mossman77

I was reading through the FSM and there's a screw on the back of the rack called the "Rack Guide Screw". The procedure says to aim the front wheels straight ahead, remove the screw, apply new sealant, and re-install the screw with the socket 15 degrees from vertical. I've heard of other Honda/Acura owners adjusting this screw to fix loose steering and instability and bump steer--exactly what my issue is. Does anyone have experience with doing so?

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

mossman, you sound like you researched the issue and knows what adjusting the screw will do.

if your rack is failing, there is no harm in trying to adjust the rack guide.
go ahead and try to adjust it!

mossman77

I'm definitely going to attempt it. The part in the procedure about loosening the screw, then tightening it, then loosening it again is a bit puzzling. Does this preload the rack or something? And how do I torque the locknut to 51 ft-lb with a regular 3/8" socket-type torque wrench?

FactoryMDX

Is it a very tight space? 51 lbs isn't that much if you have enough wiggle room. Can you post a pic of what you're looking at when underneath?

Might be able to achieve 51 lbs with a smaller tq wrench or use a hammer and just "eyeball it".

mossman77

I should have been more clear. When I said how do I torque it, I meant with what tool. I think the Honda tool I ordered probably has a 3/8" socket hole on it in order to torque the locknut properly, so I'm assuming I would just attach my standard torque wrench to this socket.

The tool looks like this, so it does have a 3/8" socket hole for a torque wrench:
http://civic-eg.com/viewtopic.php?p=...3969eedaa99872

FactoryMDX

Here is the part number for the steering special tools. looks like #3. Are you going to do this? You can always get a reducer fitting to go from 1/2 to 3/8

spec tools.pdf

FactoryMDX

Rack adj.pdf

mossman77

Thanks. I ordered the tool yesterday and already have a 1/2" to 3/8" reducer. If this works, the rack on my truck could use an adjustment too. Come to think of it, my G35 has always been really stiff and could probably benefit from it too. Fingers crossed, but not holding my breath.

FactoryMDX

Yeah, i'm thinking of doing this to the X as well... couldn't hurt and seems easy enough.

mossman77

FYI, this is the tool you'll need: 07AAA-STKA100 - Honda RACK GUIDE WR, 43MM

mossman77

Update:

I finally got around to messing with the rack adjustment screw. Accessing the screw wasn't difficult and the procedure was straightforward. The steering seems a tad better but I'm considering trying it again, only this time tightening the screw a little more. The procedure says to tighten it to 18 ft-lbs, back it off, tighten again to 4 ft-lbs, then back it off 15°. I think I'll try 0° to see what it feels like. I imagine after 115k miles, things have worn a bit and the 15° is probably no longer accurate. I'll post the results once I get around to doing it again.