smr4runner,
Did you get your steering rack yet? I got mine today. But i can't actually tackle it until my performance products lowering springs come in (they are on backorder). I dont want to have to pay for 2 alignments.
How does it fit? Have you tried to install it yet?

 

Alignments usually have a garantee. so you install the rack, get it aligned, go home, install the springs when they come in, then take it back and say the alignment isn't right and they do it again free. just don't tell them you replaced the springs and dirty them up a bit.

 

Hey Alin,
I got the rack last Friday. Since Im replacing the rack I decided to go with new Rod Ends (Outer Tie Rods).
I was too busy last weekend and Im waiting for a buddy to get back with me to see if we can tackle the swap this weekend.

Mike

 

Hmm... new outer tie rods... now that sounds like a good idea to me. I think i'm gonna do that too! You'd might as well since you are in there right. Who knows how close they are to being worn out since you are changing inner tie rods anyways.

Let me know how it goes Mike, i'm probably planning on tackling this over the weekend as well.
By the way, are you using an old fashioned breaker bar? Or are you using air tools?

thanks
Aaron

 

Ok... FINALLY got around to installing the remanufactured steering rack today. Besides needing an alignment. I would say that the steering rack movement is reduced by a LOT and there is no longer the noise when you move the rack around. Just as a safe measure,i also got new outer tie rods.

Installation was pretty straight forward. I do recommend a breaker bar however. One thing i did notice that struck me was the condition of the power steering fluid when i drained it prior to taking the steering rack off. It had a slight burnt smell. Sort of like if you go a LONG time without changing your engine oil. So while i was down there, i got all of the fluid out, and replaced it all with new fluid. If you guys want, i can do a writeup. So let me know if anyone is interested.

Anyone with questions on this please feel free to post question on this thread of PM me.

 

Hey Alin10123,
I install mine tomorrow.
How much PS fluid was needed to refill?

 

When i went to the stealer to get some fluid (so i made sure i had the right stuff). They said that 3 bottles oughta do it.

It's sort of deceiving how much you'll need. When you first start off, only put one bottle in. Then start to follow their bleeding procedure. The one bottle will fill the resevoir but not the steering rack and lines. When you start the engine, is when all of that fluid will get "sucked" down into the resevoir. Then you add a second bottle. Then continue to bleed.

So for me, total bottles so far 2. I haven't had a chance to go out for an alignment yet. I'll do that today and then take it out for a real test drive. But so far. 2 bottles of the PS fluid.

The goal is to make sure the fluid stops foaming and bubbling. Foaming and bubbling is normal when you first are bleeding because there's air in the system. Hence the reason why you bleed. When you finish bleeding and get the engine up to temperature. There shouldn't be any foam/bubbles in the system. If there is, you need to check your connections. Just because there's no fluid leaking out, does not mean that air is not going in.

But if everything works as it should, and there's no bubbles or foaming. Then all should be good.

hope this helps.

 

Well, just replaced the inner/outer tie rod ends on the driver's side today, not that bad of a job, believe it or not, I'd say an hour tops with taking your time. Put my mud tires back on, and front end seems to be a bit more solid now.

 

Okay.. where'd you get the end puller? I keep looking at Schucks and they don't have a puller with a cup on the business end. Did you end up renting one? I guess I could do that, but I kinda' wanted to buy one to keep for some reason.

 

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=36861

This is what I used to pop out the outer TRE, its cheap, but worked like a charm.
I tried a couple wacks with a hammer, then quickly went to the puller after it didn't budge.

 

Hey Guys,
Finally got the rack installed.
It took Daryl and I a couple of hours to complete.
I was surprised at how easy it was to remove the rack.
The hardest part about the installation of the replacement rack was getting the pressure feed and return tube threaded back in. Talk about tight quarters.

Hey midi. Unlike the universal tie rod end pullers we all find at the local auto store. Daryl had one that was width adjustable.
It looked just like the one in the picture farthest right. Popped the bolt out is seconds. This will be a great addition to the tool box.

 

If anyone knows where I could purchase that particular puller please post.


Thanks

 

http://www.etoolcart.com/browseprodu...-OTC7311A.html

http://www.all-tool.com/BY_MASTER_CA...t_tools_22.htm


Kind of pricey....I think I'll stick with my 7.00 Harbor Freight model

 

Autozone has both sizes for 9 and 12 bucks respectively.

 

Well it seems that we are all working on the same problem!
I brought the Taco in for the annual inspection and they found that the passenger side bushing was worn out. Long story short, some lazy person to keep it polite attempted a repair but just made things worse by welding the passenger side braket right to the cross member of the truck.
With quite a bit of effort, cursing, beer my buddy and I managed to repair everything. I just wish I would have found this post first. I spent $42 CDN on the passenger side bushing alone!

Read here for the long version:https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f2/problems-replacing-power-steering-rack-rubber-grommet-bushing-51704/

Great info in this thread...
Cheers,
P

 

And I just linked your thread to this one!

 

Midiwall might want to check whether he's fighting the same issue- he's got the upper bolt on his passenger side bracket that just doesn't want to budge either...

 

That's a hard bolt to get out. That's also a hard bolt to get back in. lol
The hardest part getting back in is lining up the bolt to the hole.

Take my advice, USE A BREAKER BAR!

 

So tell us how it went? Also, the replacement rack... did it improve the driving a little? I'd say my excessive freeplay problem is more than 60% gone. There's still a little bit. But i guess that's just the nature of rack and pinion.

 

(from the other thread) quote p1michaud: "For some reason the top nut was tack welded to the bracket...")

Oh MAN! Okay, that would be most interesting....

Breaker bar be damned. I WILL get that thing off! Thanks for drawing the parallel David.