so on my 97 GC i need to replace my rack and ive gotten a cpl pix but cant seem to get a detailed set of instructions.....so is chilton the best way to go?

 

STEERING GEAR

NOTE: The power steering gear should NOT be serviced or adjusted. If a malfunction or oil leak occurs, the complete steering gear assembly must be replaced.
REMOVE

CAUTION: Positioning the steering column in the locked position will prevent the clockspring from being accidentally over-extended when the steering column is disconnected from the intermediate steering coupler.

1. Remove cap from power steering fluid reservoir.
2. Using a siphon pump, remove as much power steering fluid as possible from the power steering fluid reservoir.
3. With the ignition key in the locked position turn the steering wheel to the left until the steering wheel is in the locked position.
4. With the vehicle on the ground, disconnect the steering column shaft coupler from the steering gear intermediate coupler
5. Raise vehicle on jack stands or centered on a frame contact type hoist. See Hoisting in the Lubrication and Maintenance section of this service manual, for the required lifting procedure to be used for this vehicle.
6. Remove the front tires.
7. Raise the heat sleeve on the power steering return hose to expose the return hose to steel tube connection. Remove the return hose from the metal tube of the power steering fluid return line. Then allow the remaining power steering fluid to drain from the system through the hose and metal tube.
8. Remove nut attaching outer tie rod end to steering knuckle Nut is to be removed from tie rod end using the following procedure, hold tie rod end stud with a 11/32 socket while loosening and removing nut with wrench.
9. Remove both tie rod ends from steering knuckles, using Puller Special Tool MB-990635 or MB-991113
10. Remove the 2 bolts and loosen the third attaching the antilock brakes hydraulic control unit (HCU) to the front suspension cradle. Then rotate the HCU rearward to allow access to the cradle plate attaching nut and bolt just forward of the HCU.
11. Remove the 10 nuts and bolts attaching the cradle plate to the bottom of the front suspension cradle. Then remove the cradle plate from the cradle.
12. Remove the bracket attaching the power steering fluid tubes to the front suspension cradle.
13. Using a 18mm crowfoot, remove the power steering fluid pressure and return lines from the power steering gear.
14. Remove the 3 bolts and nuts mounting the steering gear to the front suspension cradle.

NOTE: The next step must be done to allow the removal of the steering gear from the front suspension cradle. The steering gear can not be removed from the vehicle with the intermediate coupler attached to the steering gear.

1. Lower steering gear from suspension cradle enough to allow access to the intermediate coupler roll pin. Install Remover/Installer Special Tool 6831A through the center of the roll pin, securing with the knurled nut. Hold threaded rod stationary while turning nut, this will pull the roll pin out of the intermediate coupler.
2. Separate the intermediate coupler from the shaft of the steering gear.
3. Remove the steering gear assembly from the front suspension cradle.

INSTALL

1. Install the steering gear up in the front suspension cradle, leaving room to install intermediate coupler.
2. Start the roll pin into the intermediate coupler before installing coupler on steering gear shaft. Start roll pin into coupler, using a hammer and tapping it into the coupler. Then install the intermediate coupler on the shaft of the steering gear.
3. Install Remover/Installer Special Tool 6831A through the center of the roll pin, securing it with the knurled nut. Hold threaded rod stationary while turning nut, this will pull the roll pin into the intermediate coupler.
4. Install steering gear assembly on the front suspension cradle. Install the 3 steering gear to front suspension cradle mounting bolts and nuts CAUTION: Proper torque on the steering gear to suspension cradle mounting bolts is very important.
5. Tighten the 3 steering gear to suspension cradle mounting bolts to a torque of 183 N·m (135 ft. lbs.)
6. Attach the power steering fluid pressure and return lines to the proper fittings on the steering gear. Tighten the power steering fluid line tube nuts to a torque of 31 N·m (275 in. lbs.)
7. Install tie rod end into steering knuckle. Start tie rod end to steering knuckle attaching nut onto stud of tie rod end. While holding stud of tie rod end stationary using a 11/32 socket, tighten tie rod end to steering knuckle attaching nut. Then using a crowfoot and 11/32 socket , tighten the tie rod end attaching nut to a torque of 54 N·m (40 ft. lbs.) CAUTION: Proper torque on the cradle plate to suspension cradle mounting bolts is very important.
8. Install cradle plate on front suspension cradle and then install the 10 cradle plate to cradle attaching bolts. Tighten the 9 M-14 attaching bolts to a torque of 165 N·m (123 ft. lbs.) Tighten the 1 M-12 attaching bolt to a torque of 108 N·m (80 ft. lbs.)
9. Install the bracket attaching the power steering fluid tubes to the front suspension cradle.
10. Install the power steering fluid return hose on the steel tube at the front suspension cradle
11. Install a screw type hose clamp on the power steering hose to steel tube connection. Be sure hose clamp is installed on return tube past the upset bead on the tube. Tighten the screw clamp to a torque of 2 N·m (18 in. lbs.) CAUTION: The protective heat shield sleeves must cover the entire rubber hose and hose to tube connection portion of both the power steering fluid pressure and return hoses. This is required to prevent the power steering hoses from being overheated.
12. When used, properly position the protective heat sleeves on the power steering hoses. Then, tie strap the heat sleeves to the power steering hoses to keep them in their proper position.
13. Install the front tire and wheel assemblies on vehicle. Install the wheel lug nuts and torque to 129 N·m (95 ft. lbs.)
14. Lower the vehicle to a level were the interior of vehicle is accessible.
15. Using the intermediate coupler, turn the front wheels of the vehicle to the left until the intermediate coupler shaft is properly aligned with the steering column coupler. Assemble the steering column shaft coupler onto the steering gear intermediate coupler. Install steering column coupler to intermediate shaft retaining pinch bolt. Tighten the pinch bolt nut to a torque of 28 N·m (250 in. lbs.) CAUTION: Do not use automatic transmission fluid in the power steering system. Only use Mopar, Power Steering Fluid or an exact equivalent product.
16. Fill power steering pump fluid reservoir to the proper level.
17. Start the engine and let run for a few seconds. Then turn the engine off.
18. Add fluid if necessary. Repeat the above procedure until the fluid level remains constant after running the engine.
19. Raise front wheels of vehicle off the ground.
20. Start the engine. Slowly turn the steering wheel right and left, lightly contacting the wheel stops. Then turn the engine off.
21. Add power steering fluid if necessary.
22. Lower the vehicle and turn the steering wheel slowly from lock to lock.
23. Stop the engine. Check the fluid level and refill as required.
24. If the fluid is extremely foamy, allow the vehicle to stand a few minutes and repeat the above procedure.
25. Fill power steering reservoir to correct level with Mopar®, Power Steering Fluid, or equivalent.
26. Adjust toe (Refer touspension)

 

is there a way to do this w/o this tool...i dont have extra hundred bux to get this tool....

 

It's just a roll pin, I use an air hammer with a punch. I'm sure a hammer and punch would work. Here's a picture with the special tool, but it shows you what it looks like.

 

so what years are compatible with the 97 for the rack and pinion? ima pick on up outa the junk yard...my thought is if there is a wide range of years i can get a newer one to make sure it lasts....

 

www.car-part.com has all the answers for you.

 

tyvm.....i didnt know how accurate that site was....

 

Well, it's based from Hollander exchange manuals. The leader in auto salvage interchangeabilities. They are probably more accurate than most people on here. I'm surprised with all the issues you've been having with your van, you'd know that gen3 vans 1996-2000 are pretty much identical all around. You can also go to www.napaonline.com and often when you look up a part, it will state the application (make, model, year) that the part fits.

 

well i wasnt aware....but now i know......and after this rack is fixed my van will be ok...well cept for my water leaking issue.....comes into the heater box behind the glove box? can hear it sloshing after a heavy rain.......but thats a subject for another thread...one problem at a time....

 

What isn't wrong with your van? That water problem is because the drain hoses are plugged in the wiper module. There are 2 hoses next to each strut tower.