rack and pinion issue

[BCFCVS]

Hey guys i recently installed a sst 2" 3" leveling kit in my 2008 expedition. I have a hollow sounding rattle in the front end and it seems to be the rack and pinion it has a shutter when i wiggle the passenger side tire. i was wondering it i should stick to a stock one or if you guys can tell me what to go with as far as after market one that works good with my truck. I do a lot of beach driving and upstate driving nothing crazy off road but i feel if i have to replace it might as well go with an upgrade.

thanks guys for your help

 

[kevinb]

Have you checked inner and outer tie rod ends on that side?

 

[tonydiv]

I agree. If any of your front end components were iffy to begin with, issues will pop up, now that they are operating at more extreme angles.

 

[FordandPolaris]

I was talking to a ford tech a few weeks ago while trying to diagnose an odd catching feeling in my parent's 04. He told me it was very rare for a steering rack to actually fail. In our case it was the u-joints connecting the steering wheel to the rack that had become stiff. I would also recommend checking your ball joints and tie rods before going through the steering rack.