Got the new rack in. :woohoo: All in all the steering rack swap went well. Opted to disconnect the lines from the power steering pump rather than the rack. Much less likely to cross thread the hydraulic lines. The bolts came out pretty easily.
Replaced the outer tie rods too. Removed the old inner/outer tie rods as one piece to make the alignment easier. just measure the old stuff and count the threads, ya know. Didn’t work that way. The new inner tie rods are 4″ longer than the existing ones. That only left 5-6 threads on either side. I had to thread the new outer tie rods all the way in as far as they would go (both sides) just to get it somewhat aligned and I’m still toe in too far on both sides.
Was thinking of cutting one inch off both sides of the inner tie rods… otherwise there is no play to do a proper alignment. That will effect the waranty on the rack?
On my maiden voyage of about 200 yards I had some bad luck while turning around in a parking lot. I tried to drive around a puddle since my car has no splash guards. My front end caught a piece of steel sticking out of the ground. The impact pulled the steel out further. I thought I was caught in a hole and tried to back up and well… didn’t go well. The steel bar lodged in the back of my oil pan. I jacked the car up and cut the steel bar. The strangest stuff happens ya know. No one got hurt and there is no real bad damage. So it was good for a laugh.
Know I got to finish up exhaust and I left the o2 sensor wire hanging. I just wanted to take it for a quick test drive.
Yes I do plan on installing skid plates and splash gaurds.
So much fun to come!