No steering feel with new rack

[sil3nt611]

I replaced the steering rack in my 2001 B3000 a month ago or so with a brand new rack, not a remanufactured unit. The steering had play in it between the bad rack and the worn tie rods, but it had feel to it. I had some feedback at the steering wheel. After replacing with the new rack there is much less play, but the steering feel went to nearly non existent. I can turn my steering wheel with my pinky, that's how little resistance there is. Maybe some of you wouldn't mind, and I know it's a truck, but it drives me nuts. Is there any way to adjust the rack to give a bit more feel to it? I know it's a hydraulic assist rack, but I've had hydraulic assist racks in all my other cars that had some resistance feel to it, and even my electric assist steering Fiesta ST has feel to it. I got a 4 wheel alignment right after I replaced the rack. The intermediate shaft does introduce a bit of play and needs replacement eventually, but it was there before the rack replacement. And like I said, the old rack had more feel. The fluid was replaced and I put in the correct fluid as far as what my research said at that time. I can't remember off hand what it is, but I can check the bottle if needed when I get home.

This is the only thread I found based on adjusting the rack, but is this adjusting play or feel?
https://www.therangerstation.com/forums/index.php?threads/please-sticky-how-to-adjust-power-steering-gearbox.137250/

After much online searching that is the only thing I have found.

 

[ericbphoto]

Only adjustment I know of is for play. When you are talking about the “feel”, are you testing this with the wheels on the ground and full weight of the vehicle on the wheels?
The amount of weight on the wheels will affect the turning resistance. Also, bigger wider tires will have a bigger contact patch with the ground, therefore more resistance when turning the wheel.

 

[sil3nt611]

Only adjustment I know of is for play. When you are talking about the “feel”, are you testing this with the wheels on the ground and full weight of the vehicle on the wheels?
The amount of weight on the wheels will affect the turning resistance. Also, bigger wider tires will have a bigger contact patch with the ground, therefore more resistance when turning the wheel.

Yes. It's had the new rack in for over a month and I've driven it a couple hundred miles. Wheels on the ground. Nothing else changed but the rack and tie rods and it feels like there's almost no resistance at all with the new stuff but I had a little bit of feedback with the previous rack. I guess it could be a difference in the racks or resistance due to failing components that I felt that is no longer present.

 

[Dirtman]

Get bigger tires...

 

[ericbphoto]

Only other thing that comes to mind would be if the oil pressure from the pump somehow magically increased.

Not likely.

 

[Dirtman]

Seriously though, 98+ rangers just have light steering. I can drive my 09 with one finger, they just dont have tight sportscar steering. If it's not leaking or making noise its fine and most likely your just not use to it being fully functional again.

 

[55trucker]

You're positive that the rack you were given is the correct rack for the application?
There is an EV rack, the EV's were much heavier than the engine powertrain Rangers (4,000 lbs.) vs the 3200 for the standard cab 2wd versions, those EV racks provided more assist.

 

[8thTon]

I would look at the alignment numbers, those can have huge impact on steering fee/resistance/effort. Just 'cause you paid someone to do it doesn't mean it was done right.

 

[adsm08]

The article you found was an adjustment for play. It also wasn't for a steering rack, it was for a recirculating ball gear box. The relationship there is something akin to an adle-adle vs a M-16. They both do roughly the same job, but the are not even remotely the same thing.

There is no adjustment for feel, or anything else, on a rack and pinion.

 

[Dirtman]

Its atlatl...

 

[adsm08]

Its atlatl...

There are multiple accepted spellings.

 

[Dirtman]

There are multiple accepted spellings.

I'LL SPELL YOUR FACE!

 

[adsm08]

I'LL SPELL YOUR FACE!

I see that.

 

[sil3nt611]

This is the rack I purchased. https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=10116600&cc=1373992&jsn=1

Fair enough, thanks for the help. If there's no adjustment for feel I guess I'll just get used to it.

I do need to get a replacement lower half shaft at some point to get rid of the last bit of slop in the steering. Maybe that will improve it for me a bit more. Pretty sure this is the part, is there a cheaper option? Most anywhere online that I can find it isn't really less than $200. If not I guess I'll suck it up and spend the money. The boot on mine is torn and there's definite slop at the joint.
https://www.tascaparts.com/oem-parts/ford-lower-shaft-and-joint-assembly-8l5z3b676b?origin=pla&gclid=Cj0KCQjwsYb0BRCOARIsAHbLPhHxMiy_IKIJA1FzQmXJ3cO693MTkO7D5jgcU_o4DpT9U42kgNJM2hQaAjRgEALw_wcB

 

[funguy26]

the no feel feed back is ok my ranger has the same thing going on to.