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Thread: Removing a steering rack

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Posts: 1-9 of 9
2010-01-01 19:29:34
#1
Removing a steering rack
Hey everyone I searched "removing steering rack" but didn't pull up any relevant info. I'm going to be removing a steering rack from a car that still has the engine in it. Just wanted to see if anybody has done this before and has any pointers before I get started. Thanks for any info.
2010-01-01 22:21:17
#2
If it is a manual rack it is no problem. I have heard for power steering you have to drop the subframe.

Dudeman
2010-01-01 22:43:16
#3
Need this info also
2010-01-01 22:46:28
#4
No you don't have to drop the subframe but the power steering rack has a very tight opening to go through via the tie rods. The big hassle was the access to the steering u-joint, not much space to work with. One tip for you, tie down your steering wheel before you do anything else so it doesn't lose it's position with the wheels straight. Did this removal once, wasn't fun but can be done.
2010-01-01 23:25:06
#5
Originally Posted by blusteelsr20
No you don't have to drop the subframe but the power steering rack has a very tight opening to go through via the tie rods. The big hassle was the access to the steering u-joint, not much space to work with. One tip for you, tie down your steering wheel before you do anything else so it doesn't lose it's position with the wheels straight. Did this removal once, wasn't fun but can be done.


Good info there. I would have never thought about that.
2010-01-02 14:00:03
#6
Good info. I have pulled over 10 manual racks however I have never pulled a power steering rack before. If I ever need to now I know it can be done.


GL

Dudeman
2010-01-03 06:37:32
#7
Well I went ahead and pulled the rack out today. It was a manual rack. Not too bad of a job.

Tools you'll need.
-1/4" Ratchet
-3/8" Ratchet
-10mm Deep socket
-17mm short socket
-12mm short socket
-19mm short socket
-Heavy Hammer


What I did first was loosen the 19mm castle nuts on the outer tie rods. I then bashed upwards on the castlenuts in order to pop out the outer tie rod ends. Next I loosened the 17mm bolts that hold the rack in place. There are four of them.

Third I went for the cover plates you'll need the 10mm deep socket for the nuts that hold the cover plates in place. Fourth I disconnected rack from the joint, you'll need the 12mm socket for this.

Fifth step was to unbolt the rear engine mount and then unbolt the rear crossmember bolts. This caused the back end of the transmission to sink forward. By doing this I got more space to wiggle the rack towards the passenger side. I'm not sure if this is neccessary though. I'm thinking it might have been possible to slide the rack out on the drivers side without have to sink the transmission forward.

After sliding the rack out I went ahead and removed the joint from the steering wheel shaft. You'll want to grab the joint as well as the rack as it is a different part than cars equipped with power steering.

Removing the manual rack wasn't too bad. I'd suggest not doing all this in sub 40 degree temps. That is what sucked the most.

Now that the rack is out I have a new question. How do I know it is centered when I install it? My intentions is to put it into a power steering rack equipped car. The problem is the rack was not centered when I removed it. Also I moved the rack while I was removing it so I added more movement to an already not centered rack.

How do I make sure it will be centered when I install it?
2010-01-03 07:00:16
#8
after you connect it, count how many turns it is both ways from center. thats how i did mine.
2010-01-03 15:17:09
#9
Good little walk through.

For the record you don't have to disconnect the cross member or motor mount.

And you can get it out from either side with the car completely together. After that little knuckle is disconnected it takes some patience but you can wiggle it out either end you please.

As for centering, you can center it with the rack still outside of the car and use whiteout to mark where the steering shaft should be oriented, then make your steering wheel centered and attach the knuckle.

However it is difficult to get it exact without an alignment machine eyeballing it will make it pretty close. If you are handy with removing your steering wheel after you have been driving it you can just rotate the steering wheel so it is centered also..

Dudeman
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