L-body steering rack replacement

[ScottD]

Anyone ever done this WITHOUT removing the k-frame?

I put a new pump and flushed the rack on my 86 GLHS. It still is tight on right turns. After it warms up it is better but still not great.

I'm thinking if I need to drop the k-frame that'll be a whole nother project with new control arm bushings and ball joints while I'm in there. Right now I'm not interested in doing that big a project on the car as I'm enjoying driving it too much, even with the less than stellar steering.

Scott
86 GLHS #408
89 Daytona C/S
90 Dakota Sport convertible
92 Spirit R/T
04 SRT-4
05 Neon SXT
Walkersville, MD

[contraption22]

What I did was leave the ball joints attached to the knuckles, unbolt the K frame from the unibody, and swing it down, swap racks... all done.

[ScottD]

Did you unbolt the struts at the strut towers when you did this?

[tryingbe]

Anyone ever done this WITHOUT removing the k-frame?

Yes, I have. But my engine and tranny wasn't in the engine bay.

[MiniMopar]

I was amazed at how easy dropping the K-frame was when I did it the first time. It's two bolts, two nuts, and the lower ball joint bolts. Then down it comes with the rach attached. Normally you have to deal with the PS lines, but you are swapping the rack, so you have to deal with them anyway.

Replace the high pressure line while you are in there.

[ScottD]

Thanks. The high pressure hose doesn't look that old. Hmm, sounds like a project for one of the upcoming weekends. Hopefully that will be the last thing to do on the car for a while.

[1985ShlbyChrger]

Take out the 4 k member attaching bolts/nuts, leave the struts bolted up and the ball joints bolted to the knuckles and drop it down with a jack. Easy access to the rack and it's easy to change. Then when you're done with the rack just jack the k member back up and put the bolts back in.

Nate

[ScottD]

Thanks Nate. I'll put this on the winter project list :-)

[ScottD]

I started this project. The rack came out relatively easily, all things considered. I really should have unbolted the ball joints and struts from the beginning and just rebuilt the front suspension while I was at it. Right now they're still hooked up.

[WVRampage]

Yes, I have. But my engine and tranny wasn't in the engine bay.

Same as I did.