4ws - play in rack end at driver side

[vanzep]

had a bit of rattling/knocking from the rear of the BB1 when going over any uneven surface
bit of play at the passenger side rear drop link so went to fix that today but found the main knock is coming from the driver side steering arm on the 4ws gearbox
there is up and down play at the inner joint
maybe there has been some damage from the exhaust hanging down on the shaft when its up on the lift....not sure but there a tell tale mark on the shaft.

has anyone else had to / been able to change the rack end without too much hassle.
lings still list the part as being available - guess its the whole arm that needs replaced...not sure
any input appreciated.

it is item 7 on the diagram on lings

[Merlin]

Isn't there something like Vectra tie rod ends that fit? I can't remember but I'll have a search.

[Merlin]

Have a read, Vectra, Mondeo and Jaguar X Type apparently fit.

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=5146&hilit=Vectra#p87392

[vanzep]

Cheers for the info on the tie rod ends but the ones on the car are fine - i wish it was just the tie rod that needs replaced but it is at the other end of the shaft in at the gearbox that has play in it and is rattling away. There must be some sort of cv joint there and then a spring behind that to help it return to straight ahead position
I dont know much about 4ws tbh

[Merlin]

Ahh I get you now. The rattling bit is the equivalent to a front inner tie rod?

[vanzep]

yep - lings still list them but its a few quid for one and im not sure if it could be something to do with the spring as well so not comfortable with shelling out and not sure how easy it is to do this job etc

[Merlin]

I would think its the same as changing the front ones. The part number is 53020SS0000

[vanzep]

thanks for the part number - thats the one - ive found some info in the manual (section 17)

[vanzep]

[no0ne]

Yeah have the same issue with my 5gen on the passenger side(car is LHD). I knew more people with the same issue, and it is always that side which is closer to the edge of the road, where theres pot holes and all kinds of bs. Which makes sense..
I had sounds coming from passenger side rack end of the 4ws unit for couple of years already, and i didnt even tried to fix that, becouse theres too much hassle as you say. On the bright side, its not getting worse.