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Thread: Rack & Pinion

  1. #1
    Spaz is My Mentor SMWS6TA's Avatar
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    Navy Blue Metallic
    98 T/A w/ mods, 00 FBVert

    Rack & Pinion

    How hard is it to change this out if you have access to a garage with lift and tools?

    I spot some drops on the driveway and thought at first ah shit oil leak, looked under, nope nada. Well WTH?? I jacked it up and put on stands. There is a glob of stuff on the K member, I feel the top side of K member and there is a puddle right under the lines that go into the rack & pinion. I can't tell if it is a hose leak of the R&P assembly.

    Any ideas on how to check?


    Also, as I look at parts I see there are 2 kinds:

    With Firm Ride-Handling suspension (F41)
    Without Firm Ride-Handling suspension (F41)



    Which one and why?

  2. #2
    Veteran pajeff02's Avatar
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    Spaz just changed out his rack over the summer and may have posted a thread on it. As I recall, there is an issue with one bolt that has to be cut in order to remove it.

    ----------------------------------------

    Here it is: http://www.ls1.com/forums/showthread...highlight=rack

  3. #3
    The Bandit Wesman's Avatar
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    1998 Trans Am WS6

    Quote Originally Posted by SMWS6TA View Post
    How hard is it to change this out if you have access to a garage with lift and tools?

    I spot some drops on the driveway and thought at first ah shit oil leak, looked under, nope nada. Well WTH?? I jacked it up and put on stands. There is a glob of stuff on the K member, I feel the top side of K member and there is a puddle right under the lines that go into the rack & pinion. I can't tell if it is a hose leak of the R&P assembly.

    Any ideas on how to check?


    Also, as I look at parts I see there are 2 kinds:

    With Firm Ride-Handling suspension (F41)
    Without Firm Ride-Handling suspension (F41)



    Which one and why?
    The rack itself is very easy to get to. I haven't removed mine, but from what I've read, the main issue is that to remove one of the rack bolts the engine has to be lifted slightly. When you install the new rack, the bolt can be inserted from the other direction, so there is plenty of clearance.

    As for the F41 package, you need to check your RPO codes sticker to see if you have that package or not. That will tell you wich rack you need to buy.

  4. #4
    O U 8 1 2 Spaz's Avatar
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    1999 trans am

    Quote Originally Posted by SMWS6TA View Post
    How hard is it to change this out if you have access to a garage with lift and tools?

    I spot some drops on the driveway and thought at first ah shit oil leak, looked under, nope nada. Well WTH?? I jacked it up and put on stands. There is a glob of stuff on the K member, I feel the top side of K member and there is a puddle right under the lines that go into the rack & pinion. I can't tell if it is a hose leak of the R&P assembly.

    Any ideas on how to check?


    Also, as I look at parts I see there are 2 kinds:

    With Firm Ride-Handling suspension (F41)
    Without Firm Ride-Handling suspension (F41)



    Which one and why?
    ther are two kinds or steering racks depending on what suspension your car came with... the code is on the driver side door... make sure oyu get the right one...

    the driver side bolt had to get cut... it's a pretty easy job to do...

    i don't know a good way to test it other than to run air pressure through the steering fluod box and have some one look to see if a line is leaking... mine went bad around the shaft...

  5. #5
    Spaz is My Mentor SMWS6TA's Avatar
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    Navy Blue Metallic
    98 T/A w/ mods, 00 FBVert

    MY RPO shows: FE2 : SUSPENSION SYSTEM, RIDE HANDLING


    Any clues what this means in regards to these parts {R&P replacement} below?

    With Firm Ride-Handling suspension (F41)
    Without Firm Ride-Handling suspension (F41)
    Last edited by SMWS6TA; 10-28-2009 at 05:38 PM.

  6. #6
    The Bandit Wesman's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by SMWS6TA View Post
    MY RPO shows: FE2 : SUSPENSION SYSTEM, RIDE HANDLING
    Click for full size

    Any clues what this means in regards to these parts {R&P replacement} below?

    With Firm Ride-Handling suspension (F41)
    Without Firm Ride-Handling suspension (F41)
    That means you do not have RPO F41, so you would select the rack that says "Without F41 Firm Ride/Handling".

  7. #7
    Spaz is My Mentor SMWS6TA's Avatar
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    Navy Blue Metallic
    98 T/A w/ mods, 00 FBVert

    Thx.

    What if I do put on on? Will it work? Is it like an upgrade?

  8. #8
    The Bandit Wesman's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by SMWS6TA View Post
    Thx.

    What if I do put on on? Will it work? Is it like an upgrade?
    Good question. It would definitely be an upgrade (quicker ratio), but I'm not sure if they are 100% interchangeable.

  9. #9
    Spaz is My Mentor SMWS6TA's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Wesman View Post
    Good question. It would definitely be an upgrade (quicker ratio), but I'm not sure if they are 100% interchangeable.
    ^^^^^^^^^

    Paging any certified GM mechanics? Can you answer that? I'm asking because both parts are available for my 98' T/A.

  10. #10
    The Bandit Wesman's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by SMWS6TA View Post
    ^^^^^^^^^

    Paging any certified GM mechanics? Can you answer that? I'm asking because both parts are available for my 98' T/A.
    I think you would need a Hollander interchange manual, if anything.

  11. #11
    Veteran pajeff02's Avatar
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    Check with Spaz -- he had the wrong rack ordered for his car and could probably let you know what the difference is.

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