74WELD Steering Rack Clunking - Check Yours!

[TruckCamper]

Ugh. I’m on my second go around with the 74 Weld rack on my Raptor.

i had the clunk issue last summer. 74 Weld replaced the housing and swapped the internals from the defective housing (which were my original OEM internals) into the new replacement housing.

now i have a new issue that occurs in full lock to drivers side, otherwise quiet (for the time being). Ford indicated this is an internals problem but won’t warranty for obvious reasons. 74 Welds initial response was i need to get new internals as that’s a Ford parts issue. I know squat about inner workings of the rack, but I’m not convinced that the problem is a failing ford part alone. As I’m unclear what the housing problem was on the first 74 weld housing, how do i know the clunking issue which got exceedingly worse over time, didnt result in my something in the internals failing now?

Anyhow, I’m working through the issue and probably will be going back to stock Hoss 4.0 rack in the interim as i have an upcoming trip.

video for your listening pleasure of the latest issue. note I’m at full stop. only the steering wheel is in motion.

That is crap.

Sounds like the belt is skipping. Might be obvious when you pull it apart...

Unfortunately, you'd need to have the new Hoss 4.0 rack programmed to function (add cost). I'd definitely go that route at this point... maybe add end caps depending on how you use it.

Anytime you swap parts there is potential for issues plus wear and tear issues. Just wish the Raptor Racks were less expensive and simpler to program.

Could sell the 74w rack housing to help offset the cost... with disclosure of course.

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[Gene Dios]

That is crap.

Sounds like the belt is skipping. Might be obvious when you pull it apart...

Unfortunately, you'd need to have the new Hoss 4.0 rack programmed to function (add cost). I'd definitely go that route at this point... maybe add end caps depending on how you use it.

Anytime you swap parts there is potential for issues plus wear and tear issues. Just wish the Raptor Racks were less expensive and simpler to program.

Could sell the 74w rack housing to help offset the cost... with disclosure of course.

Does a replacement raptor rack not just plug into a raptor? I may be misunderstanding what part needs to be reprogrammed in your reply

 

[Valhalla]

The racks do not come programmed.

 

[BigMeatsBronco]

For the record the Braptors 4.0 racks internal parts all fit in the 74weld housing. The tie rods are a different taper.

 

[SierraBronco]

We pulled the 55weld steering rack on the trail after it threw some codes and started clicking when turning passenger. Never lost power steering but decided to do the swap in a location of our choosing (flat with grass) rather than wait for it to finish breaking on the trail. Put a factory Hoss 3.0 back in.

It is pleasant to no longer have the clunking.

 

[userdude]

We pulled the 55weld steering rack on the trail after it threw some codes and started clicking when turning passenger. Never lost power steering but decided to do the swap in a location of our choosing (flat with grass) rather than wait for it to finish breaking on the trail. Put a factory Hoss 3.0 back in.

It is pleasant to no longer have the clunking.

"Hey Vern."

"Yes Phil?"

"I thinkin' we should replace that dadgum weld-whatnot steerin' rack today. Wutcho thank?

"Well, I think you about right on that 'un."

"Ok. Well Ima proposin' we drive 200 miles! Get into some trails, y'hear?"

"Yes'm Vern, I hear ya!"

"Get right down where it's all craggly by the crick, then we start'a lookin' round fur a good spot."

"Uh huh."

"Y'know, by where Billy lost his chompers than one time?"

"Oh yeah! That was'a funny, that durn Billy a real cutup!"

"Anyhow, let's get down there. Really get it goin', THEN look for a flat spot-"

"A place of our choosin'?"

"You read my mind Phil! That's why we're such good friends! You get the blankets, I'll get the Fresca!"

"Whose got the new rack?"

"Oh. Well, we figure that'un out when we get there."

"Sounds gud! Let's skeedaddle 'for it gets too dang hot!"

 

[SierraBronco]

"Hey Vern."

"Yes Phil?"

"I thinkin' we should replace that dadgum weld-whatnot steerin' rack today. Wutcho thank?

"Well, I think you about right on that 'un."

"Ok. Well Ima proposin' we drive 200 miles! Get into some trails, y'hear?"

"Yes'm Vern, I hear ya!"

"Get right down where it's all craggly by the crick, then we start'a lookin' round fur a good spot."

"Uh huh."

"Y'know, by where Billy lost his chompers than one time?"

"Oh yeah! That was'a funny, that durn Billy a real cutup!"

"Anyhow, let's get down there. Really get it goin', THEN look for a flat spot-"

"A place of our choosin'?"

"You read my mind Phil! That's why we're such good friends! You get the blankets, I'll get the Fresca!"

"Whose got the new rack?"

"Oh. Well, we figure that'un out when we get there."

"Sounds gud! Let's skeedaddle 'for it gets too dang hot!"

Interesting that you decided to use a gay couple. How very progressive of you

 

[userdude]

Interesting that you decided to use a gay couple. How very progressive of you

Interesting reading...

Edit: I guess that's based on the blankets and Fresca comment? There's blankets in the photo and it's two country bumpkins talking on the telephone, Fresca down these parts used to be a very country thing. Never intended any gay overtones, but I guess...

 

[userdude]

@SierraBronco The "place of our choosing" struck me as funny; while not confusing if you know the context, most people would choose a driveway somewhere. So I thought if it was just overheard, what might be said and for some reason it was some rural goobers getting excited about going out to do something a lot of people would find hard in less harsh circumstances. And I wanted to leave beer out of it. That's my story and I'm stickin' to it!

 

[SierraBronco]

@SierraBronco The "place of our choosing" struck me as funny; while not confusing if you know the context, most people would choose a driveway somewhere. So I thought if it was just overheard, what might be said and for some reason it was some rural goobers getting excited about going out to do something a lot of people would find hard in less harsh circumstances. And I wanted to leave beer out of it. That's my story and I'm stickin' to it!

Sounds like Vern and Phil are laying in bed thinking of ways to spend their day. I guess the mind sees what it wants to see

But yeah-with it starting to randomly act up in the middle of the rubicon, we decided to swap it out when we got to the campsite. So technically still chanced it getting worse and fully breaking, then doing an actual trail swap within the couple more miles we drove it, and not a “grassy flat spot next to the trail” swap.

 

[userdude]

Sounds like Vern and Phil are laying in bed thinking of ways to spend their day. I guess the mind sees what it wants to see

But yeah-with it starting to randomly act up in the middle of the rubicon, we decided to swap it out when we got to the campsite. So technically still chanced it getting worse and fully breaking, then doing an actual trail swap within the couple more miles we drove it, and not a “grassy flat spot next to the trail” swap.

"Brokeback Rubicon - On the next, Maury Povich!"

Yeah, that was what I figured, lay it down where it's most comfortable before you shoot the ol' gal in the head. Oh yeah, sorry, wrong thread!!

Maybe go full American Gladiator and break on a 10/10 obstacle. At this point, that would be impressive, not this "pull off gently and lay on a blanket in the shade ripping out the steering on the Rubicon" bologna. If you want to be a real infloowencher, really flex, y'know? lol

 

[SierraBronco]

"Brokeback Rubicon - On the next, Maury Povich!"

Yeah, that was what I figured, lay it down where it's most comfortable before you shoot the ol' gal in the head. Oh yeah, sorry, wrong thread!!

Maybe go full American Gladiator and break on a 10/10 obstacle. At this point, that would be impressive, not this "pull off gently and lay on a blanket in the shade ripping out the steering on the Rubicon" bologna. If you want to be a real infloowencher, really flex, y'know? lol

I’ve never actually seen an inflooencer wrench on a rig. At least not in person. Plenty of opportunities and they’ll document it while using “we” a lot but…not actually help.

 

[JohnGalt]

I’ve got my 74 weld rack sitting in a garage cabinet. Just can’t summon the courage to rebuild it and put it back in. its broken twice (technically the first time only got to really loud clunking, but was still functional) vs. never for the stock rack. And it’s a PITA to get in and out vs. the stock rack in the event of having to do a trail fix The next time it fails.

Considering using it to do a stage 1 upgrade, but even that feels riskier than stock at this point. And I thought the 74 Weld rack was going to save me trouble….

Sounds like the same fail as my second time. I’m willing to bet you’ll find a shredded belt inside…. Looking forward to your autopsy report

 

[SierraBronco]

I’ve got my 74 weld rack sitting in a garage cabinet. Just can’t summon the courage to rebuild it and put it back in. its broken twice (technically the first time only got to really loud clunking, but was still functional) vs. never for the stock rack. And it’s a PITA to get in and out vs. the stock rack in the event of having to do a trail fix The next time it fails.

Considering using it to do a stage 1 upgrade, but even that feels riskier than stock at this point. And I thought the 74 Weld rack was going to save me trouble….

Sounds like the same fail as my second time. I’m willing to bet you’ll find a shredded belt inside…. Looking forward to your autopsy report

Yeah I need to tear it apart and see what’s up. I’m being lazy though.

 

[userdude]

I’ve never actually seen an inflooencer wrench on a rig. At least not in person. Plenty of opportunities and they’ll document it while using “we” a lot but…not actually help.

Well, there was that one guy that stood on the hardtop roof and tried to surf with it. Does that count? I guess you could fend off a hungry bear or make the rack into a lamp.

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