Rack and pinnion replacement

[Electrohacker01]

I have been trying to replace my rack and pinnion for going on two weeks now, little thinks keep holding me up. now I'm down to the final bolt and I just cant reach it.

it's the bolt that holds the steering column onto the rack. how do I get it off and how to I get it on the new unit?

I also learned the hard way to remove the steering cooler first. my plan it to strap an aftermarket cooler on top of the stock one and use that till I can get a factory part in.

Also any tricks on getting the old rack out and putting the new rack in?

Thanks.

 

[Dave98XLT]

Yes remove the mounting bushings before trying to remove the old rack otherwise they get in the way. And when installing the new rack put the Rack in place feeeding through the crossmember and then put the bushings into the rack much easier.

 

[Electrohacker01]

but how do I get the steering shaft off? I cant get to the bolt

 

[Stick4503]

When i did mine i had to disconnect all the mounting bolts and lines in order to slide the rack over a bit to make room to get to the bolt on the shaft. The entire job is a huge pain tin the back side. The rack will not come out or go in very easily. Its a constant fight all the way.

 

[Electrohacker01]

yeah but I have no idea how to even get a wrench on it or what size it is.

 

[Dave98XLT]

Try coming in from the top and putting a vice grip to hold the nut while turning the bolt with a box end wrench. Cant remember the sizes, probably a 13mm.

But do take the mount bushings out of the rack first, and it will come out much easier instead of hitting on the cross member. Reverse when you install it...

 

[Jon94]

Just curious, what went wrong with your rack that made you replace it? I suspect my rack is going bad and wanted to see if the symptoms are the same.

 

[Electrohacker01]

i cannot get to it from the top without removing the steering pump assembly

it was leaking badly and I hit a wall on the highway in PA in 07, had bad death wobbles and other weirdness ever since, but most of it was manageable by keeping the pump topped off

 

[Turdle]

There is a trick for the pinch bolt. Turn the steering wheel until the bolt head is facing the front of the vehicle. you can then use a socket , 1/4 drive swivel on a long extension, I believe the bolt head is 12mm, (might be off on that though) , reaching in from under the front of the truck.

Lock the steering wheel right away. You don't want it to over turn and damage the clockspring wires.

The shaft goes back on only one way-it is "keyed" by a triangle shaped shaft on the rack.

 

[Electrohacker01]

of course! why didnt I think of that!

 

[Dave98XLT]

Well if you are still wrestling to get the rack out, take the bushings out first...