New member here, and I need help. I just replaced the steering rack on my 07 TL because it started making a horrible metal on metal scraping noise when I turned, and now there is an inch of play in the steering wheel before the tires even move. Is there any slack adjustment in the rack, or anything else I can do? I'm not very happy that I just spent my whole weekend working on that thing, to now have play in what was once a tight steering car.any help would be appreciated!

 

Did you bleed the air out of the lines? Any (different) sounds after rack replacement? Like moaning?
Is the car still on jackstands or on the ground with 1" of steering slop?

 

Are you sure the steering couplers are tight?

Is it a brand new rack? Aftermarket?

 

I bled the air out of the lines by turning the wheels back and forth for a few minutes. And thats 1" steering slop on the ground.
Update: while driving to work, I noticed the metal on metal sound while turning still!
i have never had a rig get worse after trying to fix it.

 

Reman'd rack. Not sure what steering couplers you're talking about; the fasteners/bolts are tight.

 

For the PS lines that connect to the rack.

If you're positive the (new) sound isn't coming from the PS pump, often times metal on metal scrapping/rattling sounds are from loose heat shields that rattle against the exhaust, a lot of times only present when turning the wheels.

 

Ok thank you. I'll take a look at that.

 

I'm referring to the u-joint looking thing that connects the steering wheel to the rack.

Is that on correctly? Not just tight.

The rack may not be properly adjusted for preload. That's something worth checking. Check the service manual or try searching youtube to see what I'm referring to. It won't be clear if I explain. There is an adjustment for rack and pinion preload.

 

The u-joint connecting the steering wheel to the rack looks like it should, I put it back on the way it came off but I will check it and make sure.
I will have to do some more research on preload adjustment, because when i looked up steering rack adjustment i couldn't find anything having to do with handa/acura.

 

The below is from the 07-08 TL FSM & may be what BROlando is referring to?

 

^Yep! that's it.

Idk if this is something that's commonly "off" or something.

I once bought a rack from Honda that had the guide adjustment way too tight.

So now I always check them before installing.

 

It's not too tight, it's actually easier to turn than it was before. The issue is all the slop in the steering.

 

Yes.

My point is that sometimes the rack preload is not properly set when you buy brand new parts.

Maybe yours was too loose.