Rack and pinion play on the inside

[sony2000]

All tie rods are in good shape, but where the steering column enters the steering box there is play or slippage. Is there a big bolt with locking nut on the steering box, that adjusts the tightness of the pinion gears? Driving the car and you can hear the racks loose on the pinion gear, when going over bumps.

[burnout8488]

Did this on my 850, not sure if it's exactly the same for your P2 vehicle... but it might be!

You need to be very careful with this adjustment. Notice how I marked mine. Make a 1/8th turn clockwise, then test. It is a 10mm hex plug. In an 850, all of the rack's mounting hardware will need to be disconnected as there is a plate that covers this up. I sagged the subframe down in the rear, and left the steering shaft connected.

It took two clockwise 1/8th turns to eliminate the "on-center" play of my freshly REBUILT rack. Rack gears tend to wear in this area and the pinion preload needs to be adjusted to compensate for it.

Test for binding when turning left and right while making the adjustment. If it feels abnormally tight, you've gone too far. When done, stake the adjuster to the rack using a screwdriver so it cannot move. (The initial turn will break the stake made at the factory)

[sony2000]

Thank you "burnout". I hope the P2 set up is more user friendly.

[burnout8488]

Me too, good luck! If you find yourself under the wagon checking it out, post a pic. I'm interested in seeing the subframe differences and if the rack uses the same 10mm hex adjuster.

[Davidib]

Any news on this? Has anybody adjusted the P2 preload bolt? Mine looks like your 850, it’s an Allen key but a bit bigger. Sway bar is in the way so I’m going to have to sag the subframe and unbolt the sway bar but I would love more info on this because early P2’s are different than later P2’s that have ZF racks, those have like a 17mm bolt to adjust preload, I have a 2001 s60 t5 and it’s either a 12 or 13 mm Allen key, almost like your 850.

[vtl]

Any news on this? Has anybody adjusted the P2 preload bolt? Mine looks like your 850, it’s an Allen key but a bit bigger. Sway bar is in the way so I’m going to have to sag the subframe and unbolt the sway bar but I would love more info on this because early P2’s are different than later P2’s that have ZF racks, those have like a 17mm bolt to adjust preload, I have a 2001 s60 t5 and it’s either a 12 or 13 mm Allen key, almost like your 850.

You need a 17 mm 1/2" socket and angle grinder to cut to ~19 mm depth. Adjust to 1 notch only. In my case it didn't help, because pinion gear had a wear around zero point. Fixed with a factory-rebuilt rack.

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[Davidib]

My P2 rack doesn’t have a 17mm, it’s an Allen key like older 850s. Will give this a try this weekend, hopefully it helps the play just a little.

[vtl]

Ok, SMI rack. If you decide to replace it, go ahead with ZF one. They are better, newer and easier to get.