2003 Ford Escape
Do I need to remove the R&P unit from the vehicle to make any adjustments to clear up the slack in the R&P, if there are adjustments available? It looks Awfully tight up/down in there?
Thanks

 

Can you see where the slop is coming from? Most of the time it is from the inner tie rod ends which can be replaced ,on car , with special tools , after which an alignment is required..

 

No, I can't see in there especially with the flex boot over the joint. It doesn't sound like the inner tie rod end. When I push and pull the wheel from side to side, I hear a clacking almost like a bouncing from behind the fender just forward of the door. This is exactly the same on both the drivers and passenger's sides.
When someone holds the steering wheel still though, I cannot generate that sound at all. It's like there is slop instead of preload between the rack & pinion gear... but it doesn't make sense to me; it should make that noise with the steering wheel held still too, shouldn't it!???
I have to double check that I flexed the wheel on both sides while steadying the steering wheel; That could make a difference if it has noise on one side and not the other.