steering rack swap

[///M42 sport]

i'm about to attempt a direct rack swap for the first time. Is the process pretty straightforward?

[IronFreak]

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=66247

[///M42 sport]

^ not a direct swap

[IronFreak]

Like e30 for e30? if so for the sake of ease if you haven;t already put new tie rod assemblies on while its off.

Jack up car
Unhook powersteering hoses (2)
Unbolt tierods from spindles
knock them out of spindle
unbolt rack from subframe (2)
pull out rack.

Repeat in reverse order for install.

[///M42 sport]

sounds simple enough

[///M42 sport]

how do I know if the remanu steering rack is centered?

just measure it?

[///M42 sport]

how the fuck do I get that spline free from the knuckle?

[monoblanco]

Good luck man. Changing mine was not easy, and I had help. The toughest part was fitting the steering wheel rod back into the rack.

[Ceeker]

how the fuck do I get that spline free from the knuckle?

I loosened off the nut bolt and then took a flat head screw driver and wedged it into the slit on the knuckle being careful not to damage the spline. this helped spread the knuckle and then I hammered on the knuckle from up top. it's takes a while but it will let up. putting it back was easier.

[///M42 sport]

^ I take it you undid the bolt closer to the steering wheel. I undid the bolt connecting to the spline on the rack.

[87e30]

how do I know if the remanu steering rack is centered?

just measure it?

Get an alignment after... it's not too hard to figure out (with the steering wheel) about center.

[///M42 sport]

picture worth a thousand words...how do i know the remanufactured rack I have is already centered?

[87e30]

Yeah I think that's what they say to do in the steering rack swap thread. I'd double check the bentley. To me I don't see what eles you could do. Honestly it looks pretty darn centered as it sits, just gotta line up the steering wheel.

[///M42 sport]

well i got that bitch swapped haha..not to bad just time consuming...hardest part was getting the spline on and off

[ButtJuice]

That swap was a bitch, esp. when you don't have access to a lift. Getting it off and back on to the steering spline DID suck! Lol. Good job.