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Skid and jutter after Steering Rack Replacment

307 views 2 replies 2 participants last post by  2004 Armada  
#1 ·
I had the power steering rack replaced and now my steering wheel is about 180 degrees off to make wheels straight. When car gets to about 25 mph the "Skid" light comes on and the car makes a horrible grinding sound from somewhere in the front. It sounds from other internet sources that the steering wheel sensor and the wheels are so off that the car thinks it's skidding and tries to correct it by applying abs. The shop says it's "alignment" but no alighnment tuning issue on earth has the steering wheel basically upside-down when going straight.

Does anyone have any diagnosis on this? I'm gathering that they did not have the power steering rack input "centered" and/or the steering wheel was moved when they installed the rack.

What is the "fix" for this?
 
#2 ·
Either one or even both of those mistakes could be causing all those issues with your steering.
It sounds like the shop who did the work is refusing to acknowledge their mistake(s). Either find another shop or DIY.

Since you already know the position of the steering wheel and how many revolutions either left or right to keep the wheels and the truck running straight, here's a DIY that can at least, correct the steering wheel position. Best if you can get someone to help you out because they'll need to hold the steering wheel at its current, upside-down/straight position while doing this DIY. Jack up the front end and look at the input shaft of the steering rack. Attached to it is the female-splined end of the lower intermediate shaft; a 10mm socket or wrench to remove the bolt clamping that end. With the bolt removed and making sure the extra set of hands is keeping the steering wheel in place, you're going to have to slide that end off the input shaft. If it's not sliding off easily, you'll need to give it a couple taps from the bottom end and that should loosen it up. Once the end of the lower intermediate shaft is removed, you can turn the steering wheel to its proper 12 o'clock position. Make sure the extra set of hands keeps the steering wheel in place and reinstall the lower intermediate shaft back onto the input shaft of the steering rack. It won't be 100% perfect but leave the rest to a reputable alignment shop to dial it in.
 
#3 ·
Thanks - I also called the Nissan dealer here. They kind of said the same thing. They said they doubt there is enough adjustment in the alignment to turn the wheels to correct a 180 or 90 degree steering wheel "off" That would mean left wheel would have to say go left a whole bunch and the right wheel go left an equal amount - so if you could even get the wheel straight by maxing out wheel alignment they would be maxed out adjustments.