the list, in no order: earliest mod done about 6 months ago, except for the brakes being done about 1.5 years ago.


- FSTB
- KS
- swaybar endlinks with all bushings + swaybar bushing x 2
- ES LCA bushings x 2
- moog inner tierod ends x 2
- moog balljoints x 2
- Raxles both driver/pass.
- illumina/H&R
- proxes4 all around
- front strut bearings x 2, and all misc things eg. dustboots and bushings
- new radiator
- new battery
- amsoil ATF
- castrol gtx 5w30
- mobil 1 ATF in the PS + baster flush
- MM pads/Brembo blanks

so I still get this clunking in the front suspension; had the shop take a look at it, and diagnosed as the rack, since it was leaking like a biotch. owner states it could possibly be the inner tierod just bangin around inside the boot. The clunking noise got worse and worse after I swapped balljoints and inner tierods, and redid the suspension, and that was the first time I've seen it leak since I check it at all oil changes.

googled many things and have come down to a few things to attribute to the leaking rack.
(1) atf in the PS had cleaning detergents that found a weakened area and induced a leak.
(2) tierod installation gone awry.
(3) plain wear and tear
(4) hard turns and abusive driving

now given I got this car at 80k (now has 113K) from a carfax that dictated CT and FL as places of residence, I've babied it for that entire time. If I push it, it's only from a highway roll, nothing to compromised my axles burnouts, racing, etc.

so how is my '99 rack leaking so early on? I've read how-to's on how to replace the rack. anyone in jersey willing to take on this job?

 

Nissan says to use ATF so I highly doubt it is the problem. I would say it is just old.

 

changing the tierods probably put more strain on the old rack( no slack from them put more slack on the rack)

it could also be that they were installed incorrectly, but w/o knowing where it's leaking from it's tough to tell.

bring it to a mechanic since you have to align the car once you're done.

 

alignment was done 4 days after install.

the rack is leaking at the inside portion of the boot, so almost exactly in the center of the car.

 

Hey I got a question. I found your post from looking up "slack" and "rack." Does slack in the rack allow a little play in the wheels? I mean even a slight bit? I am trying to identify a noise. (Yeah I know 4th gens have them built in.)

 

depnds on what your noise is. any wear in the suspension will cause some slack in the wheel. you have to be more specific on your noise

 

Hmmmm. Well, it's sort of a rattle. Sounds like it's from the right side. I could be wrong. And I'm trying to differentiate this noise from noise I know that I had been hearing from the raggedy exhaust. But I usually heard the exhaust knocking around when I hit a speed bump or a pretty good bump in the road or a dip or something. I can hear this noise I'm talking about now when I'm travelling on the road and there are mild bumps in the road. That's what made me ask if there could be a noise from slack in the rack that may allow a wheel to turn or wobble left or right ever so slightly enough to make noise. You know what I mean? Like could it wobble from left to right even with me holding the steering wheel tight because of the slack. And another thing: I hear it when I come out of first gear. Like I have the speed building and then I come off the gas and the shift shock sort of results in a rattle and then I go to second. Man I wish I could just get you to drive it.

 

check your motor and tranny mounts.
Had about the same problem.
Drivers side tranny mount for me.

 

a rattle could be many things. i would start by jacking the car up and moving your tires around by hand to see if there is any play in the steering(hands ar 3 and 9) or the lower control arm/ball joint/bearing(hands at 12 and 6) visually inspect the bottom as well. your tie rods having play shouldnt make noise, just cause you to not have as responsive of steering.

 

Thanks. I'll try that maybe today or tomorrow. I'd much rather the cause be something like this than the motor mounts. I was hoping no one would mention mounts. This car's starting to get on my nerves, but I promised I'd take it to 200K. (And I like not having payments.)