Morning people, can anyone assist with the following problem : Ford Escort 16v with pas has developed slight play in the o/s inner steering rack causing a knocking noise, had so many comments garages rangeing from "scrap the car, you have to replace the whole rack to you can buy the inner rack and bolt it onto the one which houses the track rod end ? anyone help me please

 

The steering rack ends, known as drum sticks simply screw into the ends of the rack itself on your car, undo the track rod end at the hub, turn the rod with a pair of grips, maybe the joint was very tight and it has unscrewed a bit from the rack(inside), if not the track rod can certainly be replaced very easily, and not expensive either, take gaitor etc off unscrew screw another one in there job done, get tacking checked.
tabetha

 

the track rod end was inspected and it is fine, the problem i have is with the inner rack whatever that is ?

 

The track rod END is the joint on the end of the track rod(bar) that joins the two to the rack itself, ie the threaded rod that the track rod END screws onto is called the track ROD, where it attaches to the rack, inside the long outer tube part, it has a joint, so that it can flex as it needs to as wheesl turn suspension moves etc, the joint on the INNER track rod can wear, but very simple to repair by replacing, so just to clear up although the joint on the wheel hub you can see is ok, it is the other end of this rod hidden by the steering rack gaiter that has the wear.
tabetha

 

hi yes its the other end that has the gaiter on it, on my paperwork it says "o/s Inner steering rack has movement"

 

Update : managed to find an honest mechanic who replaced the inner rack for £70, thank you tabetha for your advise.

 

No probs matey, make sure you keep the "honest" guys number, they're very rare these days..
tabetha