Steering Rack Removal

[Davezj]

Well it has been coming for a while now and i started it today.

manual says

Drain Power steering fluid. Not done yet will let it drain when the rack is ready to come out.

Remove down pipes. DONE!!!

Remove center member. DONE!!!

Remove Stabliser Bar (read anti roll bar). I don't see how this helps. It runs under the crossmember and does not get in the way of aything. NOT DONE!

Remove Rack.

HOW?

(see power steering hose diagram below for item numbers)

the only way i see the rack coming out is through the wheel arch. but i have been told that the crossmember has to be dropped a bit to allow the extraction through the arch.

I think it is going to be a bit of a problem disconnecting the feed pipe (item 4)to the rack as it need to be unbolted and it is fixed/cliped/bolted to the crossmember as well, it is tight in there.

the return hose is a spring clip so should be dooable (item 8).

i think i will be needing a a replacement of the fat flex high pressure hose (item 2) for the power steering as well, the one that goes from top of the engine bay to the bottom down the back of the enginge, where it links to the bent metal pipe (item 4) that goes in tot the rack itself. if any one has one i will take it.



Any ideas on how to get the rack out with out dropping the crossmember?

Cheers Dave

[Subaru ETA]

you just need to lower the back of it. take the rear bolts out of the corssmember and just losen the front ones. this will lower if enough to get the rack out the R/H wheel arch.

with the anti roll bar i think i just undid the mounts and let it swing on the links.

dont forget to undo it from the steering shaft inside the cabin and mark it

[Davezj]

cheers mate,
i kind of thought that was the way to go.
but it is very nice to have it confirmed.
it all sound so esay the way you have described it as well.
i hope it is.
what axle stand points did you use, as the convenient ones on the crossmember can not be used now for obvious reasons.

cheers dave

[Fully]

Use the rigid side notches were you lift the car on a lift. Use a piece of rubber to stop any damage.

[Davezj]

we i have managed to get the rack out eventually.

but i do think i will need to replace the flex high pressure hose.

so i am in to minds whether to put the new rack in or wait for a hose asit would be easier to replace the hose with the rack out.

i think i will post a wanted thread.

[Subaru ETA]

good to hear you got it out...o yea i was doing it a hoist so made it 100 times easier!