Stub shaft seal kits
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,658
Likes: 4
From: Clifton Park NY
Stub shaft seal kits
A month ago I had to replace the rack and pinion in the car. I ended up having to buy it through Ecklers since at the time they were the only ones that had one in stock. I know I paid almost twice the price.
Anyways after I got it in and got a 4 wheel alignment done it has developed a pretty good size leak through the stub shaft. I'm assuming its the seal kit thats in there causing it.
I did call them and they have no problem replacing it. I do however have a problem because it will take approximently 3 weeks by the time I remove it send it back... then they ship a new one to replace it.
My thought was to buy a $20 seal kit through rockauto.
This brings me to my question.
Can it be done while the rack is still in the car?
Is it a very difficult job? Looks to me that I only have to remove the snap ring and remove the seals on that end.
Anyways after I got it in and got a 4 wheel alignment done it has developed a pretty good size leak through the stub shaft. I'm assuming its the seal kit thats in there causing it.
I did call them and they have no problem replacing it. I do however have a problem because it will take approximently 3 weeks by the time I remove it send it back... then they ship a new one to replace it.
My thought was to buy a $20 seal kit through rockauto.
This brings me to my question.
Can it be done while the rack is still in the car?
Is it a very difficult job? Looks to me that I only have to remove the snap ring and remove the seals on that end.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,765
Likes: 5
Never have tried it.
Replacing those seals in a Rack & Pinion steering assembly is usually done a work bench with a vise to use to make it easier.
I have not replace stub shaft seals in a Rack & Pinion in over 20 years.
Always used OEM or aftermarket reman's.
I know your situation,
Try it the rack & pinion steering mounted in your Vette.
Good luck with your project.
BR
Replacing those seals in a Rack & Pinion steering assembly is usually done a work bench with a vise to use to make it easier.
I have not replace stub shaft seals in a Rack & Pinion in over 20 years.
Always used OEM or aftermarket reman's.
I know your situation,
Try it the rack & pinion steering mounted in your Vette.
Good luck with your project.
BR
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,406
Likes: 2,744
A month ago I had to replace the rack and pinion in the car. I ended up having to buy it through Ecklers since at the time they were the only ones that had one in stock. I know I paid almost twice the price.
Anyways after I got it in and got a 4 wheel alignment done it has developed a pretty good size leak through the stub shaft. I'm assuming its the seal kit thats in there causing it.
I did call them and they have no problem replacing it. I do however have a problem because it will take approximently 3 weeks by the time I remove it send it back... then they ship a new one to replace it.
My thought was to buy a $20 seal kit through rockauto.
This brings me to my question.
Can it be done while the rack is still in the car?
Is it a very difficult job? Looks to me that I only have to remove the snap ring and remove the seals on that end.
Anyways after I got it in and got a 4 wheel alignment done it has developed a pretty good size leak through the stub shaft. I'm assuming its the seal kit thats in there causing it.
I did call them and they have no problem replacing it. I do however have a problem because it will take approximently 3 weeks by the time I remove it send it back... then they ship a new one to replace it.
My thought was to buy a $20 seal kit through rockauto.
This brings me to my question.
Can it be done while the rack is still in the car?
Is it a very difficult job? Looks to me that I only have to remove the snap ring and remove the seals on that end.
If you do the $20 seal kit and the rack goes to +++tz then they're going to be sure and remind you that you tampered with it. With the replacement one another warranty period should begin. Should! I'd get that documented also.
I wouldn't tamper with a rebuilders "rebuild". There's lots of possible issues.
If they don't have a replacement available in a reasonable amount of time then it could get involved. If you buy one somewhere else you've no core. You've returned yours or was it an outright buy?
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 17,700
Likes: 1,667
From: moraga ca
If Ecklers acknowledges the exchange/warranty let them send you a replacement and you do the swap and return it. If they require payment for the replacement until the return of the defect just make sure that it's documented in correspondence and pay with the credit card. Documentation is important!
If you do the $20 seal kit and the rack goes to +++tz then they're going to be sure and remind you that you tampered with it. With the replacement one another warranty period should begin. Should! I'd get that documented also.
I wouldn't tamper with a rebuilders "rebuild". There's lots of possible issues.
If they don't have a replacement available in a reasonable amount of time then it could get involved. If you buy one somewhere else you've no core. You've returned yours or was it an outright buy?
If you do the $20 seal kit and the rack goes to +++tz then they're going to be sure and remind you that you tampered with it. With the replacement one another warranty period should begin. Should! I'd get that documented also.
I wouldn't tamper with a rebuilders "rebuild". There's lots of possible issues.
If they don't have a replacement available in a reasonable amount of time then it could get involved. If you buy one somewhere else you've no core. You've returned yours or was it an outright buy?
Once you mess with it, it's yours.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 375
Likes: 18
From: Lawrenceville Georgia
If you do decide to replace the seal it's not difficult. I replaced mine (1989) a few years back. I had to fabricate a tool to gently "tap" the seal in.
I used a thick washer with a 13/16 hole, OD of washer was 1 1/2 inch. I centered the washer on a piece of pipe OD 1 1/16 and 2 1/2 long and welded it. Next I just welded a washer on the other end of the pipe to use as a striking point. Tap slowly and gently!
If I remember, the only critical fitting piece of my home-made tool was the washer to seal fit.
Joel
I used a thick washer with a 13/16 hole, OD of washer was 1 1/2 inch. I centered the washer on a piece of pipe OD 1 1/16 and 2 1/2 long and welded it. Next I just welded a washer on the other end of the pipe to use as a striking point. Tap slowly and gently!
If I remember, the only critical fitting piece of my home-made tool was the washer to seal fit.
Joel
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,658
Likes: 4
From: Clifton Park NY
If Ecklers acknowledges the exchange/warranty let them send you a replacement and you do the swap and return it. If they require payment for the replacement until the return of the defect just make sure that it's documented in correspondence and pay with the credit card. Documentation is important!
If you do the $20 seal kit and the rack goes to +++tz then they're going to be sure and remind you that you tampered with it. With the replacement one another warranty period should begin. Should! I'd get that documented also.
I wouldn't tamper with a rebuilders "rebuild". There's lots of possible issues.
If they don't have a replacement available in a reasonable amount of time then it could get involved. If you buy one somewhere else you've no core. You've returned yours or was it an outright buy?
If you do the $20 seal kit and the rack goes to +++tz then they're going to be sure and remind you that you tampered with it. With the replacement one another warranty period should begin. Should! I'd get that documented also.
I wouldn't tamper with a rebuilders "rebuild". There's lots of possible issues.
If they don't have a replacement available in a reasonable amount of time then it could get involved. If you buy one somewhere else you've no core. You've returned yours or was it an outright buy?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,658
Likes: 4
From: Clifton Park NY
So just to update this.
I had contacted ecklers and they did send me a new rack. Pulled the one I had in there and they gave me a full refund.
Now after a week of driving with the second replacement its leaking again!... Empty's the resevoir in less than 10 miles. WTF???
Leaks at the same location. I did call ecklers. This time they are gonna hand select the next rack/pinion and test it... (but they can't pressure test it). I also told them I don't want another that has a rebuild date thats even close to the ones we've tried already. Maybe bad parts or it was a Friday when the guy rebuilt them. Who knows...but QA on those two racks was terrible.
I will give them credit though...as upset as I am about having to do this... again. This time they will not charge my credit card and will give me a 15% discount on my next order. At least I feel I'm getting something..i suppose.
But let me tell you...I've gotten real good at pulling these racks out!
Actually I was mistaken... the leak is gushing out of the inner tie rod of the drivers side.
I had contacted ecklers and they did send me a new rack. Pulled the one I had in there and they gave me a full refund.
Now after a week of driving with the second replacement its leaking again!... Empty's the resevoir in less than 10 miles. WTF???
Leaks at the same location. I did call ecklers. This time they are gonna hand select the next rack/pinion and test it... (but they can't pressure test it). I also told them I don't want another that has a rebuild date thats even close to the ones we've tried already. Maybe bad parts or it was a Friday when the guy rebuilt them. Who knows...but QA on those two racks was terrible.
I will give them credit though...as upset as I am about having to do this... again. This time they will not charge my credit card and will give me a 15% discount on my next order. At least I feel I'm getting something..i suppose.
But let me tell you...I've gotten real good at pulling these racks out!
Actually I was mistaken... the leak is gushing out of the inner tie rod of the drivers side.
Last edited by qws; Jul 26, 2011 at 07:45 PM.
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Michael S. Palmer
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Ed, I hope this gets sorted out so you can drive it to Carlisle. I really want to see your car!
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,658
Likes: 4
From: Clifton Park NY
If I had to do it all over again I think I would of just had my orginal rack rebuilt by someone locally.
- 1986 Original Owner -
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