steering rack how to's?

**LS1 oldtimer** · 12-24-2010, 11:35 AM

Anyone seen any how to's or pics for the steering rack? I'd really like to see some before/after pics of the bolt that has to be cut and installed from the bottom. I seached but didn't see any. thanks

**Too Fast** · 12-24-2010, 01:24 PM

Don't have any pictures, but yeah, the drivers side rack hold down bolt won't come out unless you unbolt the motor mount and jack that side way up. Why they didn't put the bolt thru from the bottom is one of the questions I'd like to ask the damn engineers! I was doing a rack for a customer and thought I'd kill the labour time until I found out about that bolt.

**LS1 oldtimer** · 12-24-2010, 05:33 PM

Thanks for the reply. I would really like to see a full how to including a recomendeded teardown sequence and adjusting of the tie rods.

**Too Fast** · 12-26-2010, 07:49 AM

Originally Posted by LS1 oldtimer

Thanks for the reply. I would really like to see a full how to including a recomendeded teardown sequence and adjusting of the tie rods.

It really isn't a bad job. If you're handy taking things apart, you can do this. Have you done much auto work in your short life? And setting the tie rods, you can get it sorta close by eyeballing it, but a wheel alignment is required after a rack replacement. Unless you want to wear out your front tires in a few thousand miles....

**SS SLP2** · 12-26-2010, 10:28 PM

remove the nut push the bolt up cut off the head with a grinder or saw-saw the bolt will fall out the bottom, reinstall the new bolt from the bottom put nut on top.
If you are worried about the bolt comming loose and falling out( which I THINK is the reason it was installed OE) drill a small hole in bolt BEFORE installing after tighting nut insert a carter pin
The way I would do it, Johnny

**sjsingle1** · 12-27-2010, 03:26 AM

i bought a sawzall for the occasion......cutting that bolt was a PITA....but i thought it was easier than lifting the engine 4 inches

**LS1 oldtimer** · 12-29-2010, 05:52 AM

Thanks for the replies. I was finally able to get it up on a lift again and saw what ya'll are talking about. Mine seems to be leaking from the top where the endput shaft enters the rack and of all the threads i've read i have yet to see anyone talking about it leaking there. Anyway this will be my next project.