Disconnecting Steering Shaft For Mac
While most of us take it for granted, the power steering system is a critical component of your vehicle. Eventually, the parts that comprise the steering system will wear out. External components, such as the tie rod ends and links wear out much faster than the internal components, so you will experience servicing those parts regularly.
The internal components, which include the hydraulics and steering rack & pinion unit, last much longer, so servicing those items is a fairly rare occurrence. When you do have to service the internal system, it must be done right. The most common failure is a broken line. This is easily replaced at no detriment to the rest of the system. If the pump fails, however, the likelihood of further damage is very good. When a power steering pump fails, there is usually a good amount of metal shavings sent through the lines.
Disconnecting Steering Shaft For Mack Granite
The shavings wreak havoc on the valves and seals, which means that the power assist function will quickly die, and possibly take out the new pump as well if it is not replaced at the same time. Replacing the steering rack is not physically difficult, but there are a few steps that you need to take in order to ensure that it is done correctly and that the repair lasts. Cleanliness is the key to a steering rack replacement. If you aren’t a DIYer, your local NAPA AutoCare Center will be able to manage this job with ease.
Common Steering Rack Problems The most common failure in a steering rack is the seals. Most steering racks use O-rings to seal the internal components. There are two separate systems at work inside a power-assist rack & pinion: the hydraulics (power assist), and the mechanics (steering). The two systems share the pinion gear inside the upper portion of the main housing. The pinion gear runs through the hydraulic servo. As the pressurized fluid runs through the valve, any movement of the pinion gear (which is connected to the steering column) rotates the spool valve to line up with the correct flow ports. When the steering wheel is centered (neutral position), the fluid bypasses the spool valve.
The spool valve directs the pressurized fluid to the appropriate side of the assist piston inside the long tube of the steering rack. This provides the assist for steering. There are numerous lines and valves that need an O-ring seal. Because they are under severe pressures exceeding 2000 psi, they are prone to failing. Inside the steering rack is the pinion gear which rides on the rack gear as shown. The pinion gear is also part of the hydraulic valve.
The mechanics of the rack are certainly more simple, but nonetheless capable of failing. The pinion gear rides on the rack (which is attached to the piston).
There is a mesh setting, this can be get out of alignment through wear or physical damage, and cause hard or loose steering. Some racks have the steering shafts coming out of the end of the unit, over time these can get damaged or even strip out the threads, which requires complete replacement of the steering rack unit. Tips For Steering Rack Replacement It is possible to rebuild the seals on a steering rack, but the process is lengthy and the deeper internal seals are more difficult to change without special tools. Replacement is typically the most cost effective solution. The process for replacing a rack typically takes 4-6 hours, make and model variances differ or course. Removing the rack involves disconnecting the steering linkage, disconnecting the hydraulic lines, and then the rack itself.
There are two types of rack mounts- bushed lugs or clamps. This rack shown below (from a 2009 Dodge Challenger) uses the bushed lug style. Here is the rack itself. Note the two large lug bosses just to the inside of the bellows. These are the rack mounts. This is an end-steer rack, where the steering arms come out of the ends. The other style of rack is center steer, where the steering arms are mounted to a tie rod bar.
Purchase an inline filter with your new rack to protect all of the components from debris damage. With the new rack installed and connected, it is filled new and purged. To purge the air from the system, the steering wheel is turned 15-20 times lock to lock with the engine off. At this point, the engine was started and the system was working properly. Within the next few miles, some additional air pockets will likely be dislodged, lowering the fluid level in the reservoir, so it should be checked for several days and additional fluid added as needed. The last step is filling the system with fresh fluid and purging the air.
Any time the steering system is modified, the vehicle must be aligned. Some NAPA AutoCare Centers can do this in-house, some do not. This is not a small issue, failure to have your front suspension aligned will cause erratic handling and permanent tire wear damage within a 100 miles.
By taking the proper steps, your new steering rack will last many years of service and get you back on the road. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit.
Jefferson Bryant A life-long gearhead, Jefferson Bryant spends more time in the shop than anywhere else. His career began in the car audio industry as a shop manager, eventually working his way into a position at Rockford Fosgate as a product designer. In 2003, he began writing tech articles for magazines, and has been working as an automotive journalist ever since.
His work has been featured in Car Craft, Hot Rod, Rod & Custom, Truckin’, Mopar Muscle, and many more. Jefferson has also written 4 books and produced countless videos. Jefferson operates Red Dirt Rodz, his personal garage studio, where all of his magazine articles and tech videos are produced.
Joined: Jun 10, 2012 Member: #80410 Messages: Gender: Male First Name: Zac Vehicle: '06 4x4 Limo ARB lockers and 4.88s front and rear, OME 886s, Dakars, etc., Safari Snorkel, 17'Fuel Revolvers w/ 35x12.50r17 KM2s, fenders cut 3' all around, Pioneer AVH-P4400BH w/ Backup cam, CB/PA (PA Installed), Weathertech Digis, Foglight anytime, AP: front bumper, skids, and pack rack, custom sliders, Warn 9.5XP, dual VIAIR 480Cs with a 2.5gal tank, OTRATTW switches galore, URD y-pipe, RCI skids, LF 240s, etc. Joined: Jun 10, 2012 Member: #80410 Messages: Gender: Male First Name: Zac Vehicle: '06 4x4 Limo ARB lockers and 4.88s front and rear, OME 886s, Dakars, etc., Safari Snorkel, 17'Fuel Revolvers w/ 35x12.50r17 KM2s, fenders cut 3' all around, Pioneer AVH-P4400BH w/ Backup cam, CB/PA (PA Installed), Weathertech Digis, Foglight anytime, AP: front bumper, skids, and pack rack, custom sliders, Warn 9.5XP, dual VIAIR 480Cs with a 2.5gal tank, OTRATTW switches galore, URD y-pipe, RCI skids, LF 240s, etc.
Disconnecting Steering Shaft For Mack Truck
Joined: Jun 10, 2012 Member: #80410 Messages: Gender: Male First Name: Zac Vehicle: '06 4x4 Limo ARB lockers and 4.88s front and rear, OME 886s, Dakars, etc., Safari Snorkel, 17'Fuel Revolvers w/ 35x12.50r17 KM2s, fenders cut 3' all around, Pioneer AVH-P4400BH w/ Backup cam, CB/PA (PA Installed), Weathertech Digis, Foglight anytime, AP: front bumper, skids, and pack rack, custom sliders, Warn 9.5XP, dual VIAIR 480Cs with a 2.5gal tank, OTRATTW switches galore, URD y-pipe, RCI skids, LF 240s, etc. Joined: Jun 10, 2012 Member: #80410 Messages: Gender: Male First Name: Zac Vehicle: '06 4x4 Limo ARB lockers and 4.88s front and rear, OME 886s, Dakars, etc., Safari Snorkel, 17'Fuel Revolvers w/ 35x12.50r17 KM2s, fenders cut 3' all around, Pioneer AVH-P4400BH w/ Backup cam, CB/PA (PA Installed), Weathertech Digis, Foglight anytime, AP: front bumper, skids, and pack rack, custom sliders, Warn 9.5XP, dual VIAIR 480Cs with a 2.5gal tank, OTRATTW switches galore, URD y-pipe, RCI skids, LF 240s, etc.