Rack And Pinion Bushing Replacement, raise truck?

Is it really necessary to jack the truck up to change the rack and pinion bushings? Is it only noted to do so to have extra room to work? Or is there another underlying reason?

 

I put mine up on jackstands, mostly to have more working room. I don't think you have to but it makes the job a little easier having that extra room to work.

 

no, it is not necessary, but it would give you extra space, as digiratus mentioned. i did mine around christmas time without lifting it. did you get the energy suspension ones?

 

Yeah energy suspension kit from wheelers. And thanks 4 the info guys guess that means I can get this stuff done tomorrow now. My jack stands are too short since I lifted my truck, I'll grab some new ones this weekend.

 

nice, you'll be happy with them. and for $20, you can't go wrong. another thing you may check into is the . between the new bushings and that "mod"/fix, it's like a whole new truck!

 

x2, welding that thing did way more than the bushings for me.

 

i would agree. my original steering rack bushings were starting to look pretty bad and cracked, so i replaced them. i felt a minor improvement. i noticed a huge difference with the steering column weld. but for $20, i definitely feel it's a worthwhile endeavor!

 

Alright sweet thanks for the heads up buddy!

 

Is changing the 5 bushing's a difficult job or can the average person do it?

Any special tools required?

How long does it take on average with hand tools?

Thanks
Bones

 

Average person can do it. I did it with no experience at all last year. And fyi you do have to have the front end off the ground to get the rack off enough to get a bushing replaced.

 

Thanks for answering back. Do you have to take it loose from the tie rods or can you leave it hanging there to change the bushings?

 

you can leave it hanging.

make sure you cut the little lip off the old bushings before trying to press them out.

 

Steve O 77, i received an email that says you had submitted something for this forum but I don't see your entry.

 

Got you PM and went back to the forum to say thanks and low and behold your post is there now.
I appreciate the help.
Bones

 

no problem

 

Here I am 9 months later and finaly changing the bushings. I ordered the ones from Wheelers and am wondering if I want to jack the truck up and remove wheels or would ramps work as well? I have to buy one or the other so I thought ramps would be nice for oil changes etc. Is the job easier with the wheels out of the way?
Thanks

 

I didn't take my wheels off and didn't have a problem. I also left the tire rods connected.

 

Great, I guess I will buy some ramps instead of the jack stands. My hydraulic jack is to small for the height of this truck so the ramps would make sense at this time. I need to get it up higher as I have lots of bending and crawling issues Too darn old!
Thank You
Bones

 

I'm about to do mine later this week. I also got sway bar bushings and outter tie rods as well.

 

Thanks for the reply. I went and bought some ramps and between them and the sharp inclnie on part of the drive I have it up pretty high. Hope my arms are long enough now.
I got several of the bolts off but had to use a 7/8 6 point socket on one. I have another that is pointing straight down that needs a deep 7/8 socket or a longer one in 1/2 drive with 6 points. I tried using a 7/8 12 point and it is starting to roll off of the nut. What size is this nut in a wrench size? I might as well get it in mm's to fit correctly. I am guessing 20 or 21 mm.
Anyone, anyone at all?
When I worked on German cars back in the 70's all you needed was up to about a 19mm unless you were working on a VW then you might need a 30mm.
I just looked at conversion chart that say's it might be a 22mm.

Another edit, 22mm is equal to .866 thousanths so that is only .006 larger than my nut where as the 7/8 at .875 is .015 bigger than the nutso I guess the 22 has to be it.
Off to the store.