Rack and Pinion problem
 

Hello!

Troy here with a 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer 4WD, 4.2 6 cylinder engine, 113" wheelbase. I just replaced the rack and pinion, connected everything up, started the engine and while the Trailblazer was up on jack stands I could turn the wheels just fine back and forth (about a dozen times). I let it down, backed it out of the driveway, and now the two front wheels do not turn together. If I turn in one direction, one wheel turns correctly and the other wheel doesn't seem to turn at all. I do not know if it's the driver side or passenger side that is turning correctly (will check shortly).

I have replaced the outer tie rod ends with the rack and pinion and measured the old ones to get a close approximation of the settings for the toe-in (I believe that's the term). I don't think I'm way off there.

Any advice on where to look for the issue?

Thanks!!

I would drive it a bit if that is possible, if not put it up on jackstands. The idea is to get any air pocekts out of your power steering fluid rack and pinion which MAY be the problem, not that it is the issue.

Thanks oilcanhenry!

I was unable to drive it at all. I had backed it out of the garage, turn it to the right, putting the car into drive, and then the wheels did not turn together. I had replaced the outer tie rod ends and the rack and pinion came with new inner tie rod ends. What I had done is measure the old tie rod ends and then set the new ones as close as I could. It turns out that measurement was completely off. I bet there was about an inch and a half difference from straight between both front wheels.

I nursed it back into the garage, jacked it up, put two VCT tiles under each front wheel, let it down on the tiles, and did a home wheel alignment with some string, two cinder blocks, and a tape measure. That worked to get the car back on the road.

Sincerely appreciate your reply!