DISCLAIMER: I would like to remind you at this point that anybody following this guide does so at their own risk. This guide is a how-to, and neither the original author nor I may be held accountable for what you do to your own vehicle. Plan ahead, wrench carefully, and thoroughly test your modifications before driving on public roads.
Tools Needed:
12mm wrench or socket
line wrench
adjustable wrenches 1 huge 1 medium
snap ring pliers
14mm socket- 1/2" drive
15mm socket-1/2" drive
1/2" extension
1/2" drive ratchet
hammer
bench grinder/ angle grinder/ hacksaw
Step 1. remove the Powersteering metal lines. this may require a torch to make life easier, depending on your climate.
This can be done with a line wrench I cannot remember the size of the line wrench used @ this time.
here is a picture of the lines removed.
![Image](http://imageshack.us/scaled/thumb/13/pslines.jpg)
Step 2 involves removing the inner tie rod ends. This either requires a very large wrench or a special tool, Either situation the steering rack MUST be attached to the subframe. If you attempt this in a bench vise you will damage or destroy the steering rack.
In all circumstances the metal ties are probably going to break, I opted for zipties as a ready solution to the install.
![Image](http://imageshack.us/scaled/thumb/838/1003497e.jpg)
![Image](http://imageshack.us/scaled/thumb/547/tierod3.jpg)
![Image](http://imageshack.us/scaled/thumb/856/tierod2.jpg)
![Image](http://imageshack.us/scaled/thumb/59/subframe.jpg)
Step 3 invovles locating the rear rack guide & removing it.
This is located on the back side of the steering rack & held into place with a securing lock nut on a cap system.
loosen the retaining nut from the cap as noted in the pics. do this while holding the cap from spinning.
after the retaining nut is removed, unscrew the cap from the rack.
Make sure to disassemble the parts in an order that you can remember for reinstall
![Image](http://imageshack.us/scaled/thumb/138/step31i.jpg)
![Image](http://imageshack.us/scaled/thumb/820/step32.jpg)
![Image](http://imageshack.us/scaled/thumb/856/step33h.jpg)
![Image](http://imageshack.us/scaled/thumb/23/step34u.jpg)
![Image](http://imageshack.us/scaled/thumb/809/step35j.jpg)
![Image](http://imageshack.us/scaled/thumb/171/step36.jpg)
This will give way to a spring & the white plastic rack guide.
![Image](http://imageshack.us/scaled/thumb/855/step38.jpg)
![Image](http://imageshack.us/scaled/thumb/834/step39.jpg)
![Image](http://imageshack.us/scaled/thumb/713/step40.jpg)
![Image](http://imageshack.us/scaled/thumb/811/step41.jpg)
I found it easy to use the snap ring pliers to remove the plastic rack guide
![Image](http://imageshack.us/scaled/thumb/84/snap1ag.jpg)
![Image](http://imageshack.us/scaled/thumb/401/1003482d.jpg)
![Image](http://imageshack.us/scaled/thumb/560/1003483.jpg)
Step 4 we start out by locating the pinion shaft cap. which is on the bottom of the steering rack, directly in line with the mid shaft from the steering column.
next, find yourself removing the cap to show way to a 15mm nut holding the pinion shaft in place.
![Image](http://imageshack.us/scaled/thumb/836/step41.jpg)
![Image](http://imageshack.us/scaled/thumb/802/step42.jpg)
![Image](http://imageshack.us/scaled/thumb/819/step43.jpg)
Undo the 15mm nut accordingly & set it aside with the cap.
![Image](http://imageshack.us/scaled/thumb/706/step44.jpg)
![Image](http://imageshack.us/scaled/thumb/837/step45.jpg)
Step 5 flip to the top of the rack & remove the mid shaft of the steering column with the 12mm socket/wrench
![Image](http://imageshack.us/scaled/thumb/836/86262473.jpg)
Once you've taken this off grap your snap ring pliers & proceed to remove the snap ring on the top, this may be dirty if so search for it.
![Image](http://imageshack.us/scaled/thumb/560/72006093.jpg)
![Image](http://imageshack.us/scaled/thumb/402/52293994.jpg)
once you've removed the snap ring gently jiggle the pinion shaft in an upwards motion pulling it out. It may require extremely gentle tapping on the bottom of the pinion shaft to pop it out.
![Image](http://imageshack.us/scaled/thumb/855/88917188.jpg)
![Image](http://imageshack.us/scaled/thumb/829/89612142.jpg)
![Image](http://imageshack.us/scaled/thumb/255/38129198.jpg)
![Image](http://imageshack.us/scaled/thumb/820/63473011.jpg)
![Image](http://imageshack.us/scaled/thumb/402/18245129.jpg)
![Image](http://imageshack.us/scaled/thumb/534/44862762.jpg)
![Image](http://imageshack.us/scaled/thumb/577/38746201.jpg)
Step 6 is the hardest part of the entire dissasembly.
The endcap on this steering rack posed a very very large problem. a semi self weld between aluminum & steel. which required the force of the "huge adjustable wrench" after heating & cutting 2 slots in the end tube to release tension. Pray & hope you don't have this much trouble.
mind you the endcap was also ground to have flat spots so i could use a large wrench to turn itut. this also may not be a large problem pray that you don't have to take this extent.
removal of the endcap is straight forward beyond that. just unscrew it.
add the cap to the growing pile of parts.
![Image](http://imageshack.us/scaled/thumb/442/76191510.jpg)
![Image](http://imageshack.us/scaled/thumb/203/91346398.jpg)
![Image](http://imageshack.us/scaled/thumb/822/81719650.jpg)
![Image](http://imageshack.us/scaled/thumb/201/97381549.jpg)
Step 7 this part is as straight forward as it gets.
pull the rack out. If it doesn't go out one way it goes out the other.
once you pull it out you'll see this.
remove any rubber seals that may be inside of the rack body.
![Image](http://imageshack.us/scaled/thumb/855/76561581.jpg)
![Image](http://imageshack.us/scaled/thumb/802/70018379.jpg)
![Image](http://imageshack.us/scaled/thumb/42/52657711.jpg)
Step 8 is by far the most skeptical part of this
you will remove the rubber o-ring from the part noted in this picture, & then grind through the part & knock it off of the shaft.
this must be done with EXTREME care, as 1 nick to the shaft will have to be smoothed out ultimately. & thats not a fun task. so, don't nick the shaft & use caution in removing the metal ring.
i reccomend a dremel & a cutting disc if you have one present & available.
remove the rubber seals as well, none of them are needed anymore. as it does not hold fluid.
![Image](http://imageshack.us/scaled/thumb/43/1111zkj.jpg)
Final Step
Metal lines.... if you can weld cut the metal tubes & slide the fittings off. weld the hole shut & insert the fittings.
If you don't have a welder, crimp them very well & short keep them out of the way.
Reassemble everything in the reverse order of dissasembly. LUBRICATE EVERYTHING with a very high end grease capable of high stress load. extra grease won't hurt anything so load it up.
I don't have torque figures for the nut on the pinion shaft so snug it but don't damage the bearing.
"You have to take that part off. You do not have to CUT it off -- there is a retaining ring that can be pried off and then that should slide off the shaft. Remember, they had to assemble it somehow."
- This last part was a comment on ClubProtege by another member, I can not verify the information, but I figured it was worth mentioning here.