Anyone had to replace a power steering rack?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 38
Likes: 1
From: Roanoke VA
Anyone had to replace a power steering rack?
My '02 with 37k miles was leaking power steering fluid. I took it to a repair shop and the people there are telling me that fluid is leaking from the rack and the only way to fix it is to replace the rack at a cost of $770. Is that correct?
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,393
Likes: 17
From: Belleville Mich.
If you do have to have the rack pulled & replaced, it would be best to have your (if original) crank pully replaced at the same time.
Good luck.
Good luck.
Last edited by bumble-z; Mar 19, 2012 at 08:06 PM.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 349
Likes: 7
From: San Diego CA
I have changed the rack a couple of times already because of play in steering, not for a leak. You can't get a new rack from GM anymore, they are all rebuilt. I have yet to find a rack that has no play. I have bought the cheapest and the most expensive rebuilt rack and they were both crap.
If your rack is still tight, remove it and send it out for a rebuild. The rebuilds are ok for seals, but they don't seem to machine the rack and pinion teeth or replace the shaft bearings.
It's a fairly easy DYI job, takes only a few hours if you have good tools.
If your rack is still tight, remove it and send it out for a rebuild. The rebuilds are ok for seals, but they don't seem to machine the rack and pinion teeth or replace the shaft bearings.
It's a fairly easy DYI job, takes only a few hours if you have good tools.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,172
Likes: 71
From: MA
I have changed the rack a couple of times already because of play in steering, not for a leak. You can't get a new rack from GM anymore, they are all rebuilt. I have yet to find a rack that has no play. I have bought the cheapest and the most expensive rebuilt rack and they were both crap.
If your rack is still tight, remove it and send it out for a rebuild. The rebuilds are ok for seals, but they don't seem to machine the rack and pinion teeth or replace the shaft bearings.
It's a fairly easy DYI job, takes only a few hours if you have good tools.
If your rack is still tight, remove it and send it out for a rebuild. The rebuilds are ok for seals, but they don't seem to machine the rack and pinion teeth or replace the shaft bearings.
It's a fairly easy DYI job, takes only a few hours if you have good tools.
Same here. You can't get a new or even a rebuilt one (no cores available). If yours is tight send it to TurnOne.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 6,774
Likes: 363
From: Midland TX
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Racer
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 349
Likes: 7
From: San Diego CA
I know a place that has rebuilt racks in stock, but I'm not telling until I get yet another one under warranty
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 3,146
Likes: 203
From: Edmonton Alberta, Canada
I dont know about your Corvette rack leak..but my Pontiac GP was leaking and I put in some Lucas power steering stop leak and viola no more leaks and the power steering pump is dead quiet too. I suggest you try this, sometimes it is just a dried out seal or dirt impacted seal (living in the underworld environment) and this seems to be the cure, not a rebuild necessarly. Cheap option. Good luck, Rob
Heel & Toe
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: Canton GA
How To Replace Rack and Pinion C-5
My 2001 Coupe with 166k miles has a leak at the top of the rack and pinion where the steering shaft bolts in. I would like a link to a good "how to" site so I can determine if I want to replace myself. I have reasonable tools including jack stands and air tools, but no lift rack. Just want to see step by step instructions before I attempt.
Thanks
Thanks
Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 15,960
Likes: 21
From: West Norriton PA
St. Jude Donor '08
I think ZIP Corvette sells them for a lot lower price. Might want to check them out.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 18,308
Likes: 21
From: Marlton. Increasing performance one speeding ticket at a time! NJ
My 2001 Coupe with 166k miles has a leak at the top of the rack and pinion where the steering shaft bolts in. I would like a link to a good "how to" site so I can determine if I want to replace myself. I have reasonable tools including jack stands and air tools, but no lift rack. Just want to see step by step instructions before I attempt.
Thanks
Thanks
Lift car (jackstands are fine).
Remove wheels.
Remove bolts on each end of rack to hubs
Disconnect 18mm PS lines. For this, you absolutely should have a 18mm line wrench.
Remove bolt holding steering wheel knuckle (make sure your steering wheel doesn't turn while disconnected).
Remove bolts holding rack to cradle.
Loosen cradle bolts and use a chisel or similar to space it out. Spring tension will push the cradle back up, so you need to use a screwdriver or chisel to get the extra clearance.
Remove rack from side of car by pulling through the wheel well.
If you want pictures of the removal, take a look at ECS's installation instructions for thier supercharger. You have to pull the rack to pin the crank. I did everything fine, except for not having a line wrench. I can tell you that single point was misery without the right tool. It came off easy, just took forever without the right tool to go back on.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,809
Likes: 3
From: Yorktown Virginia
You can get the rack out without lowering the cradle, it is very tight but Ive done it. Also do your self a favor and buy a good set of crows foot wrenches, dont buy the cheap ones or else you will probably end up rounding the nuts off they will cost something like 70 for an entire set but are worth every penny. Its actually a pretty easy job once you get the lines off and just so long as your rack isnt stuck in the ears of the cradle.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 24,652
Likes: 298
From: NJ
St. Jude Donor '05-'08
I have changed the rack a couple of times already because of play in steering, not for a leak. You can't get a new rack from GM anymore, they are all rebuilt. I have yet to find a rack that has no play. I have bought the cheapest and the most expensive rebuilt rack and they were both crap.
If your rack is still tight, remove it and send it out for a rebuild. The rebuilds are ok for seals, but they don't seem to machine the rack and pinion teeth or replace the shaft bearings.
It's a fairly easy DYI job, takes only a few hours if you have good tools.
If your rack is still tight, remove it and send it out for a rebuild. The rebuilds are ok for seals, but they don't seem to machine the rack and pinion teeth or replace the shaft bearings.
It's a fairly easy DYI job, takes only a few hours if you have good tools.
http://dougrippie.com/?p=536
Heel & Toe
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: Canton GA
Thanks for all of the advice.
I will order from Zip Corvette unless someone tells me not to for some reason. Will make sure I have the correct line wrench before I get started. Dropping the cradle by an inch or so makes this appear to be a reasonable fix. Sounds a lot easier than when I replaced the differential.
Thanks to all for the comments and I will post the results when done.
I will order from Zip Corvette unless someone tells me not to for some reason. Will make sure I have the correct line wrench before I get started. Dropping the cradle by an inch or so makes this appear to be a reasonable fix. Sounds a lot easier than when I replaced the differential.
Thanks to all for the comments and I will post the results when done.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 228
Likes: 0
From: Ottawa Ontario