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I have removed my steering rack for repairs, during removal the u joint (2) fell off the spline (3). Now I have the greatest difficulty getting it back on. As one can see below there is mention of a roll pin on the u joint, however mine does not have that roll pin or any other indicator how to line them up. I have tried all different positions trying to slide it on but it won't. Any hints?
"however mine does not have that roll pin or any other indicator how to line them up"
You may have the shaft socket rotated so you can't see the pin. Put your finger inside the splined socket and you should be able to feel for the alignment pin.
It can be challenging to get the spline joint back in.
Andy
I serviced the steering rack a while back too. Mine didn't have a roll pin and I forgot to mark the spline shaft.
It took several tries but eventually when it lined up it slid right in. The tolerance is very tight so you will need to finesse them together making micro adjustments via trial and error.
"however mine does not have that roll pin or any other indicator how to line them up"
You may have the shaft socket rotated so you can't see the pin. Put your finger inside the splined socket and you should be able to feel for the alignment pin.
It can be challenging to get the spline joint back in.
Andy
There is no alignment pin on the inside of the splined socket, inside it has 4 flat areas and in between each 3 splines, all symmetrical.
I serviced the steering rack a while back too. Mine didn't have a roll pin and I forgot to mark the spline shaft.
It took several tries but eventually when it lined up it slid right in. The tolerance is very tight so you will need to finesse them together making micro adjustments via trial and error.
Did you have to use some force at all, to slide it back in? I can get it in like 4mm but then it seems stuck.
There is a tool (it's a bolt) that you use to lock the steering rack and wheels in the straight ahead position when doing an alignment.
Maybe try that (or at least make sure the holes are lined up).
Then you have a reference for straight. Maybe that will help ?
I forgot that detail... yes it helps you put a centering bolt in the steering rack to lock it dead center. I remember I used a metric bolt from Ace hardware and ground it down to a point on a bench grinder.
Originally Posted by FlyingDutchman
Did you have to use some force at all, to slide it back in? I can get it in like 4mm but then it seems stuck.
I remember it slid right in when it lined up. I had the bottom u joint disconnected from the steering rack too to help with assembly.
Getting the u joint connected to the rack was a big PIA and took some force!
I have the bottom u-joint disconnected also. I have tried multiple times to line it up and have tried all possible positions by turning the socket a little bit at the time. It almost seems it was never on there, i just doesn't want to slide back in for more than 4mm or so, then it seems stuck. Out of desperation I am contemplating to remove the entire steering shaft (anybody done that?) in order to get better access... and slide it back while on the bench... hopefully
03-03-2020, 01:38 PM
u joint re-installation problem
