Steering rack instalation/removal
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,736
Likes: 7
From: Redding CA
Do a search using Bill Curlees name on swapping a harmonic balancer or steering rack. It may be about a cam swap but I'm pretty sure it was the balancer.
Anyway, the rack isn't very difficult to pull off. It's a very straightforward job.
Anyway, the rack isn't very difficult to pull off. It's a very straightforward job.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,809
Likes: 3
From: Yorktown Virginia
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
It's not all that difficult. You will need a set of flair nut wrenches for the hydraulic lines. You only need to remove the two main ones on the top of the hydraulic housing.
Dont loose the rubber bushings or steel bushing that mounts the rack on the passengers side.
DONT force the aluminum tabs the the bushing mounts in. They break easily if bent.
Some people have to loosen the K member bolts to completly remove the rack. I did NOT on my 02 ZO6.
BC
Dont loose the rubber bushings or steel bushing that mounts the rack on the passengers side.
DONT force the aluminum tabs the the bushing mounts in. They break easily if bent.
Some people have to loosen the K member bolts to completly remove the rack. I did NOT on my 02 ZO6.
BC
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 3,266
Likes: 8
From: Indian Rocks Beach FL
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10
I would recommend that you use crows foot wrenches in place of flare nut wrenches for the lines.
Also, when you start the rack back into the mounting ears on the passenger side, the rubber bushing has a tendency to fold over on it's self. You need to reach behind the rack and make sure the bushing is starting in the ear before you put much force on it.
Also, when you start the rack back into the mounting ears on the passenger side, the rubber bushing has a tendency to fold over on it's self. You need to reach behind the rack and make sure the bushing is starting in the ear before you put much force on it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,315
Likes: 17
From: Near Jacksonville Fl.
Also, when you start the rack back into the mounting ears on the passenger side, the rubber bushing has a tendency to fold over on it's self. You need to reach behind the rack and make sure the bushing is starting in the ear before you put much force on it.
I spray the rubber bushings with silcone spray before reinstalling and it will eliminate this problem.
I spray the rubber bushings with silcone spray before reinstalling and it will eliminate this problem.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,011
Likes: 9
From: Dublin GA
I got it out easy enough, but when I tried to get it back in, I needed to be in two places at the same time
Expect the worse and hope for the best and you should be ok.
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Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,809
Likes: 3
From: Yorktown Virginia
I'm the wet rag here, but it was an AWFUL job for me (by myself), and I've done almost every mod you can do to one of these cars. I got it out easy enough, but when I tried to get it back in, I needed to be in two places at the same time
Expect the worse and hope for the best and you should be ok.
I got it out easy enough, but when I tried to get it back in, I needed to be in two places at the same timeExpect the worse and hope for the best and you should be ok.
Also I assume that I have to keep the wheels from turning along with the steering wheel.
Anyone have any sugestions on how to keep them from turning or do I just need to be extra careful?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,736
Likes: 7
From: Redding CA
post up if you need any help man.
you got the right idea just taking a day and devoting it to the job. it'll probably go quicker if you don't put yourself on a time table...
on the steering wheel...i was just very careful not to bump the wheels/steering wheel. It'll take a little effort to turn even with the front end off the ground so as long as you don't kick the wheel or something while you're messing w/ the rack..you'll be fine..
wait for a response from Bill or AIG as they may have some better advice for a way to hold the steering wheel(there's a tool that we had at the place I was working at the time I had mine off) it's a tool that's used for alignments but I wouldn't buy one unless you plan on doing this stuff often(waste of 30-40 bucks imo) i'd rather buy the flair nut wrenches if I was looking for an excuse to buy a tool..lol
you got the right idea just taking a day and devoting it to the job. it'll probably go quicker if you don't put yourself on a time table...
on the steering wheel...i was just very careful not to bump the wheels/steering wheel. It'll take a little effort to turn even with the front end off the ground so as long as you don't kick the wheel or something while you're messing w/ the rack..you'll be fine..
wait for a response from Bill or AIG as they may have some better advice for a way to hold the steering wheel(there's a tool that we had at the place I was working at the time I had mine off) it's a tool that's used for alignments but I wouldn't buy one unless you plan on doing this stuff often(waste of 30-40 bucks imo) i'd rather buy the flair nut wrenches if I was looking for an excuse to buy a tool..lol
Last edited by 00Corvette; Jul 28, 2010 at 09:31 PM.
Racer
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 300
Likes: 1
From: rochester new york
I'm the wet rag here, but it was an AWFUL job for me (by myself), and I've done almost every mod you can do to one of these cars. I got it out easy enough, but when I tried to get it back in, I needed to be in two places at the same time
Expect the worse and hope for the best and you should be ok.
I got it out easy enough, but when I tried to get it back in, I needed to be in two places at the same timeExpect the worse and hope for the best and you should be ok.
Your car looks mean ....
got any better pix ..??
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 756
Likes: 1
From: Oakton Virginia
I'm the wet rag here, but it was an AWFUL job for me (by myself), and I've done almost every mod you can do to one of these cars. I got it out easy enough, but when I tried to get it back in, I needed to be in two places at the same time
Expect the worse and hope for the best and you should be ok.
I got it out easy enough, but when I tried to get it back in, I needed to be in two places at the same timeExpect the worse and hope for the best and you should be ok.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,809
Likes: 3
From: Yorktown Virginia
Is there anything else I need to remove to get the rack out of the car. I didnt really look when I was under there, I was just escited it wasnt comming from the block.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,172
Likes: 71
From: MA
The brake ABS unit is attached to the rack. You have to unbolt it, take off the bracket and raise the unit. I tied mine up to the alternator.
If you have a manual, I suggest that you read it. I think that you have to lower the front cross member to get it out. The manual will tell you by how much.
The hydraulic lines are a PITA! Mine were way over tightened by GM.
If you have a manual, I suggest that you read it. I think that you have to lower the front cross member to get it out. The manual will tell you by how much.
The hydraulic lines are a PITA! Mine were way over tightened by GM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,809
Likes: 3
From: Yorktown Virginia
The brake ABS unit is attached to the rack. You have to unbolt it, take off the bracket and raise the unit. I tied mine up to the alternator.
If you have a manual, I suggest that you read it. I think that you have to lower the front cross member to get it out. The manual will tell you by how much.
The hydraulic lines are a PITA! Mine were way over tightened by GM.
If you have a manual, I suggest that you read it. I think that you have to lower the front cross member to get it out. The manual will tell you by how much.
The hydraulic lines are a PITA! Mine were way over tightened by GM.
Last edited by m6 c5; Jul 29, 2010 at 12:06 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,736
Likes: 7
From: Redding CA
soak those bolts in some PB or the like...the lowering ones.
calipers...pull harder or get some more leverage. those bolts can handle it, just don't round it off and make sure you have the right size weapon
calipers...pull harder or get some more leverage. those bolts can handle it, just don't round it off and make sure you have the right size weapon