cmashark

has anybody had any luck rebuilding their own steering rack? i have found rebuild kits for our steering racks and was thinking about trying to do one myself......any imputs?

chris

cmashark

anybody?

Cutter1

I have rebuilt them you need special seal driver to install shaft seal.
It is not hard to do though. If u are handy maybe you can make something up.Its just a seal driver with longer handle to reach in the housing.

JackDidley

My 87 had an inner tie rod wear out. I replaced it with no trouble. I did not get into the hydraulics though.

AGENT 86

I found it easiest to fork out the $165 for the rebuilt one. I had a pinion seal leak and contemplated repairing it myself, but my research should that the parts were more than me just buying a rebuilt one from my local parts place.

zr1fred

XQIZT

i believe that part of the leaking problem is that the seals score the housing, so even if you rebuild it, it will leak eventually. After going through all the aggravation of getting the rack out, just put in a new one...and if you don't have the Z51 option steering ratio, GET IT

Sidney004

There were two different types of steering housings, the first was aluminum(early years), which had the scoring problem, the second was iron ,which did not have this scoring problem. I do not know what year the housings switched to iron.

Cutter1

The seals go in the housing and ride on steering shaft.The shaft may wear and in dealership i would replace shaft but a rebuilt one comes with all used parts, resealed with new bushings. The seals that do wear on the rack are the steering input shaft and wear a groove in the housing .But maybe the rebuilding companies install a sleeve.