justin

I am replacing the worn out steering knuckle, the one from the steering shaft to the rack, I cant get it off the shafts, on either end, do I need to loosen the rack or what? Help please!!
Thanks

Garth S

Trick #1 - remove the pinch bolt(s): the bolt rides in a groove/channel cut into each shaft, making removal impossible - so loosening the nut does nothing.

Trick #2 - yes, if not enough slack is available, the rack mounts must be loosened. The top four 17mm nuts must be counter held, and are accessible with a shallow socket on a short ratchet. It would be faster to drop both the sway bar and the left rear wire harness mount.

JP Rodkey

Garth is right - bolts have to come completely out. Usually, the clamp is still pinched too tight to budge. Take a small flat blate chisel (or large sdrewdrive) and tap it into the clamp slit enough to loosen it's grip.

justin

So I do need to lossen the rack? I need about an half inch or so.

soontobered84

Justin,
If you have taken the bolts all the way out, AND opened up the clamp and you still need more room then yes you have to loosen the rack

JP Rodkey

It's not much work to loosen the five bolts on the bottom plate for the steering rack to get a little extra room. I have removed the joint without loosening the rack, but you have to be able to push the joint up further onto the steering shaft in order to get it off the rack pinion, then push the joint down and off.