Hello everyone, I have an issue replaced the rack and pinion on my 2003 explorer before I started i set the steering wheel to center but it would not lock there (locks at the mid point of center and upside down) but wheels are straight. So i tied it so it was centered.
new rack was centered by doing the line and turning lock to lock then turning back to the middle of those lines.
The new rack everything lines up but the inner tie rod on the driver side seems longer than the old one and measures out longer, so much so that i cannot put the outer tie rod end to the same settings as it was when i took it off .
got it all back together tested it and holding the wheel straight the front end of the vehicle goes to one side and then back again by itself kind of sharply.
Checked back with the parts store 2 times told them about the inner tie rods made measurements etc, and they said everything should line up it is the correct part and all.
should i drop it again and redo it all ?
should i cut down the inner tie rod so i can get it back to the same length as the old one?
what about the steering linkage should i lock the steering column sideways tie it down and then disconnect it then turn the pinion to hook it back up ?
as you can see i really have an issue and not sure what to do from here
Signed frustrated and really need help or a new vehicle
thanks everyone

 

Before you installed the replacement rack you should have verified they were identical. Right then and there you would have noticed the difference and should have taken both back to the store and obtained the right one. It sounds like you received the wrong part. Can we ask where you purchased it?

 

yes sir I agree you are correct i looked at them both but did not take measurements etc. To me they looked the same I should have checked closer I got it at AAP . I am thinking on dropping it again and comparing the two and then taking it to the parts store who swears up and down it is the only showing for my vehicle
the only thing that doesn't line up correctly is the inner tie rods everything else lined up good

 

I just checked several web sites and they all have the same part number i also checked the manufacturer of the one i have and it shows the same oem part number, the only thing i can think of either its not the one that came in the box or I am definitely doing something wrong (probably the case)

 

The part number may be correct, but this would not be the first time the incorrect part was placed in the wrong box.

If,,,,,,,,,,,,,there was never any damage done to the steering linkage on your vehicle,only very slight adjustments might be required.
Even if you installed the other side tie rod first the length of the ends should not be off . The worst it would show would be the wheels in the straight ahead position might be slightly turned inward or outward. Called "Toe in or Toe out". That is corrected by adjusting the lengths of the tie rod ends.
We always center the rack position so it corresponds with the center of the steering wheel travel which is critical so as to not damage the internal clock spring which can cause addl electrical problems with any steering wheel controls, or air bag operation.if broken.
Good practice always recommends toe in or toe out alignment when the job is completed. If off the slightest bit , it can affect tire wear, and if pretty much can destroy tire(s) quickly.

 

Thank you Hanky, i guess my biggest question is this, i had the steering wheel in the straight position and the tires were straight but the wheel not locked into postion so i tied it real tight to not move, the new rack and pinion i centered it then installed. Should I reinstall it with the steering locked ( like I said if i lock the steering wheel it is not in the middle but sideways. and should i turn the shaft on the rack and pinion to hook up to the linkage ? the other part about the tie rod end i will keep trying to figure out till i can get it right

 

here is the part number i have of the new rack 22-267 cardone part. all the sites i checked say this is the one i even checked it by vin since i have the k series motor. i have had the vehicle for 15 years and done pretty much everything myself that needed done so there has never been any damage to it. i will see if i can find a number on the rack and pinion when i get home today just to be sure and reference it on line somehow just for giggles. Just still wondering about that steering wheel and linkage don't want to break the clock spring that's why i tied it down but is that gonna work or should i lock it

 

If the steering wheel was centered and held there and the rack was centered , the remaining part is to adjust the ends so they go into the steering arms at the wheels.
If there are multiple adjustments required, you will notice the steering wheel will not be in the correct position for straight ahead driving and the wheels will be pointing in or out.
This would all be corrected by an alignment service. As long as all is tight and safe to drive get it in for alignment before going anyplace else.

 

ok right on thank you again hanky got some work to do after work i will keep you posted thank you for all your help (advice)

 

Hanky just wanted to let you know I got her back up and running and everything looks good and feels good, i do need to do the alignment and some tires but everthing else is good, i ended up taking it back apart and doing it over , I recentered the rack i was actually off, the steering linkage was not all the way down so I tapped it until it seated all the way, and the tie rod ends were the wrong ones the ones they listed for my explorer were bigger and longer so i went to another place and got the right ones put it all back together and it is pretty darn close to being on the money. Just wanted to say thanks for the advice.