Anyone replace their rack and pinion themselves??

[mwoodengr]

I have a '05 PT Cruiser convert that the rack and pinion is going bad. Has anyone done this replacements themselves? I have read online that the crossmember must be drop to get to the rack and pinion (i think the same bolts that hold the crossmember up are the aft control arm bolts). Makes sense as this is what it looks like when I looked under the car.

Any help would be appreciated.

Heres how I think it will go;
1) raise and support front of car
2) remove wheels, brakes and rotors
3) remove outer tie rod end from spindle
4) remove lower control arm from spindle
5) remove rear lower control arm bolt
6) remove remaining crossmember bolts and lower crossmember to access steering shaft connection
7) disconnect steering shaft from the steering assembly. Is this a bolt or a pin? If its a pin is the pin re-usable?
8) lower crossmember to get to rack and pinion mounting bolts, remove bolts and disconnect power steering hoses. disconnect electrical connection for rack and pinion sensor.
9) remove old rack and pinion assembly
10) install in reverse order
11) get a front end alignment

Am I missing anything?

Thanks in advance.

[mwoodengr]

Anyone thinking about doing this just beware that the pin the holds the steering knuckle to the rack and pinion is a total pain to remove. There is a special tool to get it out, but it cost $75 and access is very limited. Unless you like cursing at your car, this is one repair best left up to a shop. Took me over 5hrs, mainly due the pin. If it would have used a simple bolt, the job could have been done in less than 3hrs.

[smiley1120]

Were these the steps to remove change out the rack? I am looking to do this job this tuesday and just need a little help.

[lowpt]

As best I remember, that is it. I do suggest getting a repair manual to have on hand. You need to mark the assembly that the rack is mounted to, on the underneath of the car, in order to install it back in the correct position. Step 7 was the hardest for me. There is a pin (or was it a bolt) inside the car that needs to be removed. I had to lay on my back in the floor of the car to get to it.

[mechgi77]

I know this post is older but anyway, the rack and pinion job is not all that difficult if you have some mechanical ability. The haynes manual walks you right through it also. You do not need a special tool to remove the roll pin or the bolt/pin inside the car. A proper sized punch will take the roll pin out and a wrench for the inside, if you can I would replace the roll pin but as long as you don't mess it up removing it it will go back in with a punch. A few things I want to mention about the procedure are: Ensure you mark the position of the cross member before you remove it, it has to go back how it came off, you will need to bleed the power steering system completely after you are finished, this is also a good time to inspect the mesh filter inside the power steering reservoir for clogging since all your fluid will be drained most likely. If its clogged, replace the reservoir, also when working around the steering column , use caution because of the airbags. Other than that its a pretty straight forward job. Above all else, if you don't know what you are doing or aren't sure if you can perform the job, get someone that knows what they are doing or take it to the shop!