How hard is it to change? Looks like you unbolt it, unbolt tie-rod ends and lines and you can slip it out the side providing you remove a tire. Or do you have to drop the bottom motor/tranny brace? Rack is leaking out both sides of the boots.......

 

Yes you need to drop that brace down, the shaft that comes out the top of the rack is around inches long and it won't clear the aluminum housing of the vehicle.

 

how did you make out with your rack change?i need to do 1 in my father in laws 2003 can it be done on the ground?might be too much for a back yard.

 

How do you get to the pin that hlods it to the steering?

Floyd

 

i'd separate the rack from the column from inside the vehicle. and make sure the wheel stays locked to it doesn't spin and screw up the clockspring

 

Thanks

Floyd

 

STEERING GEAR

1. Remove the cap from the power steering fluid reservoir.
2. Using a siphon pump, remove as much fluid as possible from the power steering fluid reservoir. Use care not to damage the filter mesh below the fluid surface.</B> CAUTION: Locking the steering column in the straight-ahead position will prevent the clockspring from being accidentally overextended when the steering column is disconnected from the intermediate steering coupler.
3. Position the steering wheel in the STRAIGHT-AHEAD position. Lock the steering wheel in place using a steering wheel holding tool.
4. Move the carpet away from the dash seal cover at the base of the steering column on the lower dash panel.
5. Remove the screws securing the dash seal cover to the lower dash panel. Lift the dash seal cover from the lower dash panel and position it so the intermediate shaft coupler roll pin can be accessed (Dash Seal Cover).
6. Remove the intermediate shaft coupler roll pin (Intermediate Coupler Roll Pin). To do so, install Remover/Installer, Special Tool 6831A, through the center of the roll pin, securing it with the knurled nut (Removing Roll Pin From Intermediate Coupler). Hold the threaded rod stationary while turning the nut, pulling the roll pin out of the intermediate coupler.
7. Slide the intermediate shaft coupler from the steering gear pinion shaft (Intermediate Coupler Roll Pin).
8. Raise and support the vehicle. (Refer to LUBRICATION & MAINTENANCE/HOISTING - STANDARD PROCEDURE)
9. Remove both front wheel and tire assemblies. (Refer to 22 - TIRES/WHEELS - REMOVAL)
10. If the outer tie rods need to be transferred to a new gear, loosen the tie rod jam nut on both sides of the vehicle.
11. On both sides of the vehicle, remove the nut attaching the outer tie rod end to the steering knuckle (Removing/Installing Tie Rod End Attaching Nut). Remove the nut by holding the tie rod end stud with a socket while loosening and removing the nut with a wrench.</B>
12. On both sides of the vehicle, remove the outer tie rod from the steering knuckle using Puller, Special Tool C-3894–A(Tie Rod Removal With Tool C-3894-A).
13. Pull outward on the right side tie rods (or push inward on left side tie rods) until the internal stop is met. This action to shorten the length of the left side tie rods will be important in removing the gear from the vehicle in later steps.
14. Remove the NVLD assembly. (Refer to 25 - EMISSIONS CONTROL/EVAPORATIVE EMISSIONS/NATURAL VAC LEAK DETECTION ASSY - REMOVAL)
15. Remove the emissions vapor canister. (Refer to 25 - EMISSIONS CONTROL/EVAPORATIVE EMISSIONS/VAPOR CANISTER - REMOVAL)
16. Remove a single hose at the power steering cooler and allow the fluid to drain.
17. Remove two bolts attaching the power steering cooler to the cradle crossmember reinforcement (Power Steering Cooler).
18. Remove the screws fastening the pressure and return hoses to the rear of the cradle crossmember (Hoses To Power Steering Gear - 3.3L/3.8L Engine).
19. Unscrew the tube nuts securing the power steering pressure and return hoses to the power steering gear (Hoses To Power Steering Gear - 3.3L/3.8L Engine). Remove the hoses from the gear.
20. Remove the three bolts and nuts mounting the steering gear to the front suspension cradle crossmember (Steering Gear Mounting To Suspension Cradle).
21. Lower the steering gear far enough for the pinion shaft to clear the cradle crossmember, then shift the entire steering gear assembly toward the passenger side of the vehicle until the left outer tie rod end can be lowered through the center opening in the cradle crossmember reinforcement (Steering Gear Removal/Installation).
22. Remove the steering gear by sliding it down through the opening in the center of the cradle crossmember reinforcement.
23. If necessary, remove the outer tie rod ends from the inner tie rod threads. Count how many rotations it takes to remove each outer tie rod for installation reference. Putting the outer tie rods back on the same distance will get the toe setting somewhat close to specification before the wheel alignment is performed.

 

if you're doing the rack spend the 25.00 and get a new resivour for the power steering fluid so you can put new fluid and a new filter in the system too.

 

i cant get to the bolt on the rack and pinion near the the fluid lines. the nut on top keeps turning and i cant get a wrench on it. any suggestion

 

I use the box end of a 21mm, have no issue.