rack and pinion replacement

[pgakahuna]

Hey ya'll

I have some front end rattle when going over rough road or bumps. There is some play in rack and pinion and my mechanic say the rest of the front end is tight. How big a deal is it to replace

 

[billcu]

It's not that hard to replace the steering rack but, I'd first make sure that that was your problem.

Some tips I've used:

Disconnect the tie rods, rag joint, and remove the rack mounting bolts before removing the power steering fluid lines. This way you can move the rack around quite a bit for easier access to the fluid line fittings.

Also, don't let the steering wheel turn much when you remove the rag joint. Tape it up or lock it with the key (if you have a gen 1). If you let the wheel turn too much you run the risk of breaking the clockspring in the column.

 

[95blklsc]

For the average person (including myself) it's a PITA to replace. While it isn't completely necessary to lower or remove the subframe it's a terrible job to try to do it this way (been there done that). Lowering the subframe will give you much more access to the rack but you need an engine lift or chainfall at a minimum to hold the engine up while the rack is being replaced. The lines are just so hard to get at without breaking or damaging. I don't reccomend doing this unless you REALLY need to.

 

[SammyK]

It's not that hard to replace.

 

[J]

I have some front end rattle when going over rough road or bumps.

I highly doubt the rack is your issue. If this was the case, you'd feel these bumps in the steering wheel and you'd get a side to side motion.

The rattle you're hearing is most likely the lower control arm ball joints being bad. I'm getting the same noise and this is all I have left to replace. It sounds like a loose liscense plate, or loose metal hubcap?

Also....if its more prominent than that, I'd check your strut rod bushings. The rack/pinion is not a common failure on our cars.