Anyone replaced a steering rack bushing?

Once removed, highly recommend a torque wrench for when you reinstall them. The bolts get 121 and 143 ft lbs. Don't want to over or under torque these bolts.

 

Haven't tried that way but I don't see why not. It does make the job easier on Jack stands.

 

Huh, haven't tried. I just like being able to move things around when I'm pulling steering parts out, so I've always used jack stands.

 

I used jack stands as well. I left the PS lines connected to the rack but I did disconnect one bracket on the driver's side that holds the PS hard lines to the frame. Disconnecting that one 12mm bolt gave me even more wiggle room with the rack. I did not need to disconnect the outer tie rod ends either. Definitely remove your sway bar if it's still there in the way.

 

So I haven’t touched my tie rods or my sway bar which might be the issue. I can’t get my steering rack to move worth a crap to get the old bushings out. Any tips or ideas? Trying not to say screw it and buy a new truck

 

Ya you don't even need to cut actually

 

Yes, use jacks. You need to remove the tie-rod ends and it's a lot easier when the tires/wheels can move in/out freely. Mark exactly where the jamb nuts line up and you may not need an alignment afterwards.

 

I didn't use jack stands, nor did I disconnect the tie-rod ends. I did disconnect the sway bar, tho the Poly Kit I got had sway bar bushings as well. Also used dish detergent to help with the poly bushings install on the rack.

 

Probably true.

Don't have to remove the tie rod ends. I did find it was easier to maneuver if you disconnect the driver side tie rod though. You would remove at the spindle, no need to mark the nuts at all.

 

my problem is I can’t knock the bushings out nor get the middle one out now because I can’t move it enough

 

yeah no tie-rod removal here either. But have heard it makes the job easier.

 

This is video I followed when I did mine. Was a couple years ago so I can't recall exactly how easily I got that center one out or not.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQ7i7QVx-lA

as a bonus, the dude is pretty funny

 

watched it a few times. No clue how he has so much movement. Oh well keep tinkering I go

 

Big pry bar. Just be careful not to stress the steering joint too much. The part that goes up toward your steering wheel.

 

Ok, so what did YOU do?

 

To get mine out I used the big c clamp that timmy used....hooked up to a cordless impact...

Pop off one side of tie rod to steer knuckle, and on ps feed line there's a clamp to frame near pump helps to pop loose.....then was able to swing a little bit....

(258) Steering Rack and Front Sway Bar Bushing Replacement Tutorial - YouTube

 

when you pull back, you're pulling on the tie-rods, which are attched to the wheels, which is why I recommend either removing the whole rack or at least putting the truck on jack stands

 

I recall the center bushing being the most tricky. Regarding how to get more movement in the rack with the tie rods still connected which is what I did, I really think disconnecting the hard line bracket at the frame helped a bunch. From beneath the truck, I pushed up on the rack itself while also pushing it towards the rear of the truck just enough to get the old bushing out and the new one installed. I did this on jack stands.

 

So others have said they didn't need a ball joint press but you might. I know mine were cemented in there. The second link I posted early on in this thread shows a good approach.

Also, any photos of which bushings and your progress?

 

agree with others, I disconnected the outer tie rods from the spindles to get movement. replaced the left two bushing first as the bolt comes out at the front diff (awkward angles) but the other two are easy

you may still want to get an alignment but not absolutely necessary if you don't adjust or move the OTRE. also I do not remember using any press to remove my bushings, probably because at that point they were bad enough to just push out by hand