Steering Rack Install, Tips or Tricks Options

[DennisV]

Are there any tips or tricks to reinstalling the steering rack?

I rebuilt ours and attempted to get it back in over the weekend. I could never get the shaft from the steering rack to align well enough with the universal joint to insert it. I was in the passenger compartment and had a helper under the car supporting the rack. With the bellows, gasket, etc. on there it took a little bit of effort to hold it up far enough to meet the bottom of the knuckle joint. The joint is still attached to the upper shaft connected to the steering wheel.

Nothing on the rack other than what is shown. The bolt is out of the universal joint. The gas tank is out. The bearing support bracket (in the gas tank area) is removed. All of the suspension is out. So the only thing I'm really contending with in terms of clearance is the brake master cylinder.

Is this just a try, try again scenario, or am I overlooking something? Seems like it should be a 10 minute job.

[DennisV]

Finally got this installed, after a lot of grief. A couple things I learned that might help someone else.

1. Mount the bearing to the bracket before trying to install the shaft to the knuckle. This was counterintuitive to me. I thought having some free play would make it easier. Having the bearing installed actually acts as a guide to align the shaft.
2. The collar can't be inserted between the floorboard and the bearing after it's installed. You need to fit the collar to the bearing, then install the bearing.
3. Check to make sure the shaft splines don't have any burs. This is probably pretty obvious to most people, but I overlooked it and I'm sure it made things harder.
4. If you have a lift to get the car up in the air and a transmission jack to support the steering rack, it will make life a lot easier.

I don't know how folks do this on the ground by themselves?!
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)

[rjames]

Finally got this installed, after a lot of grief. A couple things I learned that might help someone else.

1. Mount the bearing to the bracket before trying to install the shaft to the knuckle. This was counterintuitive to me. I thought having some free play would make it easier. Having the bearing installed actually acts as a guide to align the shaft.
2. The collar can't be inserted between the floorboard and the bearing after it's installed. You need to fit the collar to the bearing, then install the bearing.
3. Check to make sure the shaft splines don't have any burs. This is probably pretty obvious to most people, but I overlooked it and I'm sure it made things harder.
4. If you have a lift to get the car up in the air and a transmission jack to support the steering rack, it will make life a lot easier.

I don't know how folks do this on the ground by themselves?!
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)

It's probably doable solo with a jack, but I couldn't make it happen. After I had a helper, it only took a few minutes to get the splines in the knuckles. Unfortunately, I thought we had it centered, but after my helper left I found out later that wasn't the case. Thankfully, I was able to move it over a spline or two myself.

Installing the bearing to the shaft ahead of time is a must. I think got it all aligned and then installed the metal collar.