Steering rack replacement

[88FestivaLX]

Is this difficult to do? I know it will need to be aligned afterwards, but is this something fairly easy I could do at the house and then drive a few miles to get it aligned? Thanks!

[georgeb]

Drive it a few feet to get it aligned: Yourself!

[Pu241]

Good advise georgeb!

So why don't you tell him how to do this or provide links to assist.

[walth]

it is a PITA! I'd remove the downtube to make it much easier

[88FestivaLX]

I figured it would be a PITA. I may just take it to a shop.

[walth]

removing the downtube is easy. and if the bolts are heat-seized then just take off the manifold (that's what I did before I drilled out the old studs and went stainless) but really, once you get the downtube off it clears up a lot of room to move it around.

[88FestivaLX]

What's required to get the rack loose from the steering shaft?

[eurotiva]

There is a pinch bolt (under the rubber thingy) and it is on a splined shaft. I suggest marking both of them so it goes back together about where it was.

[walth]

There is a pinch bolt (under the rubber thingy) and it is on a splined shaft. I suggest marking both of them so it goes back together about where it was.

lol...the rubber boot?

there might only be one spot it'll fit. I know the main spline inside the car has sort of a key or one spline that's much larger than all the others. Or do you mean marking it so the rack is equal on both sides?

[georgeb]

I'll post a pic of an clean empty engine bay showing the top view if that's any help.

[walth]

it's 4 bolts and the boot and splined connector and your outer tie rod ends.

[88FestivaLX]

I'll post a pic of an clean empty engine bay showing the top view if that's any help.

Sounds good!

[georgeb]

Can't get photobucket to work. It looks like the hardest part would be removal of the cat. Before you remove the splined connector, have someone hold the steering wheel straight while you measure the rack protrusion on each side. They should be the same. when you reassemble, equalize rack with steering wheel straight. The wheel alignment is done the same way, except with a piece of string hooked to the back wheel and pulled to the edge of the front tire. The front of the tire should be just slightly toed in. Be advised I've never done a rack R and R.

[walth]

just PM Kartracer46 (Jay) as he strips cars and R&R's just about everything. I watched him do one of these. He didn't take off the DT tho!! and what a pain but he got it done

george, you don't remove the cat, just the downtube and it's 3 nuts on the bottom side or 7 (nuts&bolts) on the manifold and the sensor but it's quick

[georgeb]

My manual says to remove the cat but it's been wrong before. Removing the downpipe doesn't look like any picnic either.