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Steering Rack Replacement Questions

Q

quickster

New member
2004 Pontiac Grand Prix GT 3800 Series 3.

Steering rack has a bad leak and planning on replacing soon, but I have some questions. Got under car today trying to figure out if it's magnasteer or not. Found wiring coming out the bottom of the steering gear (just below where the main hydraulic lines connect), found a plug at the end of it that had a rubber cover on it, as if it were disconnected and covered up. Found what I believe was the connector from the wiring harness that plugs into it. Can I assume it's magnasteer? Even with this disconnected, when the reservoir is full with fluid, the power steering works fine. Next question is, do I need to replace this rack with magnasteer, or will a less expensive non-magnasteer work just fine? Another question, is there an easy way of getting that rubber boot to slide off where it connects to the steering column to access that 11 mm pinch bolt? I tried today and couldn't get it to slide off. The leak appears to be coming out the driver's side seal. Thanks for any help.
 


I would replace it with the Magnasteer rack, but that's just me. I'm sure a standard rack would work fine. I had to cut a slit in the boot on my 00 GT to get it to slide up to get to that bolt. Its a PITA. And yea, if you have a 2 wire connector coming from rack near that boot then you have Maganasteer. IIRC the magansteer harness runs over the top of the trans near the black gear selector box for the trans. Think mine is blue in color.
 
Thanks FordMan77. I just wasn't sure about the connector because it comes directly from the bottom of steering gear (on the housing that has the main hydraulic fittings on it), and the pictures I see from local auto parts store sights, show it coming from the front. Didn't really know if any other steering racks for these cars even had wiring/connector. And yes, the harness connector I found was in that location and blue in color.

Does it matter where you make that slit, and how far up did you have to go?
 
I wouldn't think it matters. I cut mine in the front where I could reach it. Either did it through the wheelwell or from underneath, can't remember. I know it wasn't fun, lol. I cut it just enough so I could get a screwdriver under the edge of it and worked it around to break the seal loose and then just slid it up. I RTV'd the slit once I got the new rack in place and made sure everything was working 100%.
 
you guys talking about the boot that covers up the steering shaft, and 11 mm bolt holding it to the rack?

i jammed a screw driver up one side and then just pried it up, came right off, then you need 12 inches of extensions and a ratchet to get the bolt off. leave the screw driver in the boot to hold it up while you take the bolt out, then take the screw driver and pry the shaft up off the rack.

lock your steering wheel with the wheels straight, do not play with the steering wheel at all.
 


Thanks for the advice scottydoggs. Also, would it help at all to move the brake booster to better access the boot? Any other tips to make the steering gear replacement easier are welcome.
 
leave the brake booster alone, you can get the 2 lines off the box so to say from underneath the car, 18 mm line wrench.

this boot is remarkably tucked in well the only place to get to it is from the wheel well. the only other tip is maybe if you can some how spread the steering shaft end a bit after you take the bolt out, it may go back on easier, putting the shaft back on the new box is what most people have trouble with. having a friend up top wiggling the steering wheel is always a big help.
 
I've got a new problem. Looking at steering racks from NAPA, the NRP 221025 has an input shaft diameter of 11/16". The NRP 221023 has an input shaft diameter of 5/8". Does anyone know what the input shaft diameter of a 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix GT 3800 Series 3 might be?
 
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