mk2 alhambra steering rack replacement

[crazygrazy]

Hello all seeking advice once more . My old galaxy came to her end and I got a new alhambra on an 03 plate it has excessive play at steering wheel was told when mot was done the rack was on its way but just passed.  Since then have a loose feeling ,swaying motion from passenger front wheel any help much appreciated as always I bought the haynes bible  but says gotta remove manifold turbo , cross member etc far beyond my skills could it be something else ?

[insanitybeard]

Having taken a quick ganders at the underside of mine I can see no good reason why the manifold/ turbo would need removal in order to replace the rack?! Front subframe maybe but unless there's some totally inaccessible bolt holding the rack to the steering column or a power steering pipe union or something like that, I'm at a loss as to why you'd need to disturb the manifold & turbo to work on the steering rack. Is the rack itself definitely knackered, not just a worn inner tie rod ball joint for example? These can be renewed without having to replace the complete rack, possibly with the rack still in situ as well!

[crazygrazy]

Yes haynes  bible is quite flawed but guess just ford procedures , rack section itself only 3 spanner rating but sends you from chapter to chapter and end up removing half the engine , kept the old gal axy for spares so might try get that one out before mutilating the bammer anyone else had similar problems , had inner tie done for mot thinking suspension or bushes on passenger side many thanks  insanity always appreciated

[Chrispb]

There's no mention in TIS about removing exhaust and turbo only the exhaust hanger rubbers.

Only removing front exhaust section in Haynes not the turbo or manifold.

Seems the crossmember is removed in both

[insanitybeard]

So what is the main issue? A sloppy steering wheel or dodgy handling? When you say it's a swaying motion, what makes you think it's to do with the nearside front wheel?

Imprecise steering could be caused by a number of things such as worn front lower suspension arm bushes, worn front suspension top mounts & bearings, worn inner or outer track rod balljoints, worn lower arm-wheel knuckle balljoint, wheel bearing on it's way out- though it'd have to be pretty bad for a worn wheel bearing to cause sloppy steering! Also anti roll bar bushes or drop link wear, and even the state of the wheel and tyre may have some part to play, is there any damage, buckles etc?

[crazygrazy]

Sorry all been working away , top mount was done for mot and also brand new tyre it feels loose and flappy for example when I put my foot down pulls badly to left and feels like only controlling drivers wheel having to compensate all the time or when over taking has moments of just going where it wants also has bad over and understeer . Was looking at getting a set of wishbones ,droplinks , balljoints new off flea bay for Ã,£110 was this cheap and nasty also found 30mm lowering kit for Ã,£200 which is cheaper than renewing with standard will change top struts whilst doing this any ideas advice much appreciated as always

[crazygrazy]

hello all quick update , have finally today started removing rack from my galaxy all was going swimmingly until...... the last rack bolt in subframe refused to budge and has subsequently rounded off  . Now i have two ideas for this, one is remove crossmember with rack still attached then put on bench and attempt breaking nut . two is trying to break nut at awkward angle while still on car a proper mission. number one being my prefered idea is there any reason i cant take the lot out at same time the last bolt is inside the sub frame so impossible to get at it without socket .Regards previous advice given was correct and at times im a norman who doesnt read manuals to well at times the turbo didnt need to come out  doh . Thanks everybody who has given me confidence in doing these jobs once again you guys are fantastic 

[Mirez]

If you have a welder then you could tack an old socket to what's left of the nut and take it out that way, failing that then yes, remove the subframe as a lump but I warn you now its a heavy beastie

[crazygrazy]

Thanks Mirez, have to be as one lump wouldnt have foggiest with welder only doing work myself as was quoted Ã,£600 by local garage will place some blocks and try easing bit by bit  lowering on jack ? will keep posted with update tomorrow fingers crossed . Thanks for advice again site of saints