01 T&C, New Steering rack makes clunking noise. Dealer says its normal???????

[maher871]

With the engine running, and jerking the wheel to the left and right repeatedly, I can hear a noise coming directly from the steering rack (mostly in the passenger side) . This is a brand new rack (only 2 weeks old). The dealer claims it's a new type of gear they use now and it the clunk should go away withing a couple hundred miles or so. I can't believe for the life of me that this is normal.
We bought the van used in Jan 06 (from a dealer), in April, 06 the van developed a noise. ( When the wheel is rocked back and forth so they changed the defective rack(sound familiar). In january 2007 both steering rack boots were wet with fluid, so they again changed the defective rack.
Now, I have another new rack that now makes clunking noises when you rock the wheel to and fro and they tell me its normal. Come back after 500 miles if it doesn't go away!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Come on all you Chrysler Techs, Tell me if this makes any sense to you!!!!!!!!!!!!

4/2006 dealer replaces bad rack (clunking / inner tie rods)
1/2007 dealer replaces bad rack again (wet boots both sides)
2/22/2007 Clunking from steering rack (dealer say noise will go away)
2/22/07 Please help me out!!!

2001 Town & Country Ltd. 3.8l 41000 miles

[buzzkill]

Doesnt really make any sense. I have not had any issues with new racks clunking.
If someone had a new rack installed and came in with this issue I would think sway bar bushings..maybe links. If you are sure its comming from the tie rods..lets call it what it is...a bad rack.

far as the 500 miles...if it was a shutter or groan, ya then maybe some air in the system which is hard as hell to purge...few hundred miles and it would purge out..but clunking..ahhhhh..no