Replacing Steering Rack
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 2,614
Likes: 1,362
From: Orange County, CA
It's certainly highly recommended.
However, there's a chance it might work out without needing one... assuming the tie rods are detached from the uprights and then unscrewed from the rack and transferred over to the new rack, and the new rack is nearly the same as the old one (in terms of manufacturing tolerances), then it wouldn't need an alignment. But I wouldn't count on the new rack matching the old... you won't know either way until the new rack goes in.
However, there's a chance it might work out without needing one... assuming the tie rods are detached from the uprights and then unscrewed from the rack and transferred over to the new rack, and the new rack is nearly the same as the old one (in terms of manufacturing tolerances), then it wouldn't need an alignment. But I wouldn't count on the new rack matching the old... you won't know either way until the new rack goes in.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 343
Likes: 114
From: Dawsonville Ga
I look at it this way…the alignment is much more affordable than a new set of front tires. Why chance it?
Your dealing with a 15+ year old vehicle. A $75 alignment might just do your car some good, or possibly uncover other underlying issues that need addressing such as ball joints, etc. I consider an alignment necessary maintenance.
Your dealing with a 15+ year old vehicle. A $75 alignment might just do your car some good, or possibly uncover other underlying issues that need addressing such as ball joints, etc. I consider an alignment necessary maintenance.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 12,795
Likes: 4,614
It's certainly highly recommended.
However, there's a chance it might work out without needing one... assuming the tie rods are detached from the uprights and then unscrewed from the rack and transferred over to the new rack, and the new rack is nearly the same as the old one (in terms of manufacturing tolerances), then it wouldn't need an alignment. But I wouldn't count on the new rack matching the old... you won't know either way until the new rack goes in.
However, there's a chance it might work out without needing one... assuming the tie rods are detached from the uprights and then unscrewed from the rack and transferred over to the new rack, and the new rack is nearly the same as the old one (in terms of manufacturing tolerances), then it wouldn't need an alignment. But I wouldn't count on the new rack matching the old... you won't know either way until the new rack goes in.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 2,614
Likes: 1,362
From: Orange County, CA
OP's situation is a little different since it's not the same rack going back in.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,373
Likes: 423
I didn't. Everything was fine but I noticed the passenger side tie rod grease cup was bad and the tie rod was "looser" than the driver's side. I installed a new one a few months later and then I had to do a shade tree alignment on that one.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 12,795
Likes: 4,614
I look at it this way…the alignment is much more affordable than a new set of front tires. Why chance it?
Your dealing with a 15+ year old vehicle. A $75 alignment might just do your car some good, or possibly uncover other underlying issues that need addressing such as ball joints, etc. I consider an alignment necessary maintenance.
Your dealing with a 15+ year old vehicle. A $75 alignment might just do your car some good, or possibly uncover other underlying issues that need addressing such as ball joints, etc. I consider an alignment necessary maintenance.
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Racer
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 343
Likes: 114
From: Dawsonville Ga
What you've posted makes good sense. I've even lucky....Most of the time. I've always removed the rack by loosening the nuts on the tie rods, then driving them out of the knuckle. Then pulling the rack. That method may maintain better alignment. But I think your post makes a lot of sense!