Does my power steering rack need to be replaced?

[evo77]

I'm getting horrible LOUD rubbing noises coming from what appears to be the inner tie rods. I initially thought these sounds were my new LCA bushings but I confirmed they are not the bushings.

The rubbing/squeaking occurs when I turn the steering wheel left to right. The majority of the sound is coming from the drivers side.

Now its my fault but I rarely ever checked my power steering fluid and sure enough it was super low on fluid. Filled it back up hoping that maybe things would get lubricated again but the noise is still there.

Is there anything that I can replace or adjust to rid the steering rack from the noises or am I just going to have to put in a whole new rack?

[BigMac]

Did you properly bleed the system?

STANDARD PROCEDURE - POWER STEERING
PUMP INITIAL OPERATION
WARNING: THE FLUID LEVEL SHOULD BE
CHECKED AND ADJUSTED WITH THE ENGINE OFF
TO PREVENT INJURY FROM MOVING ENGINE COMPONENTS.
CAUTION: Use only MoparT ATF+4 Automatic Transmission
Fluid (MS-9602) in the power steering system.
Do not overfill.
(1) Fill the power steering fluid reservoir to the
proper level, then let the fluid settle for at least two
minutes. (Refer to 19 - STEERING/PUMP/FLUID -
STANDARD PROCEDURE - POWER STEERING
FLUID LEVEL CHECKING)
(2) Start the engine and let run for a few seconds,
then turn the engine off.
(3) Add fluid if necessary. Repeat the above procedure
until the fluid level remains constant after running
the engine.
(4) Raise the front wheels off the ground.
(5) Start the engine. Slowly turn the steering
wheel right and left, lightly contacting the wheel
stops.
(6) Add power steering fluid if necessary.
(7) Lower the vehicle and turn the steering wheel
slowly from lock to lock.
(8) Stop the engine. Check the fluid level and refill
as required.
(9) If the fluid is extremely foamy, allow the vehicle
to stand a few minutes and repeat the above procedure.

[AdvanSRT-4]

Sounds like the damage has already been done. Not sure how much a new rack is for our car, but I'm sure it's not cheap.

[reed32]

ebay has one right now for 100.

[evo77]

I think your right Advan. I did not follow the procedure above but I have checked the level since I last filled it and it still remains at the FULL line. And I'm still getting HORRIBLE noises. I mean my car is literally embarassing to drive especially pulling into the parking garage of my job.

Looks like I'm going to have to replace the whole damn thing.

The one I saw on ebay was for a regular Neon. The SRT uses a different rack. Unless you saw a different one?

[evo77]

Well after further inspection of the unbareable noises coming from the front we found that the issue was...

the BALL JOINTS

They were regreased and sure enough the noise is now gone (halleluah). The ball joints are brand new mind you. They said they filled them with grease when they pressed them in the arms initially. How did they lose the lubrication after a few days? Who knows. I just hope it doesn't happen again.

[jgb989989]

if they have been replaced some one forgot to put lube in