DrFishbone
SCCoA Member
I just finished instaling a new power steering rack in my wife's SC and just wanted to document these thoughts...maybe someone else can add to them even. Next time I do it, I'll probably look up this post!
First of all...if you're an impatient person, don't try to do it all from underneath the car with the engine completely assembled! You'll break something! (ex: ps fittings, knuckles, windows, drywall) If you plan on taking the engine out...then would be a good time to replace the stinking thing!
I've read a few posts where people had a hard time getting the rack out and a worse time getting it in - how true! If I had it to do over again I would:
1. Clean everything very well before removal or at least before installation
2. Plan on changing at least the oil filter and possibly flushing the coolant
3. Disconnect everything in the vicinity of the fittings
After much struggle removing the dumb thing, I removed the oil filter and unscrewed (but didn't remove) the oil cooler...then the rack came out with some wriggling
After much more struggle getting the rack in, I found everywhere that I could loosen something in the oil filter area to give myself room to work. I didn't want to remove the IC, etc, but I think this may make the job a good deal easier. After getting the PS lines under the oil pan and the wiring harnesses pulled out of the way, and doing a little bending on the tubing to the fitting, I finally safely got the fitting screwed into the rack. (it took me 2.5 hours just to get the highpressure line screwed into the rack!!)
Another idea - with the sway bar removed, this may be easier (if you have small hands) You may be able to reach into the hole where the sway bar passes through.
First of all...if you're an impatient person, don't try to do it all from underneath the car with the engine completely assembled! You'll break something! (ex: ps fittings, knuckles, windows, drywall) If you plan on taking the engine out...then would be a good time to replace the stinking thing!
I've read a few posts where people had a hard time getting the rack out and a worse time getting it in - how true! If I had it to do over again I would:
1. Clean everything very well before removal or at least before installation
2. Plan on changing at least the oil filter and possibly flushing the coolant
3. Disconnect everything in the vicinity of the fittings
After much struggle removing the dumb thing, I removed the oil filter and unscrewed (but didn't remove) the oil cooler...then the rack came out with some wriggling
After much more struggle getting the rack in, I found everywhere that I could loosen something in the oil filter area to give myself room to work. I didn't want to remove the IC, etc, but I think this may make the job a good deal easier. After getting the PS lines under the oil pan and the wiring harnesses pulled out of the way, and doing a little bending on the tubing to the fitting, I finally safely got the fitting screwed into the rack. (it took me 2.5 hours just to get the highpressure line screwed into the rack!!)
Another idea - with the sway bar removed, this may be easier (if you have small hands) You may be able to reach into the hole where the sway bar passes through.