Steering rack removal trouble...

[Danrc30]

Right now I'm trying to get the power steering rack out, but it's not cooperating. Everything is disconnected except for the steering column. Both bolts are out of the universal joint, but it just won't come out. Suggestions?
Modified by Danrc30 at 11:48 PM 5/6/2008

[OldmanPurdy]

Usually you need to put something (thin piece of metal or whatever tool that fits) between the tabs where the pinch bolt was and bang on it with a hammer to loosen it enough to get off the rack.

[niemczykj]

^^ yup... just have at it, hitting it and prying the peices apart... idk if this will easy to set up back together, but if u can, lower the car to the ground, from the top try to pry the pieces apart, and have someone try to turn the steering wheel?

[Danrc30]

^^ yup... just have at it, hitting it and prying the peices apart... idk if this will easy to set up back together, but if u can, lower the car to the ground, from the top try to pry the pieces apart, and have someone try to turn the steering wheel?

Wedges and hitting didn't work. So I sat back and thought about it... and I solved it. I put the bolt in from the threaded side and put it through with a washer in the split-groove. The pressure from the bolt hitting the washer pushed the ears apart enough to loosen it up for it to be removed once I backed the bolt out. I had to do it to the top and the bottom. This sucker was really on there...

So, the rack is out. YAY!!!!! Now to put the better rack in with fresh boots, Tein rods and ends.

[niemczykj]

see now theres some problem solving at its best... good work and gl

[OldmanPurdy]

Wedges and hitting didn't work. So I sat back and thought about it... and I solved it. I put the bolt in from the threaded side and put it through with a washer in the split-groove. The pressure from the bolt hitting the washer pushed the ears apart enough to loosen it up for it to be removed once I backed the bolt out. I had to do it to the top and the bottom. This sucker was really on there...

So, the rack is out. YAY!!!!! Now to put the better rack in with fresh boots, Tein rods and ends.

Welp natural born mechanic right here guys Next time I have to yank out a rack i'm doing it that way.

[Danrc30]

Welp natural born mechanic right here guys Next time I have to yank out a rack i'm doing it that way.

Nah... I'm not a mechanic... I'm an engineer... just used a lil common sense is all... Turns out it's a very easy way to break the rack free of a stuck column shaft. Hope it helps others!

[Danrc30]

Well, I'm stumped again... the rack is together, except I can't get the tie rod boots over the part on the rack. They are a lot smaller and seem impossible to stretch over. Is there a trick I don't know about?

[Danrc30]

Well, I'm stumped again... the rack is together, except I can't get the tie rod boots over the part on the rack. They are a lot smaller and seem impossible to stretch over. Is there a trick I don't know about?