you pretty much got it with taking care with the clips.
I recommend getting new boots. The old ones are usually worn and typically tear when you take them off anyway.
Measure everything twice. Mark it all appropriately
good luck

if it is the rack, you don't need a new one, you will just have to have it rebuilt... last I heard, the going rate was like 180 bucks... I haven't ever had it done personally though...

 

Hmmm...where would you have the rebuild done? Locally? Either way...i'm going to get to work. I'll let you know who it goes. Thanks again!!

-Royce

 

Well...I did the repair last night. Sorry no pix. But there was a very small amount of play in the old inner tie-rod ends but nothing crazy, but you could feel them move a little in the socket.

Empire, you could be on to something, because when i popped off the boot on the passenger side of the rack a small amount of fuild was in the boot (less than a 1/4 cup). The other side was fine, but i'm pretty certain the old seals in the rack are starting to fail.

I'm going to replace power steering fluid today and use Lucas oils PS stop leak to test that guarantee. I know thie wont "fix" the problem but it may just buy me some time to ready myself to swallow the $$ rack replacement pill.

 

I'm not sure where/who does the work, but I do know it has been done... Ask around... I'm sure you'll find someone that can/will do it somewhere.
I'd say it would be worth getting the hicus rack all freshened up versus getting a replacement used rack that is just going to end up blowing the seals out sooner or later anyway...

 

Everyone of you guys have given good suggestions and each has help me in one way or another to arrive at the solution(s) need to get the car feeling "right" again.

Empire: I'll def. will source out a rebuild shop to get the HICAS rack refreshed. Its worth the effort. Just need to find stand in for the rack while its getting done.

As it turns out the rack is ok, for now. The Lucas oil stuff did the trick on the seals, but i know its only a band-aid and that it will continue to get worse. The new inner tie-rods help with the numb or vague feeling. Also getting under the car and shaking stuff around, measuring things, helped me spot an issue with the lame a$$ camber bolts I have (i know, i know, I sooo need to get camber plates or upgrade to coilovers) . I adjusted them as best as I could and will take the car to get the front aligned asap.

Any suggestions on where to take the car for an alignment? I've taken it to Tires Plus on Gulf to bay in Clearwater before and they did an alright job...

Thanks again!!

 

that's one of my favorite diagnostic measures.... just shake shit around... you always end up finding something wrong... lol