probably just a worn out rack?

I replaced the shaft guide on the rack ( I have shown with a black arrow) and I think my problem got worse. There is slack where the steering shaft goes into the rack (I have shown with a red arrow). Is there a fix for this? Is there any way that it could have gotten worse by me replacing the guide? I followed the instructions in the how to section to a T. At least I think I did. It doesn't get much easier than that, I don't know how I could have messed it up. The slack was there before but now it seems to be worse. Maybe since it is tighter at the guide it just shows up worse now.

 

Did you install new bushings in the rack?

 

Not yet, I have them but haven't had time to get them in. Hopefully tomorrow. Having my son turn the wheel bump to bump while im looking at it, I can see a lot of rotation in the shaft before it starts to torque the rack itself. There is obviously a lot of slack there. The bushings are bad but not real bad. I cant move it at all by hand but you can see it torque up a little when it starts to move the wheels. No side to side movement but a little twist.

 

That sway bar bushing looks done. If you have to replace I have a whole rack otr to otr. Worked perfectly. Hopefully you find a fix for yours. GL.
Mine is off reg cab 2.7

 

I actually stole that pic from another post so its not my truck. Its funny, somebody else made the same statement. You are gonna have to spell it for me I guess....whats otr stand for

 

Outer tie rod

 

^^^
rack is complete tie rod to tie rod. Dropped rack with otr's still attached. Funny thing, never had to align truck in 277,000 miles. Had checked over the yrs.lol