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Steering rack fluid...

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Nunyas

Nunyas

Yoda
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Hi all,

I'm thinking about replacing my steering rack gaiters/seals/boots or what have ya this weekend if I can get the tie-robs to separate from the steering arms (I've tried several times in the past with no luck... I have a pitman arm puller/tie-rod end sepparator tool to help this time). I was wondering what type of fluid to refill it with. Also, where is the place to refill it at? Is it by removing the cover on the pinion box and refilling there?

thanks
 
The older ones had a nipple in the centre of the cover you mention. The newer ones do not: Too many peeps put grease in 'em. They should have oil in 'em. In your climate a hypoid gear oil 80~90W would be just fine... DON'T overfill it as it'll POP your new gaitors. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
 
The Dr, has it right. Use 90 weight oil or some variation there of.
 
Rob, A trick that has always worked for me to remove the tie rod ends is to apply force down on the tie rod, while hitting the side of the steering arm, where the end goes through, with an air hammer. The vibration pops them out every time with out ruining the rubber seal. If you slip the gaitor off the rack the old fluid will drain. I then put the gaitor back on but slide a small screwdriver between the gaitor and the rack to allow the air to purge out when refilling with 80/90 gear lube. This will prevent the gaitor from blowing up like a balloon. Rick
 
eh... I think BL has it in for me. It seems the tie rod end has rusted to the steering rod threads pretty good. I just soaked it heavily with 3in1 penetrating oil. Hopefully that'll help the tie rod end break free later. I think I'm gonna have to call it quits on the gaiters for this weekend, and give it another go after letting them soak a while.

any tips on how to hold the steering rod still while attempting to break the tie rod end free from the threading? the ball joint connecting it to the rest of the rack does its job and all I can do is spin the stupid thing...

hmmm... just had a brain tingle... you guys think this'll work? "unscrew" (i.e. away from the tie rod end) the locking nut to the end of the threads. put the tie rod end back into the steering arm, and use the locking nut to break the tie rod end free of the steering rod... I have to ask cause the is the first time I've tried to do anything with a tie rod end besides disconnecting it from a spindle assy and I don't wanna break my steering compnents... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/nonod.gif
 
Unless I'm going to be replacing the tie rod ends I just pull the steering arm off he back of the spindle, then unthread the tie rod w/ steering arm attached. As for rack lube I use a straight 50 weight. Use some 1/4" id tubing and a funnel to fill thru the top of one of the gaiters at the big end by just stretching a little.
 
Well David, that's pretty much what I ended up doing. I detached the steering arm from the spindle assy. However, I was unable to get the tie rod end to unthread from the steering rod. I soaked them in penetrating oil today. I'll give it another go next weekend, but if I still can't get it to break free from the rods I may just take this one into my local LBC mech...
 
I found a pumper's vice at a garage sale and it is for pipe so that woork for me. Also, a little gas wrench is some times needed. Just a dumb question, are those both right handed threads?
 
I'm doing this very job this coming week. Feel free to swing by if you like. I'll probably be working on it on Tuesday.
 
I want to be there but it's 12 hours away and I have to change a head gasket in the next two weeks. I got my 96 Chevy back from my son and the passenger door won't open. Going to do that this weekend. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grouphug.gif
 
eh... I just remembered I'm leaving for FL next weekend. I guess the job will have to wait til after I get back.
 
And it seems none of us are getting the opp this time to get together. Drat!
 
Hey Nunyas! For what it is worth, if you haven't finished with the rack boot replacement I might humbly suggest that you look at Janel's thread concerning tie rod end replacement. I posted a somewhat lengthy entry there, which Janel was kind enough to clean up the next day, that covered the subject fairly well. I know that everyone has an opinion but mine is that grease is the only way to go. Details: See the post. Cheers, Jack
 
yes yes yes! I read that lovely post! I may tackle it after the holidays, because I've been unable to break the tie-rod ends free of the rods as of yet.

Lots of GREAT tips in that post of yours, thanks for spreading the wealth of information! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
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