Tricks to swapping out steering rack?

Topic: Tricks to swapping out steering rack? (Read 8699 times) previous topic - next topic

Tricks to swapping out steering rack?

February 03, 2011, 01:48:09 PM

I am thinking about swapping the steering rack form my TC into the Cougar. It looks easy enough to take out of the TC because it doesn't have an engine in it but is there any tricks to getting it out with an engine in? Doesn't look like there is too much room. Also, do I separate it by removing the bolt circled on the pic below? Does it just slide out after removing that and the two 18mm nuts? I will probably remove the alternator and power steering on the Cougar to have better access when I got to that part of the job. Any advice is helpful, thanks!

Tricks to swapping out steering rack?

Reply #1 – February 03, 2011, 02:11:34 PM

That's pretty much it. It may not "just slide out" of the coupler @ the column, but it should work out easy enough once the cinch bolt is out. Obviously you need to remove the tie rods from the spindles as well.

If the current rack in the Cougar is not a 15:1 rack, you need to update the PS pump in the car to match the TC rack.

Tricks to swapping out steering rack?

Reply #2 – February 03, 2011, 02:15:35 PM

Thanks for the quick answer Chuck. I do have a tie rod separator since I just got done swapping the spindles for 11" brakes. The rack in the Cougar is a 20:1 but the pump is from the XR7 I got the engine from so I would assume it is a 15:1 pump.

Tricks to swapping out steering rack?

Reply #3 – February 03, 2011, 04:50:36 PM

Great Thread..... will the rack come out of 88 Sport without lifting the motor???? going to do a replacement this weekend while doing a complete Front Energy Suspension bushing install and new struts.... also using a FMS a/c delete kit and moving the p/s pump up.....

Tricks to swapping out steering rack?

Reply #4 – February 03, 2011, 05:08:11 PM

Quote from: Chuck W;351710

That's pretty much it. It may not "just slide out" of the coupler @ the column, but it should work out easy enough once the cinch bolt is out. Obviously you need to remove the tie rods from the spindles as well.

If the current rack in the Cougar is not a 15:1 rack, you need to update the PS pump in the car to match the TC rack.

why is this? I have no issues with the way my silver tc is set up and I am using a pump from my 79 cougar with a steering box and the 15:1 rack.

Tricks to swapping out steering rack?

Reply #5 – February 03, 2011, 05:35:24 PM

The TC rack is out. It wasn't very difficult but took some prying to get it to come off the bushings.

Tricks to swapping out steering rack?

Reply #6 – February 03, 2011, 07:35:10 PM

If you look at the top knuckle there is a one bolt that holds it to the column at the firewall.

Tricks to swapping out steering rack?

Reply #7 – February 03, 2011, 08:35:34 PM

Unbolting it at the top knuckle won't work because the round part just above the circled bolt is just a little too big to pass through the opening under the motor mount.

Tricks to swapping out steering rack?

Reply #8 – February 03, 2011, 08:57:50 PM

but you can pull the whole shaft out of the column

Tricks to swapping out steering rack?

Reply #9 – February 03, 2011, 09:13:53 PM

I guess I am not following what you are saying, but am definitely willing to try things to make this job easier. Can you explain how pulling the shaft out of the column would be beneficial in this situation?

Tricks to swapping out steering rack?

Reply #10 – February 03, 2011, 10:17:30 PM

You can get to the bolt you have circled in the picture with a short socket, wobble or knuckle joint (what ever its called), and a 6" or 12" extension (been a while). I use all 3/8" drive stuff to this point but use a 3/8" to 1/2" adapter on the rachet end of the extension so I can use a 1/2" drive rachet. More lever arm and less work for me as this bolt is usually a bit tough to break loose.

Just remember to get new teflon washers for the high and low pressure hoses where they connect to the rack. I do all of this from under the car with the exception of separating the outer tie-rods from the spindles.

Darren

Tricks to swapping out steering rack?

Reply #11 – February 03, 2011, 10:29:57 PM

Thanks for the response. I actually got the circled bolt out with just a long extension (I do have the alt and PS pump out though.) It didn't put up much of a fight. I took the rack out of the TC without undoing the lines from the rack side and was hoping to do the same for the Cougar rack but if I do end up taking them off there I will be sure to get the teflon washers. I will probably get this done tomorrow morning. I will take pics and update this thread then.

Tricks to swapping out steering rack?

Reply #12 – February 03, 2011, 10:33:51 PM

sorry was thinking your were also changing the column.

Tricks to swapping out steering rack?

Reply #13 – February 04, 2011, 04:44:22 PM

No prob SirChirpAlot, I appreciate the effort to assist.

I just finished removing the Cougar rack and putting in the TC one. No real problems but prying the rusty splined shaft out of the rack was the hardest part. There wasn't a good place for leverage but I got it out eventually. Pics and details coming later on.

Tricks to swapping out steering rack?

Reply #14 – February 05, 2011, 04:15:49 AM

When I took the old leaky rack out of mine, I had to use a rubber hammer and tap on it pretty good, I also squirted a couple shots of something like liquid wrench onto it.

My engine is out though, so that made it easier for me.

As for the pump being matched to the rack, the slower pump will lock up under hard and sudden cornering when used with a quicker ratio rack. I've read it one some other Ford forums as well, so I'd at least have to say it's possible.