Steering rack install

[secondchance]

About a year and a half ago started to notice a bit of dead spot going straight. Also started to notice a sensation of front tires skipping under heavy acceleration. These symptoms were followed by outer edges of front tires wearing rapidly. Last summer I had my car on Rich's lift. With front end raised, moving the front tire/wheel left and right, I could hear light clanking noise coming from tie or dinner ends. I could just replace the tie rods but since I have racked up 158,000 miles, figured might as well replace the entire rack.

Of course, there are no NOS steering rack available. All major Corvette parts stores, Mid America, Corvette Central, Zip, Ecklers, and a few vendors on Ebay carry rebuilt units. Typical price ranged from $219 to around $400.
My preference would have been to have mine rebuilt by reputable rebuilder such as Turn One, but not an option since I didn't want to tie up Rich's lift for weeks.

For what it's worth, figured reputable Corvette Vendor (as opposed to unknown Ebay vendor) may have better quality control - I hope!

Luck would have it, Ecklers's had $50 off sale which reduced the price to $169 (or so) plus shipping (I think $49) and $300 core charge. Also, picked up some GM power steering fluid.

Old rack and new. New rack with tie rods eyeballed to the same length left and right with shaft connection clocked the same.
http://i658.photobucket.com/albums/uu303/byongyun/IMG_0298_zpscq0oiqpt.jpg (http://s658.photobucket.com/user/byongyun/media/IMG_0298_zpscq0oiqpt.jpg.html)

Rack ready for removal with roll bar and power steering cooler unbolted and out of way.
http://i658.photobucket.com/albums/uu303/byongyun/IMG_0296_zpsuzojdszt.jpg (http://s658.photobucket.com/user/byongyun/media/IMG_0296_zpsuzojdszt.jpg.html)

http://i658.photobucket.com/albums/uu303/byongyun/IMG_0297_zpswm4b3rnd.jpg (http://s658.photobucket.com/user/byongyun/media/IMG_0297_zpswm4b3rnd.jpg.html)

New rack in place and cooler re-mounted.
http://i658.photobucket.com/albums/uu303/byongyun/IMG_0299_zpsm6c5cjou.jpg (http://s658.photobucket.com/user/byongyun/media/IMG_0299_zpsm6c5cjou.jpg.html)

Phil, Jim, Gibby and Al joined me and Rich and pitched in to help. Phil's "gentle" persuasion was necessary to remove the old unit.

After 8 hours of frustration, a lot of help from Rich and a pair of very greasy hands, no more sloppy ride and crystal clear power steering fluid!

[Roadster]

Sounds and looks like a very successful day....great pics....
Is that your build date in pic #3 which looks like 3 21 94? Or do those numbers have a different meaning???

[secondchance]

Great eyes! I guess so...

[Scrrem]

Yeah Yun, it was a bit of a scary job but as unusual, WAZOO prevailed. I got really concerned when backing that rack bolt out and it butted itself against the front cover of the motor. You and the pry bar became good friends...LOL! We can tackle those lower ball joints another day.
Rich

[WVZR-1]

Is that your build date in pic #3 which looks like 3 21 94? Or do those numbers have a different meaning???



That looks to be cross-member part# 10205043 and build information for that component. It might be interesting to compare the 3/24 date to the Certification Label mo/year info OR if Yun actually has the build sheet then compare the two dates.

[secondchance]

That looks to be cross-member part# 10205043 and build information for that component. It might be interesting to compare the 3/24 date to the Certification Label mo/year info OR if Yun actually has the build sheet then compare the two dates.

Unfortunately, my build sheet is still glued to the gas tank. I saw it when the rear bumper was removed for painting but left it alone.

[secondchance]

Yeah Yun, it was a bit of a scary job but as unusual, WAZOO prevailed. I got really concerned when backing that rack bolt out and it butted itself against the front cover of the motor. You and the pry bar became good friends...LOL! We can tackle those lower ball joints another day.
Rich

I think my lower ball joints are still good. I never slacked when it came to greasing them. More importantly, never got so greedy to pop the boot with excessive grease.

[secondchance]

WVZR-1,

Hope all is well.
Are you able to check if power steering cooler is ZR-1 specific or the same unit used for LT1/LT4 cars?
Mine looked a bit banged up. If it's the same with LT1 cars, I can pick up a good used one, clean it and replace.

[WVZR-1]

WVZR-1,

Hope all is well.
Are you able to check if power steering cooler is ZR-1 specific or the same unit used for LT1/LT4 cars?
Mine looked a bit banged up. If it's the same with LT1 cars, I can pick up a good used one, clean it and replace.

All seems well! Thanks for asking!

By application it's '92 - '95 LT5 cars only!

[secondchance]

By application it's '92 - '95 LT5 cars only!

Happen to have GM part number by any chance?

[A26B]

WVZR-1,....
Mine looked a bit banged up. .................

I don't think it looks bad enough to replace. 1 hour + couple of Buds + needle nose pliers + a fin comb = it'll look just fine.

[WVZR-1]

Happen to have GM part number by any chance?

'92 - '95 # 26033592 - I'm aware of no changes, Dealer would have likely been something around $250 when it went OBSOLETE. Retail maybe $440

'90& '91 # 26016988 -

I've '96 SPO INFO that show retail of the early @ $160 and the later @ $340

I'm with Jerry regarding yours some time spent combing and straightening fins might go a long way. Don't get carried away!!

[secondchance]

I know - can't even see it unless the car is on a lift. But, I keep getting into "considering what I saved by installing the rack myself..." mode.
Considering the price, hell with a couple of Buds! We are talking some good single malt!
Unless I am missing something, I should be able to make cooler for LT1 car work, don't you think? Mounting flange is the same and one line in and onle line out.

[secondchance]

Don't get carried away!!

I've crossed that bridge a while ago...

[dredgeguy]

Unfortunately, my build sheet is still glued to the gas tank. I saw it when the rear bumper was removed for painting but left it alone.

I can pick you up a copy of your build sheet at the BG gathering if you want. Just let me know.

[secondchance]

I can pick you up a copy of your build sheet at the BG gathering if you want. Just let me know.

Would you?! That would be great!
It's 1994 #256.

[secondchance]

Since the steering rack and rod ends were replaced, I thought 4 wheel alignment would finish the work. Pretty straight forward, I thought...
Well, I thought wrong. Thursday I took my Z to a shop thought to be pretty good with tires and alignment. Of course, in order to go up the ramp for the alignment, I had to remove the front air dam - ok, no problem.
After diddling with the car the mechanic huddles with the shop manager for awhile. Manager calls me over to tell me that it would take minimum 4 hours because of camber adjustment is with shims - $529! Besides, to do the work, bring it another day and leave the car with them - are you kidding me?!
So, I drive to another shop. Manager says no problem! 30 minutes later, the manager calls me to tell me that his mechanic checked YouTube, yes! YouTube, on how to align C4 and feels uncomfortable to work on my Z.
Friday, I went to a local NTB. I had to roll up my sleeves, played with shims to get the camber right and let the mechanic finish the rest. Ended up teaching the mechanic how to adjust C4 front camber and, in return, learned how to read alignment machine read outs.

What happened to real mechanics?!

[secondchance]

With steering rack replaced and wheels aligned, since I had my front air dam (M1 Prowler) off the car, gave it a good wet sanding and re sprayed it before reinstall.
Also decided to install black plastic steering rag joint cover - what a pain! Managed to slip the cover over the steering housing, under the clamp, held the clamp in place while getting 7 mm socket over the hex and tighten without being able to see it. That took some patience...
All done! :cheers:

[dredgeguy]

Would you?! That would be great!
It's 1994 #256.

No problem, your covered:cheers:

[WARP TEN]

Unfortunately, my build sheet is still glued to the gas tank. I saw it when the rear bumper was removed for painting but left it alone.

When I had my '93 (Jim's QB93) and took off the license plate bracket I could see my tank sticker. I removed and saved it in a picture frame. It turned out to be easy to remove, as I recall just using my fingers although I might have used a paint scraper. I approached it carefully and it turned out to be attached with only a couple of spots of some adhesive, which gave away fairly easily. You might try sometime to see if it can be removed easily. If not, leave it in place and as suggested by Charlie, order a copy from the Museum. --Bob

[secondchance]

When I had my '93 (Jim's QB93) and took off the license plate bracket I could see my tank sticker. I removed and saved it in a picture frame. It turned out to be easy to remove, as I recall just using my fingers although I might have used a paint scraper. I approached it carefully and it turned out to be attached with only a couple of spots of some adhesive, which gave away fairly easily. You might try sometime to see if it can be removed easily. If not, leave it in place and as suggested by Charlie, order a copy from the Museum. --Bob

I think I'll just have Charlie pick up a copy. Mine was tucked in a bit and I didn't want to risk ripping it.

Thanks.