Help: Removing AIR pump & Steering rack
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 9,844
Likes: 33
From: S. FLA :: Professional Devil's Advocate
Help: Removing AIR pump & Steering rack
Removing AIR pump
The air system is not hooked up and has been coded out but from some reason the previous owner decided to leave the pump and hoses in place.
I removed the access panel and removed 2 of the 3 bolts holding the bracket & pump in place. How do I get to the third bolt on the far corner up top by the electrical connector? I have the front nose on the car and everything. You can't even see it and you can barely feel it.
Moving the steering rack
Doing a cam swap and everything is out of the front of the car. The steering rack is unbolted from the endlinks and the mounts to the crossmember. But it will not budge. In theory, you're supposed to be able to lift the rack up a few inches and out of the mounts, then slide it out. I think I may have DRM bushings or similar cause they're strong. I tried putting a crowbar in from the underside of the car, then using a scissor jack pumping up. I figured that would push it up and out but it only lifted the entire car
, mind you when I did this the bolts were completely removed so the entire front end of the car was supported by nothing but the bushings. I hit it with some PB blaster and left it overnight. But assuming that doesn't work, anyone have some tips on how to move it?
The air system is not hooked up and has been coded out but from some reason the previous owner decided to leave the pump and hoses in place.
I removed the access panel and removed 2 of the 3 bolts holding the bracket & pump in place. How do I get to the third bolt on the far corner up top by the electrical connector? I have the front nose on the car and everything. You can't even see it and you can barely feel it. Moving the steering rack
Doing a cam swap and everything is out of the front of the car. The steering rack is unbolted from the endlinks and the mounts to the crossmember. But it will not budge. In theory, you're supposed to be able to lift the rack up a few inches and out of the mounts, then slide it out. I think I may have DRM bushings or similar cause they're strong. I tried putting a crowbar in from the underside of the car, then using a scissor jack pumping up. I figured that would push it up and out but it only lifted the entire car
, mind you when I did this the bolts were completely removed so the entire front end of the car was supported by nothing but the bushings. I hit it with some PB blaster and left it overnight. But assuming that doesn't work, anyone have some tips on how to move it?
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,765
Likes: 2
From: St. Clair Shores Mi
1 - for air pump - i found it easier to just remove front bumper, i couldn't get my hands in there.
2 - did you remove/disconnect the power steering lines and steering shaft clamp? when i did mine, i loosened the 4 cradle nuts down to where they didn't show any thread on the studs, then used a chisel or anything to put pressure on cradle to push/keep it down. Use a pry bar under steering rack and cause it to lift, then slide out driver side.
2 - did you remove/disconnect the power steering lines and steering shaft clamp? when i did mine, i loosened the 4 cradle nuts down to where they didn't show any thread on the studs, then used a chisel or anything to put pressure on cradle to push/keep it down. Use a pry bar under steering rack and cause it to lift, then slide out driver side.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 9,844
Likes: 33
From: S. FLA :: Professional Devil's Advocate
1 - for air pump - i found it easier to just remove front bumper, i couldn't get my hands in there.
2 - did you remove/disconnect the power steering lines and steering shaft clamp? when i did mine, i loosened the 4 cradle nuts down to where they didn't show any thread on the studs, then used a chisel or anything to put pressure on cradle to push/keep it down. Use a pry bar under steering rack and cause it to lift, then slide out driver side.
2 - did you remove/disconnect the power steering lines and steering shaft clamp? when i did mine, i loosened the 4 cradle nuts down to where they didn't show any thread on the studs, then used a chisel or anything to put pressure on cradle to push/keep it down. Use a pry bar under steering rack and cause it to lift, then slide out driver side.
The lines and steering wheel to rack connection is off as well.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 9,844
Likes: 33
From: S. FLA :: Professional Devil's Advocate
What the deuce, man. I'm trying to get the rack out again today. I got the drivers side up, but the passenger side is insane. I built a 'bridge' piece, 2 jackstands on each side, bar through the middle so I could put perfectly vertical force on the rack. Once again, with no bolt in the hole, the entire car was lifted. The bushings alone are supporting the front half of the cars weight. I even tried jumping on the passenger side fender to get it to push down. Nothing...
I tried an air chisel as well, it scuffed the paint on the rack and that was about it.
I tried an air chisel as well, it scuffed the paint on the rack and that was about it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,011
Likes: 9
From: Dublin GA
Dang;
As far as the air pump, there's really nothing to it. Mine was "tune out" a couple years ago, so when I was installing my dual intercoolers, I just removed it. You probably need to pull the bottom covers off the drivers side nose(sorry not sure what they're called) and when you do, the pump is sitting under the headlight against the inner frame. Remove the three (I think)bolts and it will pull right out. It literally took less then 5 mins. to remove
As far as the rack, can you drive a thin blade screwdriver in from the side between the mounting "ears" and the rack bushing to possibly break it loose. I just did mine and I just pushed it up with my hand, so something doesn't seem right
As far as the air pump, there's really nothing to it. Mine was "tune out" a couple years ago, so when I was installing my dual intercoolers, I just removed it. You probably need to pull the bottom covers off the drivers side nose(sorry not sure what they're called) and when you do, the pump is sitting under the headlight against the inner frame. Remove the three (I think)bolts and it will pull right out. It literally took less then 5 mins. to remove
As far as the rack, can you drive a thin blade screwdriver in from the side between the mounting "ears" and the rack bushing to possibly break it loose. I just did mine and I just pushed it up with my hand, so something doesn't seem right
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 9,844
Likes: 33
From: S. FLA :: Professional Devil's Advocate
Finally got that M'fer off.
For those that may have a similar problem or search this in the future:
Once I got the rack out and took a look at the design of the bushings, I see what may have been causing my problem. There are 2 rubber pieces on each side and a small hollow metal tube between them. The metal tube is where the bolt threads through to mount it. Trouble is that metal tube can move freely into and out of the bushings. In other words, the bushings don't have any sort of lip or cover that would keep that hollow piece from sliding out and catching on the steering rack mounts on the crossmember.
I also see on one side of the crossmember steering rack mounts there were some metal shavings and scratching. So clearing that piece got a little out of wack somewhere along the line and caught.
What I did was, once again built a small bridge and jack the rack up a bit so the cars weight was supported by it. Then with a crowbar I wedged it under the far side between the mount and passenger fender. I hammered at this a few times and it finally slid out. Also, I re-threaded the bolt on the driver side steering rack mount to make sure all the weight was on the one side.
For those that may have a similar problem or search this in the future:
Once I got the rack out and took a look at the design of the bushings, I see what may have been causing my problem. There are 2 rubber pieces on each side and a small hollow metal tube between them. The metal tube is where the bolt threads through to mount it. Trouble is that metal tube can move freely into and out of the bushings. In other words, the bushings don't have any sort of lip or cover that would keep that hollow piece from sliding out and catching on the steering rack mounts on the crossmember.
I also see on one side of the crossmember steering rack mounts there were some metal shavings and scratching. So clearing that piece got a little out of wack somewhere along the line and caught.
What I did was, once again built a small bridge and jack the rack up a bit so the cars weight was supported by it. Then with a crowbar I wedged it under the far side between the mount and passenger fender. I hammered at this a few times and it finally slid out. Also, I re-threaded the bolt on the driver side steering rack mount to make sure all the weight was on the one side.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,189
Likes: 4
From: Freeport, FL
Just curious, and to kinda "butt in", I did a search on how-to remove the AIR system from my 01 Vette and I found this thread. So, not to sound dumb or like I haven't taken the time to read this thread, but are you guys removing your AIR system?
If so, what parts exactly are you removing, and does anything need to be done to prevent any possible codes from appearing?
Thanks
If so, what parts exactly are you removing, and does anything need to be done to prevent any possible codes from appearing?
Thanks
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 756
Likes: 1
From: Oakton Virginia
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 11,152
Likes: 890
From: South Western Ontario
FYI, that tube in the bushing is so the bolt can be torqued down without squishing the mounting ears together and damaging them. You could have tried to spread those ears a little and that might have loosened it up.
Peter
Peter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 756
Likes: 1
From: Oakton Virginia
Just curious, and to kinda "butt in", I did a search on how-to remove the AIR system from my 01 Vette and I found this thread. So, not to sound dumb or like I haven't taken the time to read this thread, but are you guys removing your AIR system?
If so, what parts exactly are you removing, and does anything need to be done to prevent any possible codes from appearing?
Thanks
If so, what parts exactly are you removing, and does anything need to be done to prevent any possible codes from appearing?
Thanks
