steering issues

[surfvan]

so I have some play in the steering... i can move both tires slightly without moving the rack and pinion... the outer tie rods seem fine but the guy at les shwabb said its probley the inner tie rod. I got a complete donor rack and pinion thats in good shape. it looks like the inner tie rod can be removed from the rack but theres nothing in my book... My question is can i remove the inner tie rod along with the outter and swap onto my van without replacing the whole rack? or does it sound like a steering gear problem in the rack itself since both tires can be wiggled... i know the previous owner wheeled the van offroad alot. whats the possibility both inner tie rods are bad?

[surfvan]

now looking at parts numbers it looks like the 89 rack i took off the donor (4wd) is different from my 87 4wd?!? can i swap the whole rack or what? whats different?

[timsrv]

Finding the place where the play is shouldn't be too hard. You should determine this before swapping parts around. I'm a bit surprised Schwab couldn't figure that out for you. Have one person wiggle the steering wheel back and forth while you check underneath for play. I know the racks are different from 87-89 but not sure what the differences are as I've never had trouble with a rack or inner tie rods before (knock on wood). Tim

[Qasual]

Finding the place where the play is shouldn't be too hard. You should determine this before swapping parts around. I'm a bit surprised Schwab couldn't figure that out for you. Have one person wiggle the steering wheel back and forth while you check underneath for play. I know the racks are different from 87-89 but not sure what the differences are as I've never had trouble with a rack or inner tie rods before (knock on wood). Tim
I always done it with the tire, than feel or visually see underneath for what loose or making that "thunk" ... feel ?

[surfvan]

its definately the rack end or the pinion to rack is sloppy... i guess ill just try swapping the whole rack and let you all know what happens

[EZHIKER]

After 20+ years Crusty old seized up tie rods are the norm. It may take a couple of days of penetrating lube soaking the threads and a large breaker bar to make them adjustable or just to remove for replacement. Hopefully that is enough. Much easier on a lift. Some torch heat may be necessary as a last resort. Just warning of the potential complications. It is never so easy on these old beasts.

If the mounting positions are the same it should be a direct swap. The front end on 89's were indeed upgraded.

[surfvan]

its def not the tie rod... its either the inner or something in the rack... ill pull back the boots and look...

[surfvan]

it was the inner tie rod and i had a newwish 89 rack and pinion so... it fits, everythings the same plus i got to upgrade to the beefier inner/outter tie rods:yes:

[spacecruisers]

what do you mean beefier? are you saying the tie rods in 89's beefier than the 87's?