Thread: Replacing steering rack, Questions.

I gotta change the steering rack on my 04, is there a preference on what rack to use Ac Delco,NAPA,Rockauto?

Also do we have a how-to? i wanna get an idea before i actually jump the gun. i dont plan on being on my back for 4 hours on this 105*+ days



thanks guys.

Rockauto is probably cheapest..and they carry delco parts. That's what I would get. I don't believe there is a how to on here but I can tell you it's a PITA. It was a PITA without a motor in the car....with a motor in...have fun.

Yea, i just got off the phone with my GM hook up, he told me $390 for the replacement and $231 for the Ac Delco..

Yes, ive heard it s a PITA!

Originally Posted by darkhorizon

Its not all that hard honestly... once you get the 2 fluid lines off, you are only a few bolts from pulling it out....

Drop the rear part of the cradle about 6 inches, which means loosening the front bolts, removing the rears... Pop the tierod ends, pull the 2 rack bolts out... access the 11mm bolt in the steering hyme boot with an impact through the driver fender well, and it should be done.

Consider maybe getting your rack rebuilt with whatever you need fixed on it as well.... your inner/outer ends are probably not that broken.

That doesnt sound bad at all, Im mechanically inclined.

I think im going to buy this used rack for $75 pop it on the car, send the old one to get rebuild and put it back on once i get it back. Then send the used one to be rebuild to have a spare one.


Where can i get it rebuild?

this is what i followed http://www.grandprixforums.net/04_rack_replacement.php

you dont need to pull the air box or master cylinder out, the lines on the rack are totally accessible from under the car, 18 mm line wrench would be best, i dropped my cradle maybe 3 inches, and removed the sway bar. dont spin the steering wheel like a little kid either lol once the rack is unhooked, lock the wheel and leave it alone, if you spin it the clock spring breaks and then you got a air bag light and no radio controls on the wheel.

when you go over the how to, you will see theres not a whole lot to do but its all in tight areas, it took me 4 hours to complete, from car on the ground back to all 4 wheels on the ground, 30 minutes clean up time, well less time but walking around like thank god thats over!

and i backed my car up onto car ramps, and then jacked the front as high as i could, just to gain as much room as i could.

and i also degreased the whole under side and engine the day before so it would be a cleaner job, dont know how clean your cars engine but mine still gets cleaner every time i degrease it.

thank you scotty and darkhorizon.

im picking up the used rack tomorrow and installing it friday.

Originally Posted by darkhorizon

Drop the rear part of the cradle about 6 inches, which means loosening the front bolts, removing the rears... access the 11mm bolt in the steering hyme boot with an impact through the driver fender well, and it should be done.

should you drop the cradle, un bolt the 11mm bolt in the steering hyme boot first, when you drop the cradle it will slide off its shaft better, other wise it may hold up the cradle and bend the steering shaft. and i got it off with a 3/8 th ratchet, its not a tight bolt, just needed 2, 3 inch extensions and a 6 inch all connected together to get to it.

i went used as well, just make sure the one you get is dry, no fluid leaks coming from the boots.

i did need/use some 1/2 drive sockets for the rack bolts, not that they were that tight my 3/8 th set ran out sockets lol and a few big wrenches. 17mm 18mm , my cradle were 18 mm too. i think thats it.

edit: after just reading the how to, i also did not move the engine forward or remove the sifter cable, i guess cause i got the lines off from underneath the car vs from the top.

.

i didn't have to take off my sway when i did mine. It probably took me about an hour the second time.

I called a local junkyard wednesday they told me they had a steering rack off an 04 lady was suppose to call me back which she didn't, I called yesterday morning and she didn't work.

Well I called this morning, she claims they can't find the stupid steering rack! How can you lose a freaking steering rack?
I think I'm going to have to buy a rebuild one.

try another yard there has to be more than one around you, im quite lucky as i have yards all over, one town Newark nj has blocks and blocks of yards, most are not pull and pray, but in a huge ass 5 blocks area, you will find your part, or they will get it for you.

Well the yards around here suck, I've called 6 and not one single yard have a grand prix.
I'm just going to buy an AcDelco rack, I can turn around and sell the inner/outer tie rods of this steering rack they have less than 100 miles. They are acdelco inners and moog outers .

I removed the tierods in order to have a little more room to work around, also you may need to remove the sway-bar in order to get access to some bolts.

and yes you need to drop the craddle to pull the rack itself.