Steering oscillation & noise

**steve-gee** · 11-10-2014 05:46 AM

Hi Guys

My 4th Gen VTIR steering has really been nuts lately, wobbles badly and really rattly noise between 70-100+ Kph - I just know its choppin' out my tyres too. Anyway - I took it into ABS and they told me that the steering rack is shot.

Makes sense to me - there's just so much free-play in the steering; had to be something like that! Anyway - my question is has anyone ever bought a new or rebuilt unit anywhere (I'm in Vic).

I'm not the type to tackle an install though - ballpark prices on labour would be fantastic!

Steve

**Jasemas** · 11-10-2014 11:20 AM

If im not mistaken you can actually get a special wrench from honda and use it to tighten the power steering rack
There's a massive 40mm adjuster nut on the power steering rack where you can remove all the slop in the power steering
I did it on my old accord, nice and firm now

http://honda-tech.com/acura-integra-...r-did-2572614/

**steve-gee** · 13-10-2014 12:29 AM

Originally Posted by Jasemas

If im not mistaken you can actually get a special wrench from honda and use it to tighten the power steering rack
There's a massive 40mm adjuster nut on the power steering rack where you can remove all the slop in the power steering
I did it on my old accord, nice and firm now

http://honda-tech.com/acura-integra-...r-did-2572614/

Hey Jasemas

Thanks - I really appreciate the tip! It's going to a 2nd guy for a quote on Wednesday this week; so I'll ask him to check that angle out for me.

Cheers

Steve

**steve-gee** · 14-10-2014 11:51 PM

Originally Posted by steve-gee

Hey Jasemas

Thanks - I really appreciate the tip! It's going to a 2nd guy for a quote on Wednesday this week; so I'll ask him to check that angle out for me.

Cheers

Steve

First quote is back = $616 for the new rack = total of $945 installed. They didn't seem to think adjusting it was very do-able; but were a bit vague on why it might not work? It's in at another more local shop right now - I'll see how I go with him. It certainly HAS been feathering the edges of my tyres!

Steve

**Jasemas** · 15-10-2014 09:34 AM

Removing the rack & replacing is alot of work
Make sure the new one that goes in has a warranty
Or do you know if its a re manufactured one or an aftermarket one

Did you follow up on the tightening of the rack guide?
YOu can download a service manual for the prelude at hondatech/manual

**steve-gee** · 18-10-2014 02:23 PM

Originally Posted by Jasemas

Removing the rack & replacing is alot of work
Make sure the new one that goes in has a warranty
Or do you know if its a re manufactured one or an aftermarket one

Did you follow up on the tightening of the rack guide?
YOu can download a service manual for the prelude at hondatech/manual

Hi Jasemas

I took the car in for a 2nd opinion to a local guy (with a great reputation). He's of the opinion that a wheel alignment and replacement of the now damaged tyres will likely fix it? He has checked the car underneath and was not able to find enough play such that he'd suspect the rack? I have it booked for Monday for a full 4WS alignment. Obviously it would be great if it's as easy as that??

**curtis265** · 18-10-2014 02:47 PM

Originally Posted by steve-gee

Hi Jasemas

I took the car in for a 2nd opinion to a local guy (with a great reputation). He's of the opinion that a wheel alignment and replacement of the now damaged tyres will likely fix it? He has checked the car underneath and was not able to find enough play such that he'd suspect the rack? I have it booked for Monday for a full 4WS alignment. Obviously it would be great if it's as easy as that??

steering is heavily affected by ill alignment and uneven wear. Best way to rule this out would be to try someone else's wheels on for a few days

**steve-gee** · 18-10-2014 03:02 PM

Originally Posted by curtis265

Best way to rule this out would be to try someone else's wheels on for a few days

Great thinking Curtis - only I don't have access to any. Gonna sound dumb - but I guess a rear to front swap might help too; only I'm lacking car stands etc. I think I'll go the way of the alignment Monday and hope that that fixes it? If not I've blown $100.

Steve

**steve-gee** · 23-10-2014 07:31 AM

Originally Posted by steve-gee

Hi Jasemas

I took the car in for a 2nd opinion to a local guy (with a great reputation). He's of the opinion that a wheel alignment and replacement of the now damaged tyres will likely fix it? He has checked the car underneath and was not able to find enough play such that he'd suspect the rack? I have it booked for Monday for a full 4WS alignment. Obviously it would be great if it's as easy as that??

Now - I'm gonna sound dumb here but what the heck?? I did get the 4WS system aligned - at a specialist - cost me $100 - then had 2 x new tyres fitted on the front the next day.

MAN - it's a totally different car!

Turns out ABS were 100% wrong - it was nothing to do with the steering rack at all! If I had gone down that route it was going to cost me just shy of $1,000 - and it still wouldn't have been fixed!!

When I saw the tyres off the car I could see really BAD wear in patches that were not obvious on-car. I am so pleased that I got that 2nd quote! Final bill was only $310 and it runs like it's on rails now!

Steve

**Jasemas** · 23-10-2014 09:06 AM

Now would be a good idea to service the 4ws
Great that you got it fixed!

**steve-gee** · 01-11-2014 05:53 AM

Originally Posted by Jasemas

Now would be a good idea to service the 4ws
Great that you got it fixed!

What's involved in a service (my first Prelude)?

By the way - a spin-off benefit from getting the alignment and tyres sorted. The gearbox - which had been a bit notchy, even with a fluid swap etc - is now MUCH smoother!

I do have a theory - the skewed gyroscopic effects of the front wheels may have been loading up the manual transmission. Now that all is straight and true - the tranny is freer too??

Steve