'07 Mustang steering rack question.

A while ago my tires began to wear out and deteriorate due to age, balance and alignment; got everything replaced and repaired, even went so far as to buy a new set of stock wheels. Everything went perfectly until last week, when the front end developed a "thunk" when going over bumps and small rises in the road. Worse when turning at the same time. Got louder and more frequent until I finally got under there for a check.

I was hoping that it might be a perished sway bar bushing or something of that sort, but nothing looked worn or wrong. Lifted the wheels with a crow bar, checked the ball joints and struts, sway bar and A arms, everything was fine. I jacked up the front and wobbled the wheels up and down and side to side, right side was fine, left side made a noise. Not a loud "thunk" but something that might be heard as a loud thunk under load and weight.

The tie rod end was fine, but the rod coming from the rack moved in and out quite a bit. I didn't pull the gaiter and look inside yet (tomorrow) but was wondering what to expect when I do?

Are these rods supposed to have play in them, it measures to about an inch in/out. Is there a cir-clip holding them fast or an inner clamp or do they thread into something or what? As the car went through an alignment, SOMETHING must be able to move or adjust under the gaiter/inside the rack, could the alignment tech have left something lose that I could just tighten up?

I'm at a complete loss here and could REALLY use some help/guidance/ideas/knowledge.

Thanks ! ! ! !

TC

Tom, there is probably a steel ball end in a teflon socket with some very thin spacer washers. Bet the teflon socket perished to get that much play. Pull the boot back and have a look. The thunk is the steel ball end moving in and out banging on the retaining cup. Wait too long and it will open up the hole in the retaining cup enough for the ball end to pull thru and some very bad things will happen.

Steering rack problem was the reason that I skipped the Cape cruise last night. Gonna look under the boot this afternoon, got an appointment to bring the car back to the alignment shop on Monday, let them sort it out. Much too early in the car's life for a steering rack failure.

that is probably the inner tie rod you're describing. replaceable seperate from the rack

Thank you ! I'll mention that to the alignment shop. I suspect that it involves something that they had their hands all over as the left side was the worst, both in being out of alignment and tire wear/balance. Probably ought to have had it replaced then.

I really love to run this car fast out on the interstates in the evenings and have spent more than I should have on it. If it's just in the rack or the tie rod(s) needing repair/replacement, I'll pay it gladly.