I have a about 3/8" in and out play on both sides of the rack and pinion. When I lift the wheels off the ground and move them in and out there is this play. Is it normal or time to replace the rack. There is some play in the steering and I'm moving the wheel back and fourth. It just started happening all the sudden. Everything else seems tight. Can the play be adjusted out or replace?
probably needs inner tie rods. that is a common part failure. it could also be the rack. you will be able to tell once you get the boots off and remove the inners.
if there's fluid inside of the boots, get a new rack.
I just bought a reman rack a couple of months ago and it cost me $70. All I "needed" were inner tie rods, but I figured it was really not much more to just buy the whole rack with the inner tie rods & boots included so I went that route instead. More bang for the buck.
+1 on replacing the entire rack/inner tie rod assembly. Be sure to get the correct ratio! Check how many turns lock to lock... you want the quick ratio. Get some energy suspension mounts/bushings as the mounts that usually come with the 'correct' quick ratio rack seem to not be 'correct'. The energy suspension mounts/bushings are an improvement over stock too.
FYI, the TC constant ratio "quick" rack is 2.5 turns lock to lock, while the "standard" non TC variable ratio is 3 turns lock to lock.