steering rack replacement

[dragracer969]

I was wondering if anyone has replaced their rack and pinion before and if they could tell me about how long it took and if there is any tips/tricks I need to know that would make it easier. Thank you

 

[danny_holtermann]

Talk to topher, he just did his

 

[GMAN]

Again, these are one of the parts that I've never had to change on the five Marks I've owned. What is so drastically wrong that you've determined that the problem is the rack?

 

[dragracer969]

I've got power steering fluid leaking out of both ends of the rack, where the inner tie rods go in.

 

[kustomizingkid]

I just did one last Monday, took me about 3 hours start to finish. My only suggestions are to clean the kframe around where the lines are with some degreaser... the one I did was dirty as hell which was very annoying. Other than that have fun, its a bitch.

 

[billcu]

I did this twice, here's what I did:

Disconnect the rag joint (tape or lock the steering wheel so it doesn't turn and break the clockspring when the rag joint is disconnected).

Disconnect the tie rods.

Remove the 2 rack mounting bolts.

With everything disconnected, you can move the rack around enough to easily get to the line fittings and remove them.

 

[dragracer969]

ok thanks for the info everyone, I just gotta get a free day and do it. i figure i can rough in the alignment with a tape measure so i can drive it to a shop to get it realigned

 

[2000Lincolns]

I am having the hardest time getting to the 2 line fittings going to the top of the rack. I can barely get a wrench in there to even grab the fittings. I even removed the oil filter to try to get to it from the other side.

Should I be able to pull it down enough to get it from the bottom? Or the back of the k-member?

 

[kustomizingkid]

Pull the rack down... then it is fairly easy to get to the lines.

 

[CobraStar_LS8]

I got a leak at the high pressure elbow going into the rack and I tried breaking loose the mounting bolts for the steering rack with an impact today but it ain't budging...how are you guys getting the bolts loose???...i gave up to a point where i just stare off underneath with a flash light looking for leaks and rust areas

 

[topher5150]

I got a leak at the high pressure elbow going into the rack and I tried breaking loose the mounting bolts for the steering rack with an impact today but it ain't budging...how are you guys getting the bolts loose???...i gave up to a point where i just stare off underneath with a flash light looking for leaks and rust areas

I used a breaker bar and a four foot piece of pipe and mine is a Michigan car

 

[DLF]

Try removing the nuts (24mm, I believe) through the holes in the rear of the k-member instead of the the bolts.

 

[CobraStar_LS8]

thanks guys....i used a 24mm wrench on the rear passenger side and a 24mm long socket with a 3" extension and a breaker bar on the rear driver's side...i was able to get the steering wheel held tightly in place with the seat belt also..it was pretty easy