Steering Rack
03-23-2019, 06:41 PM
#1
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Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Memphis, TN 1987 S4
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Steering Rack
ok, on my 89, I took the rack out to replace bushings. When I put it back in, I didn’t center the steering wheel which is why I can’t get it aligned. Do I need to remove tie rods to remove the rack from the steering knuckle?
03-23-2019, 06:58 PM
#2
Burning Brakes
The steering wheel does not matter, you can re-align it later. Make sure your wheel alignment is done so that the rack is centered. There is a plastic plug on the front of the rack, remove it and with the wheels straight ahead you should see a divot on the bar inside (you can get or make a special bolt to lock the rack in place during the alignment). Once the wheel alignment is complete but the steering wheel is off center, pull the horn pad and I use an impact wrench with a 1" 1/16 or 1" 1/8 socket to loosen the nut. Leave the nut on and hand tighten it. Now drive somewhere quiet that you can go perfectly straight and stop. Remove the nut, remove the steering wheel and align it so that it looks right. Put the nut back on and see how it is. If still off center, try again. If good, drive home and tighten the nut properly with the impact wrench and reinstall the horn pad. Done 