My 85 DL has a weepy steering rack. Are there any cheap and easy fixes or should I bite the bullet and replace it. It's the family kid's car and I plan on keeping it around for several more years.

Also...aren't there 2 different types of racks? How would one tell the difference?

Thanks!

The Cam Gear has boots that have a small opening the diameter of the tie rod. The ZF's boots' small opening is much bigger than the Cam Gear's.
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Thanks to everyone for the help, Doug C. 81 242 Brick Off Blocks, stock; 86 240, 130K

I can't find the term "steering rack" in my Haynes Manual. Is there another term for steering rack?

If the rack is original, the label in the trunk tells you what type it is. If "STEERING" is "3" it's ZF; I believe 2,4,5 are CAM.

I believe that all CAM racks have bellows that taper down to the tie rod diameter at the outside; ZF rack bellows fit to disks on the outside end of the tie rod shafts and are therefore much wider than the tie rod shaft on the outside end.

Chuck,

Been through a rack replacement myself.

#2 - I believe the rubber rack boots have different size openings. I forget which is larger, the ZF or the other - name? Cam, Girling??. Think there are pictures in my Haynes. They might have slightly different appearances too. Let me know if you need more info.

#1 - Check your rack hoses for leaks. A friend of mine with a 740 was able to replace just the hoses - they are only about $50!! If it is leaking past the internal seals that's a different story. However, I've read on this board of people who keep driving with them until they leak very badly - check the archives.

Regards,
Jim