(yes i actually do have rack & pinion steering. i understand this is very rare.)
even when the truck was brand new, there was a decent amount of play when you twist the drive shaft (engine off). with the engine on, however, there is very little play...twist the drive shaft just a tiny tiny bit and the wheels move. the problem is, whenever i get an inspection, they do it with the engine off and i always get the weird dirty looks and i have to explain that it will help to turn on the engine.
can someone please explain why there is such a difference? is it supposed to be this way? with gearbox steering (which i do not have) is there any difference between engine on and off?
rack & pinion seems loose when engine is off??
Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by pbrstreetgang, Aug 2, 2020.
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I would guess that the slack in the steering is the hydraulic valve for the power assist opening to allow flow to either end of the rack.
Could you post a picture of the steering gear and what make of truck?
I have been a truck mechanic for over 40 years and I have never seen a rack and pinion gear in a truck.pbrstreetgang Thanks this. -
btw what happens in a normal gearbox-steering truck when you twist the steering shaft (and does it make a difference with engine on, and with engine off?)? -
The Rack and Pinion Steering - How Cars Work
What is rack and pinion steering? -
The steering input shaft in a normal steering gear is made in three pieces an upper and lower shaft that has an internal torsion bar that allows the top shaft to turn separate of the lower shaft allowing the top shaft to operate a hydraulic valve controlling the flow to either end of the rack piston. There will always be some free movement with the engine stopped.
spsauerland and pbrstreetgang Thank this. -
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I had a 2009 cascadia after 3 racks they put a upgraded one in it on warranty .. many trucks were converted to normal steering due to the high rack failure. Btw the mechanic told me not to turn as sharp because the rack has higher side pressure on it the sharper you turn .
speedyk and pbrstreetgang Thank this. -
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2 blew out the end seal one got very loose.. the upgraded one was more beefy and seemed fine after 3 years .
speedyk and pbrstreetgang Thank this. -
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