Re: Rack and Pinion Question
Usually a front end alignment won't cause a shake. It will cause a pull to one side or the other. It can cause it to shake but not as a rule. Most shakes are caused by worn or out of balance wheels and tires. A good way to tell the alignment is tire wear. <br />The shaking or vibrating when she speeds up is probably not alignment or tires. If it ONLY does it when speeding up, it may be driveline.If it is front wheel drive it is probably a CV joint or universal joint. Possibly tranny wear. Often I see mechanics replace steering racks or front drive shafts axles etc when a boot is cracked or torn. This is not necessary. The boots are kind of expensive, but don't as a rule cause further problems. Steering racks will usually bind as someone else said. When it is cold, as you turn the steering wheel slowly to one side, sometimes both sides, it will have a stiff spot. You will feel a catch, then the wheel will turn normal. <br />A lot of mechanics, especially at those assembly line places like pep boys will make a mistake in their terminology. I have seen people calling tie rod ends struts and other things like that. Find a mechanic who can check the entire front end. Most will do a free inspection with the hopes they can fix the problems. <br />The price is about right for a steering rack, but make sure the rack is really bad. It is often mis-diagnosed.
.<br /><br />Some racks interface with the ECU (variatronic), big bucks to rebuild! Depends what you have.<br /><br />Aldo
