Date: Sat, 8 Dec 2007 18:14:22 -0800
Reply-To: TC <trclark@SHAW.CA>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: TC <trclark@SHAW.CA>
Subject: Re: Ball joints and steering rack
Content-type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
>The parts are here, and I will soon be tackling the replacement of
>upper ball joints and the steering rack on my '91 Vanagon GL
Just did my rack today at a friends with a lift
I'd not want the hassle if you dont have some good clearance its not bad if
you have the right gear
-lift
-air wrench real nice if not- good socket/ wrench set, breaker/cheater bar
-big 19 mm & I think 22mm long wrench
-real nice to have a tie-rod spreader thingy to get the outside tir-rods off
the wheel
- pb blaster the 4 hold downs, outer-tie rod ends, hp/lp lines, steering
collar
-b4 you start work
get under there & see if the hp & lp lines will come off w/o cracking
breaking
if it looks bad order custom hp / lp lines
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=259675
-make sure the rebuilt rack has new bushing & good quality boots
(some of the cheaper units use NO name brand boots I look for some mfg
marking not low life Chinese knocks offs)
-buy the long rack with the tie rod & new outer tie-rod ends
-roll back the inner (bigger) end of the boot on the rack & make sure the
rebuilder peened the
little washer that locks the tie - rod shaft to the power steering shaft
here our r & r order
1. unbolt the hp feed/lp return lines let em empty out & go for coffee
2. pop outer the cotter pins, unbolt the outer tie-rod ends then get em off
the wheel with that tie-rod spreader thingy
3. loosen off the steering shaft collar & hit with a couple good wacks to
get it off the shaft
4. un-bolt the 4 hold downs that go through the mount bushings
5. remove from the vehicle
6. lay out the old & new racks & turn the steering shaft on both fully
right( or left)
7. adjust the left/right outer tie rods so they are the same length as the
old unit
(this gets you the basic right adjustment b4 you go get an alignment)
8. get the new rack in place, cost the 4 bolts with anti-seize, loose fit
the 4 hold down bolts DONT tighten
9. get the steering shaft collar on, them wack with hammer to fit
10. get the outer tie rod-end in place & bolt up, install new cotter pins
11. tighten the 4 hold down bolts
12 attach the hp/lp lines
13.fill up with full the reservoir with sync atf dextron
14. get partner to move the steering from right to left & you go fill up
resivoir as the pump captivates
15. check for leaks :)
that should be about 2-3hrs depending how much rust
OK that was all fresh in my head should do that more often :)
|