Steering rack/damper install
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 132
Likes: 1
Steering rack/damper install
Can you simply remove the two bolts holding the steering rack on. Remove the power steering lines then pull the rack towards the radiator tilting the wheels inward with the tie rods still hooked up to get to the damper bolt without hurting the tie rods or steering rack?
If not, can you remove the tie rod ends without messing up the rubber boots?
If not, can you remove the tie rod ends without messing up the rubber boots?
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 23,283
Likes: 906
From: Lake Elsinore, CA
You need a lot more room than that to get the damper off/on. If you were just going to pin it I'd say you might be able to move it enough to get at it but you need to have the radiator out of the way to get a puller on to the pulley and the rack needs to pushed out of the way towards the passenger side out the wheel well if you want to leave it partially in the engine bay.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 23,283
Likes: 906
From: Lake Elsinore, CA
This is assuming you have the use of a lift although it's doable (but a PITA) on jackstands. You'll need to remove the wheels, move the steering cooler tube, move the steering shaft coupler, take out the hydraulic fittings/lines on the steering box, remove the bolts holding the ABS bracket, remove the tie-rod ends from the knuckles, unbolt the sway bar brackets and move the sway bar out of the way, remove the steering rack bolts, loosen the crossmember nuts until 1 hread is showing and pry the crossmember down (optional, I've found) and move the rack over to the passenger side. That's pretty much the main parts from memory. But you still need to deal with the lack of clearance in front of the radiator to get the pulley off.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 132
Likes: 1
Thanks for the feed back.
I have access to a complete auto shop. Military self help shop. They seem to have it all...racks, tools, pullers, etc.
Do you use a pickle fork to remove the tie rod ends???
I have access to a complete auto shop. Military self help shop. They seem to have it all...racks, tools, pullers, etc.
Do you use a pickle fork to remove the tie rod ends???
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 23,283
Likes: 906
From: Lake Elsinore, CA
There is a special GM tool that pushes the tie-rod out of the knuckle but I didn't need it on the three racks I've pulled. It can be a pain to get the nut loose initially sometimes using an allen key and a wrench. Once we used an impact socket and it spun right off. The next time, no dice but eventually it came out.
