Elmiko

I decided to tackle a steering rack rebuild my self this weekend-so far, it hasn't been too bad. I have the pinion shaft assembly out, and now I need to remove the ends of the housing itself to get the shaft out. I just want to be sure-there is what looks like compression nuts or threaded rings with 2 slots that seem to secure the tube part of the housing in to the ends. I'm sure the pro rebuilders use a special large socket with 2 teeth at 180 degrees from each other, but i don't have that luxury. I've marinated the nuts them in PB Blaster, and used a hammer and screwdriver in the slot to loosen them, but all I'm doing is gouging the slots-the nuts don't seem to be moving. Is this the way to do it?

GlenL

You've got the idea.

I've found them to be stuck and resorted to a hammer and a drift. Tap in the slots alternately to drive the thread part around. Hold the end and drive the collar.

RET

If you don't want to beat the steering rack apart, you can modify a BMW3031 spanner from Sir Tools (ninth tool down on the page):

http://www.sirtools.com/bmw_tools.htm



It did not quite fit my steering rack, but a little work with a drum sander deepened the throat enough and it worked very well.

Those rings were tight! The hard part was holding the rack to loosen as well as tighten the rings: they should be aligned properly when you are done. I ended up clamping the assembly onto the table of my milling machine.

FWIW, it seems that some rebuilders don't have a problem deforming the end castings in a vise and beating the rings into scrap metal and then selling the results. Personally, I don't agree with that philosophy.

I would suggest that you either find the right tool, or find a good rebuilder that will provide a properly reworked rack (I was not able to...), or get a rebuilt rack from ZF in Germany (NOT from the US rebuilder for the ZF distributor....).

Good luck.

Cheburator

Spoke to ZF in Germany on Friday - no stock of 1987-on steering racks for our cars. Minimum wait is 3 mths... Porsche Germany have stock - EUR 950+VAT+postage... Eeeek!

Elmiko

Finally got then off. The key was giving the PB Blaster time to work AND using a square end drift. The scredriver was too sharp and just cut into the slot. Thanks for the advice!