posted 08-24-2014 01:14 AM                  

Does anyone know if the prowler steering rack is a shared component with another vehicle.

posted 08-24-2014 02:26 AM                  

From an old post in 2002:
"There is a good chance the ball joints are causing
your problem. If the dealer checks the joints the way the book says, they will check out good. The problem with the joints is that they get too tight. This will require the steering rack to have to build up more pressure than it should. This is why it is making the noise. If the problem is the joints, It is very possible you may break the ball it stud off while
driving!!
MAJOR PROBLEM!!!
Another symptom that goes along with the tight joints that
you may be having. Wandering, tight steering, hard to keep
in a straight line.
I know of 5 prowlers that had this problem. At least
three of the owners were told the steering rack was bad
by the dealer. I know of one the new rack was installed and
didn't help at all. I know of three prowlers that broke the
ball joint stud off. One of which had the new rack
installed."
END OF THAT OLD POST

From 2010 post of IVEGOTSUGAR

I had my driver side inner tie rod replaced back in Aug 09 ...
It was rough trying to find just the inner tie rod since it shows that you have to replace the whole steering rack .
However Don Ward ( 832) 717 - 4977),was able to find a part to fit and so far so good .
Here is the info ... Mopar Steering Tie Rod part # MR519046
This part came from an 01 - 05 2 door Stratus
Cost for part $72.20

Another 2002 post that may be informative and helpful to you.

"The normal check for ball joints is to jack up under
lower control arm as close to the ball it as you can. Check
for up & down and in & out movement on lower its and in and
out movement on upper its. These checks however will not
find the problem that I am talking about.
The best way I found to check ball joints that are seizing up is.
1. Disconnect tie rods from spindle arms.
2. With wheels off the ground turn the tire in and out as
far as it will go.
3. Tires should turn with very little residence.
4. If the ball joints are seizing up, in most cases you find
it hard to turn.
This is not a for sure check, but I find it works in most
cases. Hope this helps!! "

You can do a search with just the words STEERING RACK and get a lot of good info.

It may just be your ball joints.

posted 08-26-2014 07:56 AM                  

quote:

---

Originally posted by ed monahan:
Fatman, before you pay big bucks for a rack and pinion, make sure it is not the ball joint. There were numerous cases of "mistaken identity" back in the day. Make sure your ball joint recall was completed and even that is no guarantee that they are still okay.

From an old post in 2002:
"There is a good chance the ball joints are causing
your problem. If the dealer checks the joints the way the book says, they will check out good. The problem with the joints is that they get too tight. This will require the steering rack to have to build up more pressure than it should. This is why it is making the noise. If the problem is the joints, It is very possible you may break the ball it stud off while
driving!!
MAJOR PROBLEM!!!
Another symptom that goes along with the tight joints that
you may be having. Wandering, tight steering, hard to keep
in a straight line.
I know of 5 prowlers that had this problem. At least
three of the owners were told the steering rack was bad
by the dealer. I know of one the new rack was installed and
didn't help at all. I know of three prowlers that broke the
ball joint stud off. One of which had the new rack
installed."
END OF THAT OLD POST

From 2010 post of IVEGOTSUGAR

I had my driver side inner tie rod replaced back in Aug 09 ...
It was rough trying to find just the inner tie rod since it shows that you have to replace the whole steering rack .
However Don Ward ( 832) 717 - 4977),was able to find a part to fit and so far so good .
Here is the info ... Mopar Steering Tie Rod part # MR519046
This part came from an 01 - 05 2 door Stratus
Cost for part $72.20

Another 2002 post that may be informative and helpful to you.

"The normal check for ball joints is to jack up under
lower control arm as close to the ball it as you can. Check
for up & down and in & out movement on lower its and in and
out movement on upper its. These checks however will not
find the problem that I am talking about.
The best way I found to check ball joints that are seizing up is.
1. Disconnect tie rods from spindle arms.
2. With wheels off the ground turn the tire in and out as
far as it will go.
3. Tires should turn with very little residence.
4. If the ball joints are seizing up, in most cases you find
it hard to turn.
This is not a for sure check, but I find it works in most
cases. Hope this helps!! "

You can do a search with just the words STEERING RACK and get a lot of good info.

It may just be your ball joints.

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posted 08-26-2014 08:48 AM                  

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