rack and pinion question - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

*wangan_cruiser* · 10-07-2008, 11:59 PM

im currently working on my car by replacing my old rack and pinion with 250k on it. i removed all the bolts then i tried to take it off but seems like i cant.

question is can you take it off without lifting the engine to make some room to remove it?

SoguRacing · 10-08-2008, 12:01 AM

I have the same question.

duffman1278 · 10-08-2008, 12:05 AM

Yes you can. I took mine out about a month ago. A hatch 240 with SR. Had to kinda toy with it to get it out but it can go in and come out with some patience and just maneuvering it through the open space.

projectRDM · 10-08-2008, 01:03 AM

What's the problem you're having? The rack will lift right off the crossmember once the brackets are free and clear.

slider2828 · 10-08-2008, 09:26 AM

Yes it is easy to take off and put on the rack with or without the engine in it. Probably just your bolts are frozen.... Secondly probably the toughest spot is where the spline and the clamp comes together and that is SUPER frozen. So just jam a fat chisel or a crow bar into it to slide it up and down. But nonetheless you have to slide it up the steering shaft first and then take it out.

*wangan_cruiser* · 10-08-2008, 11:14 AM

the two lines that connects to the pump and resevoir were already removed. im guesss the clamp and the spline where i get stuck.

slider2828 · 10-08-2008, 02:21 PM

YUP!!! Its THE hardest part of the whole thing is that byoch spline and clamp. Put a lot of break away on it and jam the screw driver in there like I said. Good Luck!!

Bigsyke · 10-09-2008, 12:13 AM

Takes 5 minutes. Remove the bushings 1st after unbolted. Remove the steering linkage, then you need to rotate the rack clockwise and pull back and it show wiggle out.

SoguRacing · 10-09-2008, 12:59 AM

to add on since you're replacing your rack...how much does it cost to have one rebuilt?

*wangan_cruiser* · 10-09-2008, 09:32 AM

i bought mine for $40 75k on it.

im thinking rebuilt one will cost u around $200+

slider2828 · 10-09-2008, 02:46 PM

Buy a new one. Don't bother with old ones... Too many things can go wrong with them and the work you put in to replace it is simply not worth it...

projectRDM · 10-09-2008, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wangan_cruiser

i bought mine for $40 75k on it.

im thinking rebuilt one will cost u around $200+

Rebuilt racks began at about $220, but that's a cheap investment for a lifetime or steering, the OE rack generally never fails unless people go without replacing torn boots, allowing debris to get into the rack and ruin it.

ryguy · 10-09-2008, 04:18 PM

I just paid 175 after core return for a reman rack, that was like 5 months ago and I havent had a problem with it so far. I put the front of the car up on jackstands, then used the floor jack to lift up the tail of the transmission, that made it 100x easier to worm the rack out of there.

Def · 10-09-2008, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by projectRDM

Rebuilt racks began at about $220, but that's a cheap investment for a lifetime or steering, the OE rack generally never fails unless people go without replacing torn boots, allowing debris to get into the rack and ruin it.

Track usage will cook the input shaft seal and make it weep with a bottom mount turbo. Happened to me and McCoy.

Got hot enough that the stock little cap that fit over it almost turned to dust when I tapped it one day...

For a street driven car they tend to last forever.

I'm getting mine rebuilt at a local place for $75+core and possibly quickening the ratio.

projectRDM · 10-09-2008, 08:17 PM

^True, I haven't run with a turbo for very long. Consistent track usage at high speed and high boost might cook the seals pretty well.

*wangan_cruiser* · 10-09-2008, 08:54 PM

i got it out now. i had to jack the motor a lil bit to make more room to manuever.

but again. im stuck on taking off my tie rods with the replacement.

*wangan_cruiser* · 10-10-2008, 09:05 AM

is there another lock to remove the tie rods? i removed the lock but i cant turn the tie rods.

any help?

slider2828 · 10-10-2008, 10:08 AM

nope... should have removed it while the rack was still on the car... FSM

singlecamslam · 10-10-2008, 10:10 AM

inner or outer tie rods? For the inners you have to move the lock thing and get two wrenches (24mm and 19mm i think) and it take a little muscle to break them lose.

Edit* its much easier to do it when its still in the car, i did it on the ground and it was pretty hard to keep it from sliding under your feet. What i did is wedge it against a wall, one wrench wedge against the ground while i jumped on the other wrench.

projectRDM · 10-10-2008, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by singlecamslam

inner or outer tie rods? For the inners you have to move the lock thing and get two wrenches (24mm and 19mm i think) and it take a little muscle to break them lose.

Edit* its much easier to do it when its still in the car, i did it on the ground and it was pretty hard to keep it from sliding under your feet. What i did is wedge it against a wall, one wrench wedge against the ground while i jumped on the other wrench.

Please don't use that terminology, it confuses the hell out of people.

Tie rod.
Tie rod end.

Done. Saying inner and and outer tie rod makes it sound like you have two exact same pieces but at different places.

OP- yes, it's way easier to break loose with the rack mounted. You're now fighting with the rack as well as the tie rod.

10-07-2008, 11:59 PM	#1
wangan_cruiser kouki man Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: downtown oakland,ca Age: 40 Posts: 3,539 Trader Rating: (36) Feedback Score: 36 reviews	rack and pinion question im currently working on my car by replacing my old rack and pinion with 250k on it. i removed all the bolts then i tried to take it off but seems like i cant. question is can you take it off without lifting the engine to make some room to remove it?

10-08-2008, 12:01 AM	#2
SoguRacing Post Whore! Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: (714) Age: 39 Posts: 2,967 Trader Rating: (23) Rides Gallery: SoguRacing Feedback Score: 23 reviews	I have the same question. __________________ Pre Tune Checkup! Compression,LeakDown,Vacuum Test $80. Cams Install: $180

10-08-2008, 01:03 AM	#4
projectRDM Post Whore! Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Atlanta Age: 51 Posts: 13,812 Trader Rating: (12) Feedback Score: 12 reviews	What's the problem you're having? The rack will lift right off the crossmember once the brackets are free and clear. __________________ FORMERLY R240NA Learn what's really going on and protect your assets now before they're gone forever: www.paypalsucks.com

10-08-2008, 09:26 AM	#5
slider2828 Post Whore! Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 6,040 Trader Rating: (13) Feedback Score: 13 reviews	Yes it is easy to take off and put on the rack with or without the engine in it. Probably just your bolts are frozen.... Secondly probably the toughest spot is where the spline and the clamp comes together and that is SUPER frozen. So just jam a fat chisel or a crow bar into it to slide it up and down. But nonetheless you have to slide it up the steering shaft first and then take it out. __________________ Turn and Burn!

10-08-2008, 02:21 PM	#7
slider2828 Post Whore! Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 6,040 Trader Rating: (13) Feedback Score: 13 reviews	YUP!!! Its THE hardest part of the whole thing is that byoch spline and clamp. Put a lot of break away on it and jam the screw driver in there like I said. Good Luck!! __________________ Turn and Burn!

10-08-2008, 12:05 AM	#3
duffman1278 Post Whore! Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Covina Age: 37 Posts: 2,844 Trader Rating: (8) Rides Gallery: duffman1278 Feedback Score: 8 reviews	Yes you can. I took mine out about a month ago. A hatch 240 with SR. Had to kinda toy with it to get it out but it can go in and come out with some patience and just maneuvering it through the open space.

10-08-2008, 11:14 AM	#6
wangan_cruiser kouki man Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: downtown oakland,ca Age: 40 Posts: 3,539 Trader Rating: (36) Feedback Score: 36 reviews	the two lines that connects to the pump and resevoir were already removed. im guesss the clamp and the spline where i get stuck.

10-09-2008, 12:13 AM	#8
Bigsyke Zilvia FREAK! Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: NA Age: 40 Posts: 1,342 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Takes 5 minutes. Remove the bushings 1st after unbolted. Remove the steering linkage, then you need to rotate the rack clockwise and pull back and it show wiggle out.

10-09-2008, 12:59 AM	#9
SoguRacing Post Whore! Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: (714) Age: 39 Posts: 2,967 Trader Rating: (23) Rides Gallery: SoguRacing Feedback Score: 23 reviews	to add on since you're replacing your rack...how much does it cost to have one rebuilt? __________________ Pre Tune Checkup! Compression,LeakDown,Vacuum Test $80. Cams Install: $180

10-09-2008, 09:32 AM	#10
wangan_cruiser kouki man Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: downtown oakland,ca Age: 40 Posts: 3,539 Trader Rating: (36) Feedback Score: 36 reviews	i bought mine for $40 75k on it. im thinking rebuilt one will cost u around $200+

10-09-2008, 02:46 PM	#11
slider2828 Post Whore! Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 6,040 Trader Rating: (13) Feedback Score: 13 reviews	Buy a new one. Don't bother with old ones... Too many things can go wrong with them and the work you put in to replace it is simply not worth it... __________________ Turn and Burn!

10-09-2008, 04:18 PM	#13
ryguy Zilvia FREAK! Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Chicago Suburbs Age: 36 Posts: 1,544 Trader Rating: (5) Feedback Score: 5 reviews	I just paid 175 after core return for a reman rack, that was like 5 months ago and I havent had a problem with it so far. I put the front of the car up on jackstands, then used the floor jack to lift up the tail of the transmission, that made it 100x easier to worm the rack out of there. __________________

10-09-2008, 08:17 PM	#15
projectRDM Post Whore! Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Atlanta Age: 51 Posts: 13,812 Trader Rating: (12) Feedback Score: 12 reviews	^True, I haven't run with a turbo for very long. Consistent track usage at high speed and high boost might cook the seals pretty well. __________________ FORMERLY R240NA Learn what's really going on and protect your assets now before they're gone forever: www.paypalsucks.com

10-09-2008, 08:54 PM	#16
wangan_cruiser kouki man Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: downtown oakland,ca Age: 40 Posts: 3,539 Trader Rating: (36) Feedback Score: 36 reviews	i got it out now. i had to jack the motor a lil bit to make more room to manuever. but again. im stuck on taking off my tie rods with the replacement.

10-10-2008, 09:05 AM	#17
wangan_cruiser kouki man Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: downtown oakland,ca Age: 40 Posts: 3,539 Trader Rating: (36) Feedback Score: 36 reviews	is there another lock to remove the tie rods? i removed the lock but i cant turn the tie rods. any help?

10-10-2008, 10:08 AM	#18
slider2828 Post Whore! Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 6,040 Trader Rating: (13) Feedback Score: 13 reviews	nope... should have removed it while the rack was still on the car... FSM __________________ Turn and Burn!

10-10-2008, 10:10 AM	#19
singlecamslam Post Whore! Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Norcal Posts: 2,534 Trader Rating: (10) Feedback Score: 10 reviews	inner or outer tie rods? For the inners you have to move the lock thing and get two wrenches (24mm and 19mm i think) and it take a little muscle to break them lose. Edit* its much easier to do it when its still in the car, i did it on the ground and it was pretty hard to keep it from sliding under your feet. What i did is wedge it against a wall, one wrench wedge against the ground while i jumped on the other wrench. __________________ Nothing says racecar like a stock car with no interior.