| From | Message |
jb
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
6/23/2005
10:37:46
|
 Subject: steering rack replacement question
IP: Logged
Message:
Does anyone know what the torque spec is on the bolts that hold the rack to the frame and also the steering shaft to the rack?
I think i need to replace my rack, it makes a nice poping noise now when turning lock to lock. It seems to be coming from inside the unit itself. Im hoping it also fixed my clunk and bump steer problems.
Thanks in advance.
|
Armin
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
6/23/2005
12:38:00
|  RE: steering rack replacement question
IP: Logged
Message:
According to Haynes for 97-99:
190 ft/lb for 2WD '97-'98
170 ft/lb 2WD '99
36 ft/lb for steering shaft-to-pinion pinch bolt
65 ft/lb for tie-rod end nuts
The first two torques are for the big rack-to-crossmember bolts. The 4WD is different; it uses the recirculating-ball steering gear with a pitman/idler arm. Let me know if you need those torques.
Before you change the R/P, did you check if the ball joint recall affects your vehicle? Did you check for play in the wheel bearings, ball joints or other steering/suspension components with the front-end on jacks?
I have looseness and feedback in my steering wheel and I also suspect the R/P. I traced the play in the steering column down to a small amount of free rotation at the input of the R/P. I don't know, however, if this free play is enough to warrant replacement of my R/P.
Good luck and let me know how yours turns out.
|
jb
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
6/23/2005
22:47:11
| RE: steering rack replacement question
IP: Logged
Message:
thanks Armin, i should have posted my truck is an 02 4wd. The newer 4x4's like mine have a rack. I wish it had recirc ball... I would bet though those torque values are pretty close.
Yea i have checked the whole thing over, bearings are good. Ball joints are new moogs, intermediate shaft is new, etc. Everything feels nice and tight. thats why i think its the rack, the noise and the new shimmy lead me down that road.
|
Armin
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
6/24/2005
11:55:14
| RE: steering rack replacement question
IP: Logged
Message:
Yeah, the torques for your '02 4x4 are probably pretty close. Sorry I don't have specs for 02s in my book. As long as you have the two big bolts holding the rack to the crossmember it's probably close enough. The 97-99 4x4 has several smaller bolts which would take less torque.
I wonder if the rack-and-pinion wears out more on trucks. My last truck was a Jeep Commanche and it had the ball gear and pitman arm and never had this problem even after 90K miles. I suppose if the problem is enough to bother you and you're willing to spend the time and expense, it's worth fixing.
I priced a new rack for my 97 2wd at Autozone and O'Reilly's .coms and it shows a cost of about 150 with a core value of about 120. Seems too good to be true doesn't it?
Let me know how the job goes.
|
John K
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
6/24/2005
12:41:07
| RE: steering rack replacement question
IP: Logged
Message:
I replaced R&P on my 2000 4x4 a while ago. The 36 and 65 numbers are correct, but I can't recall the 2 crossmember bolts, 170 or 190. I can find out for sure when I get home in a few hrs. Anyway, the value was more than my torque wrench max, and the front diff was in the way for a socket, so I just cranked them as tight as I could with a box wrench and arm-foot leverage. It was a royal b*tch to remove them they were so tight.
|
John K
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
6/24/2005
17:06:06
| RE: steering rack replacement question
IP: Logged
Message:
The 2 crossmember bolts are listed at 170 ft. lbs. for a 2000 4x4 rack & pinion unit.
|
jb
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
6/28/2005
09:09:10
| RE: steering rack replacement question
IP: Logged
Message:
Thanks for the help guys. I got the new one in.
Armin the job itself wasnt that bad. The toughest part was getting the bolts that hold the rack in loose. The rest was easy. I had to drop the sway bar and if you remove the outer rod ends before it comes out of the truck it makes the job a lot easier. Other then that it was pretty straight forward. One thing that suprised me was the old fluid was very burnt smelling, im glad i flushed it out and put in all new. I still have a little clunkyness in the front end but its better then it was. I need and alignment bad now.
|
| | P 1 |
|
Post a reply to this message:
Username Registration: Optional
All visitors are allowed to post messages
|
