Steering rack install - ZR-1 Net Registry Forums

secondchance · 02-20-2017

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.

Rack ready for removal with roll bar and power steering cooler unbolted and out of way.

New rack in place and cooler re-mounted.

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 · 02-20-2017

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 · 02-21-2017

Great eyes! I guess so...

Scrrem · 02-21-2017

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 · 02-21-2017

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roadster

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 · 02-21-2017

Quote:

Originally Posted by WVZR-1

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 · 02-21-2017

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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

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 · 02-21-2017

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 · 02-21-2017

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

All seems well! Thanks for asking!

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

secondchance · 02-21-2017

Quote:

Originally Posted by WVZR-1

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

Happen to have GM part number by any chance?

02-20-2017	#1
secondchance Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: McLean, VA Posts: 3,717	Steering rack install 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. Rack ready for removal with roll bar and power steering cooler unbolted and out of way. New rack in place and cooler re-mounted. 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! Last edited by secondchance; 02-20-2017 at 08:02 PM.

02-20-2017	#2
Roadster Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Warrington PA Posts: 1,913	Re: Steering rack install 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??? __________________ Tom 1994 ZR-1 #009 "captured test fleet car" 1974 LS4 454 Vert 1982 L83 CFI...now a retired "dd"....Sold WAZOO Member

02-21-2017	#4
Scrrem Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Alexandria, Virginia Posts: 1,467	Re: Steering rack install 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 __________________ 1990 Bright Red Coupe #608 380 Stroker, Ported Heads/Intake/Housings/TB Haibeck Secondary Delete Chip / Pete's Cams George Braml Intake / FIC Injectors Coated SW Headers / Corsa Bill Boudreau B/B ZF6 / Viper 4.10 gears Ron Davis Radiator Pioneer AVIC-Z140BH NAV Fikse FM5's 285 / 335 / C6 Brakes WAZOO Member

02-21-2017	#8
secondchance Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: McLean, VA Posts: 3,717	Re: Steering rack install 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.

02-21-2017	#3
secondchance Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: McLean, VA Posts: 3,717	Re: Steering rack install Great eyes! I guess so...