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steering gearbox????????

Apr 20, 2009 by jm_922003 | Posted in Maintenance & Repairs

i have a 97 ford taurus recently took car 4 alignment and i was told steering gearbox was loose and bout 2 come off is there another name 4 dat and wat can happen if i keep driving car like dat??????

Should be called a rack and pinion assembley, or just a steering rack. If it is loose externally (mounting) tighten the mount bolts. If it is worn internally, it will need to be rebuilt/replaced to tighten it up. The gears being worn will cause a slight wander in the steering and you will loose responsiveness (that tight feel). As a result it can not be alligned with the looseness in the steering. After prolonged neglect the steering could bind a fail in a hazarous situation.
Two things you never neglect are steering and brakes, just not worth the risk.

Steering Alignment issues - does this sound right?

Oct 03, 2011 by Crazy Cat | Posted in Maintenance & Repairs

I have a old 95 dodge intrepid that i had to replace the tires on about 2 weeks ago. Over the weekend, i put it back into the garage to get a steering alignment because after the new tires, it pulled to the left. After leaving it with them for 9 hours, I came back, and they told me "they did their best, but the gear box has some play in it so it still might pull a little".

When driving home, it felt exactly the same as it did when i dropped it off. I called this AM and talked with the manager and he said there isn't anything more they can do since the "gear box has play", but they refuse to give me my money back since they "did work on the car".

A co-worker thinks this garage (a Firestone) is playing me, and I should take it somewhere else.

I need opinions... can a gearbox "play" affect steering alignment? And if so...what will it take to fix THAT? I really don't have the money to keep trying repair shops until someone fixes it... or at least tells me what really needs to be done without offering excuses.

It absolutely can cause the car to pull and if any part of the suspension or steering has play because its worn out an alignment cant be performed. They should have checked all the necessary parts for play first before doing the alignment, and brought it to your attention. Or at least refused to do it unless the box was replaced. They wont even perform an alignment if your tires are worn unevenly. I would ask why they didnt tell you first about the gear box before the alignment was done.
I would also have the ball joints checked too as this can cause the car to pull as well.

How To Install Adjustable Steering Stoppers On Your Street Rod Car. Part 1

Pete finds the solution. www.swrnc.com or 972-420-1293

2005 DODGE RAM 2500 Sanford, FL

Replaced Wiper Blades Serviced Transfer Case Changed Fluid Replaced Steering Gear Box Alignment Mounted and Balanced 4 New Tires Total Invested ...