Chrysler Repair: 1997 Chrysler LHS steering rack problem, lower ball joints, 1997 chrysler lhs

Question
This car has 160,000 miles. When the steering is turned to sharp left, at some points, the left tie rod pushes back on the rack enough to push on the steering column and even flex the firewall slightly briefly causing a hangup as it binds and then a quick noise as it releases. I have put in new inner and outer tie rod ends, new left control arm as the ball joint was bad, new left control arm tension strut and bushings,new strut top mounts and bearings, new rubber spring isolators on the strut springs and finally a rebuilt rack with new bushing mounts. The rack still moves back enough to push against the steering column and firewall. Ideas? Is the rack movement normal and should it be absorbed by the steering column? Is the rack position adjustable at all? The car now drives very nicely but something is not right when the noise can be consistantly reproduced when turning the wheel left. Thanks for your help.  Bruce

Answer
Hi Bruce,
The '98 shop manual lists the following possibilities: low power steering fluid, tires not inflated to proper level, lack of lubrication in front suspension control arm ball joints, worn lower ball joints, lack of lubrication in front suspension outer tie rod ends, loose power steering pump drive belt, faulty power steering pump flow control (test power steering pump procedure), excessive friction in steering column or intermediate shaft, binding lower ball joint, worn front strut seat and bearing or strut pin stuck in strut seat, excessive friction in steering gear.
I don't have personal experience with this model. However there are about 10 pages on the steering gear mechanism and 18 pages on the pump that I can xerox copy and postal mail to you. It costs 10 cents a side plus the postage, which you can reimburse me for with 42-cent stamps after you get the pages. Tell me whether you want all the pages or some or none.
Roland
PS Use the "thank/rate" tab below to get back to me with a postal address, without having to wait for me to be 'available' to take a question. I would appreciate an evaluation and nomination.