Rack and pinion help

**LV01gtp** · 08-17-2019

So I’ve been installing a new rack and pinion on my 01GTP. I’ve never done this before by the way lol. The issue I’m having is on the passenger side where it bolts to the frame. The 2 rubber pieces and the metal pin I’m supposed to put in between on the rack that slides down into the frame is my issue. It will not fit. Once I put the rubber boots and metal pin in its too wide to slide down into it. I know it’s supposed be a snug fit buts just physically too wide. Any ideas cause I’m dead in the water with this right now lol thanks!

**Scottydoggs** · 08-17-2019

lube it up and hammer it in there, can try to spread the ears a bit too. if you dont have the frame dropped, drop it some. adds a load of room to work in.

**LV01gtp** · 08-17-2019

I did drop the frame some and removed the sway bar and it does give a bit of room. I did grease it up but it’s physically too wide. I dunno if the pin is too long or if my frame ears are bent in and too narrow. I’ll try and widen them a little I guess. It was going ok up till then. Then I spent hours messing with this, now I’m just frustrated and wish I just had freaking Midas do this lol
how many inches is it okay to drop the frame?

**Scottydoggs** · 08-17-2019

take the dog bones off and you can drop it like 6 inches easy. thats how far it is in my pic there.

**LV01gtp** · 08-17-2019

I was able to pry the opening out a little bit and fit it in. So now I got everything mounted and tightened. I got the wheel back on passenger side all that’s left is driver wheel and the steering coupler. Now when removing the outer tie rod I measured the distance from the nut to end of the rack. And when installing them I set the nut to that. However my wheels seem to pointing opposite directions slightly. How do I correct that so there straight so I can do the coupler?. I’m assuming I adjust the tie rods but wanted to make sure

**Scottydoggs** · 08-17-2019

the shaft there, it only fits one way, dont affect the alignment. what i do is pull the shaft down as far as it will go, then jack the frame up to the shaft till it like a inch or two pushing the shaft back up, then work on getting it back on the rack nub.

once you got the wheels back on and its on the ground you can reach around the tire and turn the inner rod to adjust the toe in/out enough to get you to shop.

**LV01gtp** · 08-17-2019

So if the wheels are pointing out what way do I wanna turn the inner tie rods?

**Scottydoggs** · 08-17-2019

clock wise. aka to the right. wheels need to be on the ground to even think about getting it close. set the steering wheel straight, drop the car, eye ball the wheels, adjust the one that looks out.

**LV01gtp** · 08-17-2019

Ok so to make sure I dont f**k this up I go ahead now and install the coupler. then put both wheels on. Then drop car and turn clockwise on inner tie rods? Lol thanks man for the help

**Scottydoggs** · 08-17-2019

Originally Posted by LV01gtp

Ok so to make sure I dont f**k this up I go ahead now and install the coupler. then put both wheels on. Then drop car and turn clockwise on inner tie rods? Lol thanks man for the help

you got it. still gonna need an alignment tho. you can eye ball it kinda close but it wont be perfect and could kill a tire or two if driven to long.

**Scottydoggs** · 08-17-2019

our tie rod ends are on the back side of the wheel aint they? so it would be counter clock wise to toe in and clock wise for toe out.

**LV01gtp** · 08-17-2019

Oh for sure lol. I’m just trying to get this done tonight so I can take it to get aligned when the shop opens tomorrow.
So once done I add fluid... start her up let warm up then turn the wheel all the way one side to another to get air out? Then re check fluid and repeat as necessary, right?

**Scottydoggs** · 08-17-2019

you can bleed it before you take it off the jack stands, fill the res, engine on or off, turn the wheels lock to lock 15 times. should push out any air.

**LV01gtp** · 08-18-2019

Got it all done back together and adjusted the tie rods. At the shop getting alignment now. Turns so easy... it’s my second/project car so I don’t drive it a lot, but I’ve been driving it with no power steering since I got it in March lol