Installing a Rack & Pinion

Replacing your rack & pinion assembly can significantly improve your vehicle's steering, but proper installation is crucial. This detailed tutorial from PWR Steer provides a step-by-step guide on how to install a rack & pinion assembly correctly, ensuring optimal performance and longevity.

What You'll Learn in This Video:

Pre-Installation Inspection: We'll guide you through inspecting belts for cracks or oil contamination and hoses for leaks or wear.

System and Suspension Check: Learn how to inspect the power steering system and the suspension system for any existing issues.

New Reservoir Installation: We'll show you when and how to install a new remote reservoir (if applicable).

Fluid Flushing: The proper procedure for flushing the power steering system with the recommended fluid type.

Product Comparison: How to compare the new rack & pinion assembly to the old one.

Torque Specifications: The importance of using factory torque specifications during installation.

Vacuum Bleeding: The correct procedure for vacuum bleeding the system after installation.

Why Proper Rack & Pinion Installation is Essential:

Optimal Performance: Correct installation ensures smooth, responsive steering.

Prevent Leaks: Proper installation prevents fluid leaks and potential damage.

Avoid Premature Wear: Correct torque and alignment prevent excessive wear on the new unit.

Ensure Safety: A properly installed rack & pinion is crucial for vehicle safety.

Troubleshooting Related Steering Problems:

Steering Play: Loose or sloppy steering after installation can indicate an issue.

Hard Steering: Difficulty turning the wheel after installation.

Noises: Unusual noises after installation, such as clunking or grinding.

Leaks: Fluid leaks from the new rack & pinion.

Essential Steps for Installing a Rack & Pinion Assembly:

Preparation: Safely lift and support the vehicle.

Removal: Remove the old rack & pinion assembly.

Inspection: Inspect related components (tie rod ends, etc.).

Installation: Install the new PWR Steer rack & pinion assembly.

Connections: Connect all hoses and lines properly.

Fluid: Add the correct power steering fluid.

Bleeding: Vacuum bleed the system.

Alignment: Perform a wheel alignment.

PWR Steer: Your Source for High-Quality Steering Components and Installation Expertise:

PWR Steer is dedicated to providing automotive technicians and DIY enthusiasts with top-quality, 100% new, installation-ready power steering components and the knowledge to install them correctly. Our rack & pinion units are engineered and manufactured for superior performance and reliability.

How PWR Steer Can Help You:

Quality Components: We offer a full line of 100% new power steering components, including rack & pinion assemblies.

Installation Guides: Like this video, we provide detailed guides for proper installation.

Expertise: We offer information on best practices to ensure safe and effective repairs.

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[blindlemonpiesky]

Precise and to the point. New reservoir is a good tip for older cars.

[lyndaschneider]

Thank you so much for the extra information. No other video explained about the importance of installing a new reservoir so you saved me a future headache. Your instructions were precise and clear.

[kvasir]

Thank you so much for this so detailed explanation. I was able to do this replacement on a 2014 GMC Yukon following this video. A couple of things I noticed along the way, which are not mentioned here though:

1. The new rack and pinion comes with two unopened rubber seals for the connection lines to the steering wheel fluid. However, they can easily be mistaken with temporary seals to be discarded. If so, then the fluid lines do not seal at all. The rubber seals have to be opened up a bit before placing them in their positions again.
2. Steering after the installation is harder. It appears that there is something called pre-load adjustment with a bolt located on the base of the pinion, in order to loosen up the steering movement.

In my case, even though I counted the turns of the tie rods, the pinion shaft did not properly aligned with the clamp hole. Since the instructions clearly state not to move the steering wheel, as it is already centered, I had to move the pinion shaft to make it align and have the clamp fall in place, and then re-adjust the tie rods, as the wheels were now off center.

[jackjones]

Really really good video! Very organized concise video! I’ll try calling y’all later for a rack for me. Thank you so very much!

[effortlessproductions]

Thank you for your time explaining this process, greatly appreciated!

[kabose_goes_kaboom]

For the tie rods just count each rotation

[JHS]

This is a professional step-by-step video on how to replace a Rack and Pinion. Great details. Thank you. Wish I could bring my car to your shop in Memphis, Ten. Do you have a recommended shop in New York City? Any recommendations? I'll look for your answer. Thanks again.

[george]

5:35 timeframe, what did you use to clean the hydraulic lines?

[ashlynn]

My mechanic says my seals in mine have gone out. I have power steering fluid all over the bottom of my truck. At first I thought it was the pump but given how it feels when I drive it, it makes complete sense that it is the rack & pinion. The way my steering feels when I hit the tiniest pothole. I'm getting it fixed but I can't until after Christmas. I just won't drive it until then because I've had to replace one that went out during driving in my car so I know that endgame. You ain't moving that steering wheel no matter what you do, I had trouble getting it off the road. Lucky for me he's a certified mechanic but close family friend so I won't be paying as much as a shop charges😏. He done my brother's about a year ago.

[paddler-snub]

Thank you so much for taking the time to create and post this video. I look forward to more videos from you.

[gbenz]

Installed new pump and flushed whatever fluid was in the rack and cooler. BLED system like I had done before, wheels in the air, engine turned off, and turn steering wheel left and right while monitoring the fluid level in the power steering pump reservoir.

Drove the truck to get a wheel aligment (at Firesxxxx) and then drove off to test their work. Got on the freeway and noticed that the steering wheel was NOT centered while driving straight on the freeway. The truck was also pulling slightly to the right. Drove back to Fxxxstone and explained to them what was going on.

Different tech was assigned to my truck. The tech put the truck on the lift, and began to make the adjustments without first driving the truck. When he finished making the adjustments, he drove off the lot to go test his own work. The tech came back puzzled and said that when he drove off the parking lot and made a right to get on to the street, he noticed that the steering wheel did not go back to center, instead the steering wheel was way off center. He continued to state that he proceeded to drive on to the freeway and after driving for a good 1/4 mile he noticed that the steering wheel went back to center. He didn't know what was causing this. I had never noticed what the 2nd tech noticed when I first test drove mytruck. My initial complaint was only about the steering wheel not returning to the center and the truck pulling slightly to the right while driving on the freeway.

I left and it was then that I noticed what the tech was talking about. The steering wheel does not behave the way it should. Sometimes the steering wheel stays centered but for sure, if you make any sharp turns and then hold the steering wheel to drive straight, the steering wheel does not return to its center position. Do I have a bad rack and pinion? Did the alignment shop make things worse the second time.

[ChrisPratt]

Y’all make this look soooo easy. Lol. Good job

[blesdavis]

I can do this myself but I got to get a alignment and a scanner for the replacement rack.

[HiFiInsider]

sadly, your company no longer have replacement rack for my 95 Civic. Do you have a recommendation for a high quality brand?

[KentPetersonmoney]

So if you mess up with reinstalling this part how much would a car mechanic charge you to fix it? Would suck if you relize the steering wheel is worst after putting new rack & pin on and have to have it towed. luckily for me I have triple A so i would get free towing.

[OtengSetlhomo]

Good morning...I have a Nissan elgrand and it's steering rack is very very heavy when turning both sides so I'm asking what should I do about that issue and which steering rack can I buy because at the shop dealers thy says it's expensive to order so which Nissan uses the same rack as Nissan elgrand.

[honestreviewscanada]

Curious to know how long a job like this should take? Great video.

[dondada]

I recently had my electric rack and pinion repaired, but now my steering feels extremely stiff. What should I do?

[annacooper]

Clean out the lines with - what - spray fluid not stated? Turn the engine over but not let it start? How?

[asphyd]

Hi mate ! After I center the Rack, How do I know the number of visible threads to be left on the new inner tie rods, when I don’t have the old rack for reference? As I see in the video, you could get the reference measurement for the new rack from the old rack.