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The rack and pinion are essential components of a power steering system. The seals around the rack and pinion are responsible for keeping the power steering fluid inside the mechanism. If the seals begin to wear out, fluid can seep into the bellows that encompass both ends of the rack. If the seals are not replaced, the bellows will continue to swell with fluid until they burst. Replacing these seals is a meticulous task but costs less than completely replacing the rack and pinion.
Step 1
Remove the dust cap from the pinion by unscrewing it. Remove the nut underneath it by using a crescent wrench. The steering shaft is now exposed. Pry the off the circular dust seal and slender open-circle snap ring with a needle-nose pliers. Separate the pinion from the rack with the punch tool. Apply the tip of the punch to the other end of the pinion. Gently tap the end of the punch with a hammer until the pinion slides out. Remove the seals with the pliers.
Step 2
Replace the seals on the pinion using the corresponding seals from the rack and seal kit. Use pliers, if necessary, to fit each seal securely to the shaft of the pinion.
Step 3
Pry the thin, open-circle snap ring off the passenger side end of the rack. Pull the rack out from the passenger side end of the housing using needle-nose pliers. The seal on the passenger side end of the rack will come out with the rack. Pry the passenger side seal out with needle-nose pliers. Push the driver's side seal out.
Step 4
Slide the new seals on both sides of the rack using the corresponding seals from the rack and pinion seal kit. Use pliers if necessary so that the seals fits securely.
Step 5
Insert the rack back into the housing. Apply gentle pressure so as not to damage the housing. Place the snap ring onto the passenger side end of the rack.
Insert the pinion into the housing. Gently tap it with the punch. Place the snap ring around the exposed shaft of the pinion. Slide a new dust seal from the kit onto the pinion, covering the snap ring. Screw the nut back onto the shaft of the pinion with the wrench. Attach the dust cap to the end of the shaft.
Warning
- Do not damage the interior of the rack housing with any of the tools or the mechanism will not function.
Items you will need
- Crescent wrench
- Needle-nose pliers
- Punch tool
- Hammer
- Rack and pinon seal kit
- Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
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When it is separated from your entire steering system, the steering rack might look like a worthless metal rod. But without the steering rack, your car would not be able to maneuver through the streets. So if your steering wheel starts feeling a little loose or you suddenly notice your tires are misaligned, it's about time you replace your steering rack.
Know your steering system
Since your steering rack is part of bigger system-the rack-and-pinion assembly-the type of steering rack you need would depend on the steering system you have on your car. Most cars are powered by normal rack-and-pinion steering. The steering rack for this kind of rack-and-pinion gear set is relatively easy to spot. It's a simple, lightweight rack with differently sized metal teeth. Unlike a simple steering system, a power steering system's rack has a slightly different design and contains more parts. On the middle of the steering rack, you'll find a cylinder with a piston. This piston is designed with two fluid ports to direct higher-pressure fluid to one of its side and eventually provide the power needed to steer your car. So if your car has a power steering system installed, finding the right steering rack can be more tedious. Aside from looking at the quality and fit of the rack for a power steering system, you should also inspect the fluid ports and their compatibility with your steering system's fluid lines.
Purchase the entire assembly
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Whether you have a normal rack-and-pinion system or a power-assisted one, be sure that your steering rack includes fittings for inner tie rods. This ensures that everything will fit perfectly with the entire system. This will also help you prevent leaks. Another advantage of purchasing the entire assembly instead of just one part is that there are no core changes made on the assembly. This eliminates the hassle of returning your old part for a core refund. So remember, when buying a new steering rack, don't just buy the rack-buy the complete assembly for a more direct fit and increased life span.
Check the warranty
As with any part of your car, never purchase without a warranty. This saves you time, effort, and money if the serviced part is not functioning as expected. The standard warranty for steering racks is for one year. The mileage terms will vary according to the type of steering system you have. Since a normal rack-and-pinion steering has less moveable parts (add to this the fact that it's usually used for smaller loads), it is usually covered by an unlimited mileage warranty. On the other hand, the more complicated system, like a power steering system, is more susceptible to wear. Therefore, it does not have the same warranty terms as a normal system. Distributors and sellers usually cover 15,000 to 18,000 miles.