Steering rack interchange?

[Gloyale]

I have a car here with alot of slop in the Rack and Pinion unit. There is excessive backlash. I am going to try and adjust to solve the problem. However, if I can't get it to stop clackin, I need to source a used one.

 

I have a few older EJ racks around. But nothing newer than 99.

 

The car in Question is a 2000 Outback Wagon. I don't need an Excact match (ratio, etc.) I just need a rack that will interchange.

 

Will the Older EJ racks work?

[nipper]

i would think a 99 would work. If its dimensionally the same, everything located in the same place, and turns lock to lock the same, i would give it a shot.

 

nipper

[idosubaru]

subaru didn't vary them much, i would definitely give it a whirl. i use EJ steering rack bushings on the XT6, perfect fit. so long as it bolts up (i bet it does) the tie rod ends are always the same threads, so match the tie rod ends to the vehicle. but i've never done it so i can't say for sure either.

[Gloyale]

i would think a 99 would work. If its dimensionally the same, everything located in the same place, and turns lock to lock the same, i would give it a shot.

 

nipper

 

Yeah my only though is did the routing of the hydraulic lines or anything like that change.

 

99 was the last of the second gen Legacies. 2000 is the first year of the 3rd gen.

 

And the 2000 redesign was more signifigant than the redesign in 95. The rear subframe is 100% different.

 

The front subframe looks the same, but I guess I'll have to pull the rack and compare side by side to a couple earlier Legacy racks I've got.

[Gloyale]

Problem with the car turns out to be both innner tierod ends have slop.

 

I have a 93 Legacy rack with known recently replaced and tight tierods on it.

 

The parts appear identical. I would not hesitate to swap them on my own car.

 

But the customer wants assurance from someone that it is an iterchangable part.

 

Could someone compare part#s between 2000 OB inner tierods, and 93 Leg inners?

 

Much appreciated

[EVOthis]

according to subarupartsforyou.com the part numbers are different

2000 Outback 34140AC000 Inner Tie Rod End

1993 Legacy 34140AA030 Inner Tie Rod End

[Gloyale]

according to subarupartsforyou.com the part numbers are different

2000 Outback 34140AC000 Inner Tie Rod End

1993 Legacy 34140AA030 Inner Tie Rod End

 

Yeah, all the listings I find show different part #s.

 

However, the parts appear to be identical.

 

Oh, well. I guess he's gonna have to buy new ones. He's complaining about the cost of repairs, but he won't let me use the used parts I have unless "it's excactly the right part". Whatever, his money, and he'll be better off with new anyway.

 

Thanks for the help.