* SOLVED* I'm in a bit of a bind here.

My steering rack failed so I watched several videos, read through the procedure in my Service Manual and thought "Hey this looks easy".

Ordered parts and got to work. Boy was I wrong

What I discovered is that in my 2005 4WD access to the unit is severely compromised by the front differential and so far I can't find away to get at the line fittings with a line wrench. Everything else is disconnected with the arge bolts loose but without removing the lines I can't get the unit out. I did dissconnect them from the cooler and resevoir in hopes I could fish it out all together but no luck.

Truth be told I'm not sure there's clearance even with the lines removed.


The Factory service manual doesn't mention this situation and seems to only show the 2wd procedure. Same situation with every Dakota or Durango video on you tube. Searches on this site haven't helped me find the answer either.

I'm hoping some one else has successfully done this procedure.


2005 Dakota SLT, 4.7 4wd Automatic


Thanks in advance for any help you can offer,

Marc

 

Have a look at .

 

Thanks HeyYou. Watched it and headed out for the second round. The video doesn't address the problem I'm having but he does make mention of it in the notes. Hopefully there's no clearance differences between the 3.7 and 4.7 differential location. Doesn't seem like there should be.

 

the front diff on the 3.7 and 4.7 are the same. the major difference between the two in the front where you are working is the extra block length due to the extra cylinders.

 

Got it out. The trick was not removing the hoses and just bending the metal hose part. Replacement is recommended anyway.
Even after the unit was on the bench a 5 sided line wrench and PB Blaster just destroyed the nut. Winter deicer/salt on the roads here cause a huge problem with corrosion.