TO FIREWALL COMPLETELY SHEERED OFF...I LEFT INSTRUCTIONS TO SAVE THE PART BUT OF COURSE, THE PARTS DISAPEARED.) DEALER ALSO REFUSED TO LET VEHICLE LEAVE WITHOUT NEW TIE RODS AND CONTROL LINKAGES WHICH THEY SAID WERE DAMAGED (COULD BE TRUE.) MY BROTHER IS A MECHANIC WITH OVER 25 YEARS IN THE BUSINESS AND HAS NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS BEFORE. I'VE LOST CONFIDENCE IN MY ABILITY TO KEEP THIS VEHICLE RUNNING SAFELY, REGADLESS OF HOW MUCH MONEY GETS SINKED INTO IT. CAN YOU IMAGINE DRIVING AT 55MPH ON A SLOW RIGHT HAND CURVE AND THIS ITEM FAILING, SENDING YOU INTO ON-COMING TRAFFIC? KIDS IN THE CAR?*AK

DEFECTIVE PART UNABLE TO BE FIXED UPON COMPLAINTS TO DEALERSHIP AS THERE WERE NO LEAKS UNTIL IT WENT COMPLETELY OUT. SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN! NO SAFETY DEFECT. *AK

WHEN FIRST STARTING VEHICLE AND TURNING WHEELS THERE IS A LOUD SCRAPING SOUND COMING FROM FRONT END. ALSO, STEERING RACK AND PINION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *AK

STEERING WHEEL BECAME HARD TO TURN AT SLOW SPEED (5 MPH) AND WOULD NOT TURN AT ALL WHEN VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP. *AK

WHEN IT WAS COLD OUT WE HEARD A CHUNK NOISE FROM THE FRONT UNDER THE CAR WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED IN EITHER DIRECTION . THIS WENT AWAY WHEN IT WARMED UP IN ABOUT 5 MINUTES. WE TOOK I T TO THE DEALER AND HE TOLD US IT WAS THE RACK AND PINION AND IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. WE DID NOT BELEIVE THAT THIS WAS AN ITEM THAT SHOULD EVER HAVE TO BE REPLACED ,ESPECAILLY AT $1300, SO WE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND WE RECEIVED A LETTER TELLING US THEY COULD NOT HELP BECAUSE IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. I ASKED A SALESMAN HOW COULD A 4 YEAR OLD CAR HAVE TO HAVE THE RACK AND PINION REPLACED AND HE TOLD ME IT WAS QUITE COMMON.*AK

CONSUMER STATES THAT A POPPING NOISE COULD BE HEARD WHILE TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL, THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES, HOWEVER NO PROBLEMS WERE FOUND, NOW THAT THE VEHICLE HAS 24000 MILES ON AND IS OUT OF WARRANTY, THE DEALER IS STATING THAT THE RACK AND PINION STEERING NEEDS REPLACED. *SLC

THE TWO INNER TIE ROD BOLTS SHEERED AT THE STEERING GEAR SIDE OF THE TIE RODS, CAUSING TOTAL STEERING CONTROL LOSS OF THE VEHICLE, THE BOLTS WERE REMOVED AND REPLACED, THE ORIGINAL RACK ASSEMBLY WAS ALSO REPLACED. *SLC

RACK AND PINION STEERING WAS MAKING NOISE. THEN, TOOK VEHICLE TO REPAIR SHOP AND IT WAS REPAIRED.*AK

RACK & PINION: WHEN STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED BACK AND FORTH A LOUD METALLIC NOISE IS HEARD. DEALER SAYS THE WHOLE RACK AND PINION MUST BE REPLACED. MANY TSBS ON YOU SITE. TRANSMISSION (AUTOMATIC) WHEN IT SHIFTS GEARS THERE IS A SHUTTER. AGAIN MANY TSBS ON YOUR SITE. I SPOKE TO THE REPS AT DIAMLER , THEY WILL RECORD MY COMPLAIT. MEANWHILE DEALER SAID APPROX. $4000 TO REPAIR ALL.*AK

THERE WAS A THUNK NOISE UNDER CAR THAT CONSUMER COULD HEAR THROUGH STEERING. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY SAID IT WAS A BUSHING IN THE RACK AND PINION STEERING. *AK

IN COLD WEATHER (UNDER 40 F) AFTER THE FIRST COUPLE OF YEARS THE STEERING MAKES LOUD BANGING NOISES WHEN WHEELS ARE TURNED FOR THE FIRST 10 MINUTES AFTER STARTUP. CAUSE: RACK & PINION BUSHINGS DRY OUT. ULTIMATE RISK: STEERING WILL LOOSEN OVER TIME. CURE: ON 1996 MODEL ONLY, BUSHINGS ARE NOT REPLACEABLE. ENTIRE RACK MUST BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $1200. POOR DESIGN MEANS 1) POTENTIAL FOR STEERING FAILURE 2) WARM-WEATHER DRIVERS WON'T HAVE ANY WARNING 3) PRICE DISCOURAGES REPAIR. THIS COULD TURN INTO A PROBLEM AS THESE CARS AGE. *AK

THE RUBBER BUSHINGS THAT HOLD THE RACK AND PINION POWER STEERING TO THE FRAME HAVE WORN OUT AND THIS MAKES THE STEERING OF THE CAR EXTREMELY LOOSE, (EXCESSIVE PLAY). I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE REPAIR COSTS BETWEEN $800.00 AND $1000.00. *AK

NO SUMMARY

THE FRONT TIE RODS AND THE BUSHINGS IN THE RACK AND PINION FAILED. THE STEERING AT FIRST BECAME VERY SLUGGISH AND THEN THE STEERING WHEEL GOT TO WHERE IT WOULD NOT RETURN TO CENTER. IT GOT SO BAD THAT IT WOULD NOT TRIGGER THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH. WE FIRST HAD THE TIE RODS REPLACED AND THE CAR ALIGNED BUT THAT DID NOT TAKE CARE OF THE PROBLEM. WE CONTACTED SEVERAL REPAIR SHOPS AND THEN WERE TOLD THAT THE ENTIRE RACK ASSEMBLY WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. WE CONTACTED CHAMPION CHRYSLER IN INDEPENDENCE, MO AND WERE TOLD THAT THERE WAS AN "UPGRADE KIT" AVAILABLE TO REPLACE THE BUSHINGS IN THE RACK. WE PURCHASED THE KIT BUT NO ONE WOULD TAKE ON THE REPAIR OTHER THAN THE DEALER, SO WE WERE FORCED TO HAVE IT REPAIRED BY THE DEALER.*AK

LOSS OF STEERING DUE TO POORLY DESIGNED RACK AND PINION BUSHINGS THAT MOUNT THE ASSEMBLY TO THE CHASSIS, 90 DEGREES OF EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF PLAY IN THE STEERING CAUSING .CRASHED INTO THE A HILL SIDE AT 15 MILES PERHOUR.VEHICLE IS IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE IN A STRAIGHT LINE, EXCESSIVE WEAR ON TIRES.MOST IMPORTANT, POSSIBLE LIFE THREATING DEFECT.VEHICLE HAD THIS SINCE I BOUGHT IT,NOT AS BAD BUT GRADUALLY DETERIORATED WITH TIME.$1500 TO REPAIR, THE BUSHINGS CANNOT BE REPLACED SINCE THEY ARE PRESSING INTO THE ASSEMBLY. PLEASE ADVISE!!!*AK

CONSUMER WAS TURNING INTO DRIVEWAY & RACK AND PINION STEERING BROKE . DEALER REPAIRED IT, BUT WASN'T SURE WHY IT HAPPENED. *AK

REPORTED TO DEALERSHIP THAT THEREE WS EXCESSIVE PLAY IN STEERING WHEEL. THEY REPLACED THE INNER TIE ROD BUSHINGS IN NOVEMBER OF 1999 AT A COST OF $300. SIXTEEN THOUSAND MILES AND 7 MONTHS LATER THE SAME PROBLEM HAS OCCURED. THEY SAY THEIR SERVICE WARRANTY IS ONLY 12 MONTHS OR 12 THOUSAND MILES. I AM NOW FACED WITH ANOTHER REPAIR BILL. ALSO MY CRUISE CONTROL HAS QUIT WORKING. IT WOULD CUT OFF OR PICK UP SPEED THEN ONE DAY JUST QUIT WORKING TOTALLY. I DONT KNOW ABOUT THE CRUISE CONTROL BUT I THINK THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE FRONT END OF THESE INTREPIDS THAT THEY DIDNT CORRECT WHEN THEY REPLACED THE BUSHINGS.*AK

BUSHINGS ON RACK AND PINON GONE CAR MAKES LOUD NOISE WHEN WHEEL TURNED FOR SHARP TURNS. *AK

CONSUMER HEARD NOISE UNDER HOOD & WENT TO THE DEALER. DEALER INDICATED THAT THE WHOLE RACK & PINION HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE IT COMES AS A UNIT AND WAS CAUSED BY SOME OF BUSHINGS BEING WORN OUT. CONSUMER HAS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THE VEHICLE, BUT REPLACEMENT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. DEALER FINALLY AGREED TO HAVE REPLACEMENT DONE AND TO PAY FOR PART OF THE COST. *AK *ML

EA99031, STEERING RACK AND PINION AND INNER TIE ROD BROKE, WHICH COULD CAUSE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. COMMON PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

MY PROBLEM STARTED OUT WITH THE STEERING MAKING A POPPING NOISE WHEN TURNING TO THE LEFT. THIS PROBLEM HAD WORSENED TO A POINT WHERE THE STEERING WOULD LOCK UP AT A CERTAIN POSITION WHILE TURNING LEFT. IT GRADUALLY PROGRESSED TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE AND ALSO STARTED TO BE A PROBLEM WHEN TURNING RIGHT. NOW THIS PROBLEM IS SO BAD MY WIFE REFUSES TO DRIVE THE CAR AT ALL, ESPECIALLY IF THE CHILDREN ARE IN THE VEHICLE. I HAD JUST NOTICED RECENTLY THAT THE MIDDLE PORTION OF THE GEAR RACK, WHERE THE TIE RODS CONNECT, IS VERY LOOSE. IT ALMOST SEEMS THAT THE RACK MAY BE BROKEN AT THAT AREA. THE CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENT AT ALL. IT IS OBVIOUS TO ME THAT THIS PART IS DEFECTIVE, AND MAY BE A HAZARD TO THE VEHICLE OCUPANTS AS WELL AS PEOPLE IN OTHER VEHICLES. THIS DEFECT HAS THE...

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED ON ROUGH ROAD OR HITTING A SMALL BUMP, FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE RATTLED. WHEN VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, OWNER WAS TOLD THAT STEERING RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY,AND INNER TIE ROD ENDS WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE OF BAD BUSHINGS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

RACK & PINION STEERING & BUSHINGS WERE CHANGED APPROXIMATELY 13 MONTHS AGO. NOW PROBLEM HAS RETURNED. RACK & PINION STEERING/INNER TIE ROD ENDS ARE WEARING EXCESSIVELY. THIS CAUSES VEHICLE TO BE EITHER THROWN TO THE LEFT OR TO THE RIGHT, IF CUTS OR DEEP CRACKS ARE IN THE ROAD. WILL BE TAKING VEHICLE BACK TO DEALERSHIP TO CHECK. *AK

RUBBER BUSHINGS IN STEERING RACK AND PINION GEAR DETERIORATED PREMATURELY CAUSING SLOPPY STEERING.

WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH OUT OF A PARKING LOT STEERING RACK AND PINION BROKE, CAUSING NO STEERING CONTROL. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK