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I’ve got a ’93 Mitsubishi Lancer Sedan (called the Mirage in the U.S), which I’ve named Yvette (irrelevant, I know 😛 )
I recenlty discovered that I have got alot of play in the steering especially when it’s at nuetral (facing straight) to the point where I can clearly hear loud clunks when turn the wheel in either direction.
Since i’m a Noob at this car repair stuff, I’ve decided it might be safer to replace the entire rack rather than search for a fix to the current one, and therein lies my dilemma….My car is right hand drive and all I’ve been able to source are Mirage (left hand drive) rack assemblies…
My question is would I be able to use them as I don’t know much about how the racks fit in and if the parts are machined to only go in one way or could I just simply spin it around (so to speak) and it would work just as well. It is the same car just, u know, in right hand drive :S
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Hello Meaty. Please read my post before you shell out $200.00 for a new rack. I would start with looking at the inner and outer tie rods. To inspect, just grab the tie rod by hand and try to pull it in and out of the rack. If there is any play or popping noise, I would suspect the inner tie rods. Next, inspect the outer tie rods for leaking grease and/or a damaged rubber boot. When I replace the inner tie rods, I always replace the outers also. I know this is not also nessissary but will save you from messing around with this repair twice. You will also need a front end alignment after this repair is completed. Here is Eric’s video on replacing inner tie rod ends:
Hey aaron.
I actually had the outer tie rods replaced a few months ago, but have to admit that I neglected the inners. Then again I haven’t gotten around to having it alligned yet either. :sIt definitely couldn’t hurt as they are cheap enough and probably will have to be done in the near future anyway.
I just figured the kind of noise I was hearing by simply wiggling the steering wheel was just too much to be the tie rods, it really sounds bad. I will try to make a video of it when I’m home and get u guy’s opinion.
I drive an ’03 Lancer Evolution. I assume the rack is the same – maybe a different ratio. Anyway, an Evolution needing a rack replacement is almost unheard of. Cars needing inner and outer tie rods are not uncommon.
I’ll grant you that barney, but there is a a 10 year difference between the parts in question though, and i’m not the original owner, wear and tear and maintenance are a complete unknown on parts like this I haven’t replaced myself.
I also owned a ’92 Mitsubishi and no problem with the rack on it either. But, granted, you are right, 20 years of use can wear out anything.
The right hand drive cars are very popular with the kids. They must be getting parts somewhere. I can ask around if it turns out to be the rack. Don’t overlook checking the shaft coming down from the steering column,
Thanks,
I’ll have to give it a thorough checking his weekend.
If it is the shaft in the column what could possibly be wrong?
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