Anyone ever changed a steering rack? tips, help

[Bruce M]

Help / Advice
Symptoms , binding feeling in wheel while turning. Like a warn, loose ball joint or tie rod. All components check out OK. I think that I have a problem in the Rack & Pinion. Again never went too far into steering, done LCA’s, Tie rods, Brakes, and everything from motor swaps to 60K services to troubleshooting nearly all problems these beasts have. Not afraid to do anything, this looks scary in terms of time and equipment

Looked in the OEM Ford Factory Service Manual for 93 SHO regarding a rack swap out. They say I need to drop the cats & sub frame! ****, I can’t really see any other way! Might as well pull the motor!

Questions
1) Anyone done a Rack & Pinion Swap out.
2) Any tips
3) Do you have to drop the sub frame, is there a reasonable way around it.

Thanks

 

[gtstang1967]

i havent replaced one myself . but i know for a fact you have to drop the subframe. you need the room. i have the factory ford service manual too it says the same. looks like you are in for a fun day i suggest you swap out your 3.0 for a 3.2 if you have a mtx of course. might as well if you dont mind not driving it for a little bit. thats what i would do.

 

[Bruce M]

Its a 1993 with a 3.2L with 90k on it, all brand new 60k stuff like TB, valve lash adj WP and so on. all done maybe 15K ago. the Tranny was rebuilt about 2K ago.

 

[93rev2sev]

Its not that hard. Dropping the subframe is easy...if it's had the recall kit and your exhaust studs are good.

Two words of advice though. Be prepared. Get 2 recall kits (if not new subframe bushings too). These will come with new subframe bolts for the ones you are about to break...and new plate-nuts to replace the ones fused the the broken bolts.

Buy 2 extra sets of cheapo jackstands. Jack and support the car just behind the subframe with your best stands. Then put the cheapies under the corners of the subframe but not blocking access to the bolts.

Now heres a bit of a trick. If you start the project with flat rear tires and inflate them when you have all the jackstands in place, the car will tilt forward slightly, putting the subframe squarely on the 4 cheapie stands that you were not able to adjust perfectly...securing it to the body for when the bolts are out.

Before removing the subframe bolts, take off the y-pipe and remove the steering rack to subframe nuts and the input shaft...I can't remember how hard it is to get to this one...might be tricky at this point. If so, wait till the subframe is down.

Once you have all the steering rack stuff loose, time to deal with the subframe. You can leave the rest of the suspension intact. Use a large breaker bar and an 18mm IMPACT SOCKET. Once all the bolts are out, replace the ones in the front with the recall kit but leave them loose. Jack up the front of the subframe and remove the front stands. Now, lower the jack so the subframe dangles from the loose bolts up front. This will allow it to pivot some when you lower the rear.

Move the jack to the rear of the subframe. Raise it to take pressure off the stands. Lower the jackstands about 2 - 3 inches and lower the jacked up subframe back onto the stands....slowly. Listen...watch...it should settle on the jackstands low enough to deal with the rack. Stop to check the clearances under the hood a few time along the way down.

This is basically the procedure for just about any subframe work.
Replacing Subframe Bushings
Replacing Swaybar Bushings
Removing Subframe for tranny work
Etc..

Learning to do this will save you GOBS of money in the future.

Edit, oh and when you are all done, get an alignment form a respectable shop.

 

[SHOtimer]

It is a breeze, took me about 30 min. But, I didn't have a motor or trany in the car at the time...

If any of the hoses need to be replaced, this is the time.

Doug

 

[TimboSHO]

I did a rack in a SLO without dropping the exhaust and only dropping the rear of the subframe to give me room to do it. Just make sure you have jackstands under the subframe, because it will still drop with only 2 bolts in!