dnwong

My steering rack was leaking like crazy out of both boots.

So, in a rush to take out the rack in the 27degree weather, I removed the inner tie rod ends with the rack still mounted on the car as opposed to removing the rack with tie rods off the car.

One was very loose and it turned without removing the notch flange. The other was a little tighter but still did not hold the rack while removing. They certainly did not seem to be at 61ft lbs (torque requirements).

As I read after the fact, folks are saying that I should have secured the rack before loosening the inner rods. Did I damage the rack. How can I tell?

Arominus

Put it back together and see if it works and leaks worse. I doubt you hurt it though if they were that loose.

Dougs951S

The rack is designed to have the tie rods removed from it and torqued up to it while it is bolted to the cross member. It is improper to do so with the rack off the car and presumably in a vice. There is the possibility of damaging the tube if it is not worked on while still attached to the car, and this is the most common reason for cores being denied due to damage. The proper way to remove the inner tie rods is to use a hammer and punch to pry back the dovetail joint, then turn them off with a large wrench, do not counterhold the rack while doing this.

dnwong

Great. Makes me feel better that I probably did not do severe damage to the rack before starting the reseal process.

KevinGross

The only thing that matters, in car or out, is whether you counterheld the rack while removing or installing the tie rod. The tie rods can be safely removed or installed with the rack in the car or out.

Kevin
Catellus Engineering