steering rack

Taz's Master · 02-11-2005, 11:46 AM

My rack has gone south, and I'm in the process of swapping in the rack from my parts car. I'm having trouble getting the lower universal free from the splined shaft of the steering box itself. The bolt is out, it has soaked in PB Blaster for a week, I've pried against the box and tried separating what the bolt tightens together. My next step is a pickle fork (tie rod end separator), any tips or reccomendations to get the rack loose? I'm really getting frusterated.

tifosiman · tifosiman's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by Taz's Master
My rack has gone south, and I'm in the process of swapping in the rack from my parts car. I'm having trouble getting the lower universal free from the splined shaft of the steering box itself. The bolt is out, it has soaked in PB Blaster for a week, I've pried against the box and tried separating what the bolt tightens together. My next step is a pickle fork (tie rod end separator), any tips or reccomendations to get the rack loose? I'm really getting frusterated.

What did you use to separate the pinch-end on the U-joint? A big flathead screwdriver normally works. If that didn't work, you could find a big screw and screw it into the gap to act as a spreader wedge.

If all of the above fails, you could remove the steering shaft at the u-joint near the firewall, drop the whole thing out, and replace the whole thing including the shaft from your parts car.

Good luck!

SidVicious · 02-11-2005, 01:15 PM

I had to do as tifo suggests. Sometimes separating those two can be a PITA, you just have to keep at it. Even when using a screwdriver to pry the yoke, it took awhile.

SoCal Driver · SoCal Driver's Garage

Drive a chisle into the split in the u-joint housing. An old srcrew driver blade would work too.

jm951 · 02-11-2005, 02:59 PM

Hate to ask this, but did you completely remove the bolt in the joint?

Taz's Master · 02-11-2005, 05:29 PM

jm951, with me, never hesitate to question whether I've done the basic obvious steps, but in this case, yes (my parts rack was removed first, it was easier as the engine was gone) the bolt is out. Now so is the rack!

Thanks for the prompt and sound advice. The chisel did the trick, I just needed to be sufficiently frusterated to attain the proper level of enthusiasim while wielding the hammer. Thanks again, you guys are golden.

SoCal Driver · SoCal Driver's Garage

The Larger Hammer usually works.

Taz's Master · 02-23-2005, 06:22 PM

OK I'm involved in the reassembly now. As per Clark's I have a bolt holding my rack on center, and I installed passenger side of the rack, and mated the shaft to the universal (which gave me so much trouble in disassembly). I had my 3yr old hold my steering wheel straight, but when I centered the split on the flat part of the shaft, my steering wheel moved approx 1/3 turn. I have the bolt through the universal, so the universal is on the shaft correctly (I understand the bolt will not install if the universal is not lined up on the shaft properly), but the wheel seems to be off quite a bit. Should I be concerned?

garthfan0523 · 02-23-2005, 06:31 PM

Quote:

I have the bolt through the universal, so the universal is on the shaft correctly (I understand the bolt will not install if the universal is not lined up on the shaft properly), but the wheel seems to be off quite a bit. Should I be concerned?

Nah,

The beauty of replacing the entire steering rack is that you can pretty much line everything up where you want it. You've got the universal on properly, so just bolt everything together nice and tight and then do this: Disregarding the actual position of your steering wheel, center your wheels by turning the steering wheel all the way to one side, then counting the number of full revolutions back to the other side. Then turn back once more exactly HALF that amount. Pop the steering wheel and put it back on in a nice upright position.

That'll get you close and once you actually drive it, you can always determine if you need to move it a spline or two or three in the other direction to get it centered right.

I'll probably get flamed for suggesting this "backyard" approach, but I've done it on numerous vehicles including my 924S and it's worked every time so I'm sure it'll work for you, too. Good luck!