Cadillac 26044821 Gear Kit,Steering (Partial)(Remanufacture)

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To remove the rack and pinion assembly from the car, start by removing the outer tie rods from the inner tie rods. Then, remove the rubber boot seals and slide off the shock dampener ring from the inner tie rod housing. While holding the rack with a wrench, turn the tie rod pivot housing counterclockwise to separate the inner tie rod assembly from the rack. Remove the adjuster plug locknut and turn the adjuster plug counterclockwise to separate it from the housing. Remove the rack bearing spring and rack bearing. Pierce the pinion seal and pry it out. Use internal snap-ring pliers to remove the pinion retaining ring. Support the pinion shaft in a vise and tap on the housing until the pinion shaft separates from the housing. Visually examine the pinion roller bearing and replace if damaged. Remove the rack bushing retaining ring and use a puller to remove the rack bushing. Disconnect the rubber grommets from the housing. Clean all metal parts in solvent and inspect for wear or damage. Replace the pinion seal if necessary. To reassemble, install the rubber grommets onto the housing and press the bushing into the housing. Install the rack bushing retaining ring and press the new roller bearing into the housing. Apply grease to the rack teeth and slide it into the housing. Position the rack and insert the pinion shaft into its bore. Install the pinion shaft retaining ring and fill the pinion shaft cavity with grease. Tap the new pinion seal into place and install the rack bearing and spring. Install the adjuster plug and adjust the pinion torque. Install the adjuster plug locknut and torque it to specs. Install the inner tie rod onto the rack and torque the tie rod pivot housing. Stake both sides of the pivot housing and slide the shock dampener ring over the inner tie rod housing. Finally, install the rubber boot seals and outer tie rods before installing the rack and pinion assembly back into the car.

To remove and reinstall the rack and pinion assembly in a car, begin by removing the assembly and separating the outer tie rods from the inner tie rods. Then, remove the rubber boot seals and slide off the shock dampener ring from the inner tie rod housing. To separate the inner tie rod assembly from the rack, hold the rack with a wrench and turn the tie rod pivot housing counterclockwise. Next, remove the adjuster plug lock nut and turn the adjuster plug counterclockwise until it separates from the housing. Remove the rack bearing spring and rack bearing, followed by the retaining ring from the pinion shaft and the dust cover from the bottom of the pinion housing. Use a ratchet wrench to secure the upper end of the pinion shaft and remove the lock nut from the lower end of the shaft. Use an arbor press to press the threaded end of the pinion shaft flush with the ball bearing assembly. Remove the stub shaft dust seal, stub shaft seal, and the needle bearing assembly. Align the ends of the rack equally from the housing, mark the pinion to the housing position, and press the pinion shaft out of the housing. Remove the retaining ring and valve body rings from the shaft and use a brass hammer to drive the rack assembly out of the housing. Remove the bulkhead retaining ring, inner and outer bulkheads, and related parts, then remove the piston ring from the rack. Using a suitable tool, tap the inner rack seal out of the housing. Inspect the parts for wear or damage, and replace as necessary. Reassemble the components, ensuring proper sealing, alignment, and torque specifications are met, and lubricate with power steering fluid as needed. Finally, install the rack and pinion assembly back into the car.

To replace a rack and pinion assembly, start by prying back the plastic cover over the intermediate shaft to expose the U-joint. Then, loosen the locking bolt and nut that hold the joint to the steering shaft. Next, raise the front of the car and support it on jackstands, and remove both front wheels. Disconnect the tie rods from the steering knuckles and, on power steering units, disconnect the pressure pipe and return hose from the rack and pinion housing. Lift the rubber boot covering the U-joint and insert a screwdriver to hold it out of the way. Remove the bolt that secures the intermediate shaft to the pinion shaft, and remove the nuts from the rack and pinion mounting studs. Take off the U-brackets and cross-bracket from the mounting studs. Carefully remove the rack and pinion, along with the tie rods, from the left side of the car, being cautious not to damage the emergency brake cable, fuel inlet line, or mounting stud threads. Remove the rear support brackets from the mounting studs. If necessary, repair options include buying a new rack and pinion assembly, having it rebuilt at a shop, finding one in a junkyard, or rebuilding it yourself. Install the right rear support bracket over the mounting studs, then insert the rack and pinion into its cavity, positioning it over the top and to the rear of the emergency brake cable. Install the left rear support bracket on its mounting studs, and align the pinion shaft with the intermediate shaft U-joint. Insert the pinion into the U-joint and loosely install the bolt. Install the U-brackets and loosely install the lower mounting nuts, followed by the cross-bracket and upper mounting nuts. Tighten the mounting nuts evenly and torque to specifications. On power steering units, ensure the O-ring is in place on the pressure pipe and install it to the adapter, then install the return hose to its fitting. Torque the U-joint bolt, remove the screwdriver from the intermediate shaft to allow the rubber boot to cover the U-joint, and install the tie rods into the steering knuckles. Finally, install the wheels, lower the car, tighten the U-joint bolt between the steering column and intermediate shaft, and torque to specifications. Bleed the power steering system if necessary, and if the outer tie rods were removed, perform a front end alignment.