stewal 7 Posted September 14, 2019 Hi, I have significant play in the steering which is spoiling the drive now. it appears to be play in the rack but in spite of a couple of leads they no longer seem to be available in right hand drive. is the concensus that they have to be rebuilt rather than replaced now - I just dont fancy the wait for rebuildinf whilst the car is in bits. cheers. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jackherer 543 Posted September 14, 2019 You can easily adapt a 306/Xsara PAS rack to fit a 205. If you search on here for Xsara VTS rack you'll find loads of info about how to do it. The best one to get is a Xsara VTS rack because they are only 2.4 or 2.6 turns lock to lock (depending on year) but they are rare and hard to find now. As I understand it all 306 and Xsara racks are a bit quicker than the 205 PAS rack though. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jackherer 543 Posted September 14, 2019 BTW When you say the play is in the rack could it be the inner track rod ball joints or is it definitely the rack itself? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stewal 7 Posted September 14, 2019 Thanks for yhe reply: yep pretty sure its the rack, was hoping it was the uj in the column as an easy fix but movement of the steering wheel is being transferred immediately to the shaft below the uj but not to the wheels. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jackherer 543 Posted September 14, 2019 That could still be the inner track rod ball joints by the sounds of it? They are easily replaced with the rack in place. You can buy the entire kit above or individual parts, there are four ball joints in total, two each side so make sure they are good before you change the whole rack. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stewal 7 Posted September 15, 2019 Many thanks for this: I think you may be onto something as the mileage isnt sky high so would not expect the rack to be so worn. i was only looking at the joints I could see, so will take the gaitors off and take a look. Cheers. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ozymandis 96 Posted September 15, 2019 Put it on full lock, right hand down, lay under on passenger side, grasp the rack through the gaiter, push and pull it front to back, if theres play between the rack body and the actual rack you will feel it and it will be the bush thats pressed into the rack casting. To check the inner ball joint grasp the rod and the end of the rack Push and pull the rod in and out and any play at that point is the inner joint knackered. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stewal 7 Posted September 16, 2019 Many thanks for this: I think you may be onto something as the mileage isnt sky high so would not expect the rack to be so worn. i was only looking at the joints I could see, so will take the gaitors off and take a look. Cheers. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stewal 7 Posted September 16, 2019 Hi Jay many thanks: conducted the test as above and much to my surprise everything was rock solid. Had another poke around and found all the play in a second uj on the engine bulkhead side - having lost my haynes manual I thought the only uj was under the dash. it looks like this is a second short shaft going through the bulkhead and connecting the rack to the internal column. Am I right in thinking I can release the bolt on top of the rack and on the base of the internal shaft, then take this short shaft out with the massive bulkhead grommet released? Do you know if replacements are still available. cheers Steve Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jackherer 543 Posted September 16, 2019 The lower columns including U/Js are available and are replaced as you say. There is more than one part for 205s though, PAS and non-PAS and also the PAS type is divided into square drive or spline drive where it goes onto the pinion on the rack. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ozymandis 96 Posted September 16, 2019 (edited) Common fault easy enough to fix, beware of the different types. If its PAS then it will be one of the spline types rather than a square type, more than one spline type though choose carefully. If you get a spline type that fits, but has rubber where yours doesnt, then a few blobs of weld lock it together. It would drive and be safe with a rubberised one, but a little of the `crispness` of the steering goes away, the weld brings it back. When You mentioned the play was in the rack, we all thought you had checked the UJ. Edited September 16, 2019 by Ozymandis Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stewal 7 Posted September 16, 2019 Thanks guys last question honest! part 410394 is still availble from peugeot for an eye watering near £200, on ebay both 410394 and 410398 are available for £55 any idea what the difference is? They are both for pas which I need and I believe both are splined but wonder if one is the rubber coupling which I would be best off without. cheers. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ozymandis 96 Posted September 16, 2019 Are You on `Servicebox`? If not Create an account and then enter your VIN and it will tell You which fits. They are available on the aftermarket rather than genuine peugeot prices. 98 is GTI type Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
welshpug 1,621 Posted September 16, 2019 they will both fit as there was only ever splined pas racks, the bushed item is for all non gti cars. non pas you have splined early type, square later, again with and without the bush. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jackherer 543 Posted September 16, 2019 It's true, I always get mixed up with square drive PAS because I have fitted Xsara VTS racks to every 205 I work on! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
