Steering Gear issues

Hey guys, I'm willing to offer you a rare opportunity. Two vehicles, with one post...talk about efficient.

I have a 1995 Windstar and a 2000 Windstar. Both have different steering issues and I'd like some advice on each.

The 1995 first. It has 180k miles on it and I'm sure it's the original steering setup. The van has a pronounced moan when steering (usually worse just after starting the engine). I can deal with the moan, but I have noticed a startling amount of slack in the steering. I can turn probably 40 degrees while I'm driving down the road before it begins to turn. (20 degrees each direction from center). Anyone think that this could be the steering gear itself or is it possible that the tie rod ends are shot? I don't detect any unusual wheel slack if I jack it up and wiggle the wheels left/right.

On the 2000, if I'm sitting in the driveway with the engine idling, and I wiggle the steering wheel back and forth, I have a knock. I've climbed under the vehicle and looked at the passenger side inner tie rod end and there is clearly too much slack. I'm certain that's where the knock is coming from. I'm considering replacing both the inner/outer tie rods on both sides because we are going to Florida in November. If I'm in there, I'd just as soon have it all fresh and new. My wife says that she feels like she has marginal control of the vehicle when she's driving, but I drive it all the time and I have no idea why she says that. I don't feel that at all.

Final question....on the 2000, It needs an alignment. I replaced the tranny about 2 years ago and when the subframe when back in there, I'm not sure it got put in straight. (Plus I've been using right front tires quicker) The steering wheel has to be at around 2 o'clock just to go straight down the road. If I let go of the wheel, it has a serious want to pull to the right. I've read about doing the subframe alignment using dowels (19mm I believe). Anyone ever done this? The reason that I ask is because there is a round hole in the subframe, a round hole in the bottom of the body and then it appears to have oval holes above that. It seems that if it were to be a precise deal, there would be nothing but circular holes to ensure tight alignment. What would it cost to have it aligned at a shop?

Mark

The 1995: There is a reason that replacement rack and pinion assemblies are available ... they wear out! And they are dangerous when they do. If you really want things to be "right" .... replace the rack and pinion, (which includes the inner tie-rod ends), the "outer tie rod ends", and the strut links and strut bar bushings. (It is difficult to detect any wear on steering/suspension components by twisting on the system while the wheels hang.)

The 2000: The subframe is not in the wrong location ... that's almost impossible without a major effort to do so. You have toe-in adjustment issues ...you can bet the toe-in was upset when the tranny was replaced.... easy to fix yourself by doing a little study (It ain't rocket science) ... or, you can carry it down the road to Bubba's Alignment Shop ... give Bubba several bucks ... and the alignment then may well be worse! (You remember Bubba ... use to cut classes so he could work on his tan! He ain't spent any time at MIT, Duke or such ... but he is a "professional" and he still keeps a good tan!) You have worn components on this vehicle also...a little wear on tie rod ends is very distractive.

Forgive my levity!

I found an easy way to adjust the toe-in/toe-out. This is how I do it. When I make any adjustments, I just turn the wheel so I can access the tierod nut.
http://www.ehow.com/video_2327639_measure-toe_in-wheel-alignment.html

Might want to do a power steering flush on both those Windstars if haven't before. Even if you replace the steering rack and pinion assy on the '95 it would be good to have clean fluid in the system.

Here's a link: http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=728209&highlight=power+steering