Problem removing steering rack

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May 13, 2012 | 08:10 PM

StealthLT4

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Joined: Dec 2006

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From: St Marys GA

Problem removing steering rack

I'm down to one bolt holding the damn thing in, and I can't figure out how to remove it. It's the driver's side mount, the one that is the single long bolt and nut. The nut is removed, but the bolt is too long to remove. It hits some hard line that runs under/in front of the engine from the passenger side (not sure where) to the driver's side. Looks about 1/2" in diameter, and doesn't budge at all.

I've followed everything in the FSM except for removing the serpentine belt and idler pulley, since I didn't need to in order to access the bolts. Any ideas? I've tried pushing the steering rack to one side to try to get the bolt to angle out, but it still won't move.

May 13, 2012 | 08:45 PM

pianoguy

Safety Car

Joined: May 2007

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From: Apple Valley MN

Sounds like maybe you're running into the power steering line? One tab on that line is held on with a nut up by the P/S reservoir, and there's another tab down lower, maybe on the engine cradle, if I remember correctly.

May 13, 2012 | 10:11 PM

StealthLT4

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From: St Marys GA

Yup, figured out it is the power steering line, from the reservoir to the pump. I can't get to the clamp by the pump (even after removing idler pulley) because it's facing the rear of the car (about 1" away from the accessory mounting bracket...), so I'm trying to remove it from the reservoir side. Got the clamp off, but there's a bracket holding it to the engine. The bolt was being a b!tch, so I'm soaking it in PB Blaster right now, hopefully it will come off easily tomorrow.

May 14, 2012 | 09:07 PM

StealthLT4

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From: St Marys GA

So am I just retarded? Removing that bracket allowed me to push the line far enough out of the way to get the bolt out, but now the rack won't come out. I spent probably 2 hours tonight wiggling it in every conceivable direction, but it doesn't move far enough in any direction before hitting some piece of the frame for me to get the driver's side mount free of the mounting tabs. ???

May 14, 2012 | 09:48 PM

shakedown067

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Joined: Dec 2003

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From: Van Steel Corvettes

St. Jude Donor '12-'13

Man I wish I could remember when I did mine a few years back, but I've purposely put that behind me. Took something like 6.5hrs to swap that stinking thing out. Shouldn't have been that difficult. Hope to never do it again. Good luck, wish I could have actually helped.

May 14, 2012 | 09:52 PM

cgantner5150

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Joined: Feb 2010

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From: Metairie LA

Don't feel bad - I fought with mine and the engine was removed. Maybe taking the outer tie rods off will help give a little room?

May 15, 2012 | 02:11 AM

lt4vette

Instructor

Joined: Mar 2010

Posts: 127

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From: Overland Park Kansas

Do you have the rack disengaged from the steering shaft yet? Or can you not get that far because it won't clear the mounting tabs?

May 15, 2012 | 04:38 PM

StealthLT4

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From: St Marys GA

Intermediate shaft is removed, as is the entire front suspension and the exhaust manifolds. This should be as easy as it gets (with the engine in place). If I go to the passenger side, the mount hits the crankshaft pulley before clearing the tabs. To the driver's side, the place where the intermediate shaft bolts to the rack hits the frame before the mount clears the tabs. Up, and the rack itself hits the frame crossmember. All the frame pieces are non-removable, unless I want to pull the engine. I'll put some more time into it tonight, but it's just an exercise in frustration at this point.

Tie rod ends are still in place, but are just hanging in the wheel wells, so wouldn't help to remove. I may remove the inner tie rod ends, but I don't think that will help either.