GMC 7817528 Rack Kit, Piston & Nut Assembly

To remove the rack and pinion, raise the front of the vehicle and support it securely on jackstands. Place a drain pan under the rack and pinion and disconnect the hose fittings, capping the ends to prevent fluid loss and contamination. Slide the plastic shield up the intermediate shaft and mark the relationship of the lower universal joint to the rack and pinion input shaft. Remove the intermediate shaft lower pinch bolt. Mark the relationship of the Pitman arm to the shaft and remove the Pitman arm with a two-jaw puller. Support the rack and pinion, remove the mounting bolts, lower the unit, separate the intermediate shaft from the rack and pinion input shaft, and remove the rack and pinion from the vehicle. To install the rack and pinion, raise it into position and connect the intermediate shaft, aligning the marks. Install the mounting bolts and washers, tighten them to the specified torque. Slide the Pitman arm onto the shaft, aligning the marks, and install the washer and nut, tightening the nut to the specified torque. Install the lower intermediate shaft pinch bolt and tighten it to the specified torque. Install the adapter, nut, and washer for manual steering. Slide the plastic shield back down over the universal joint/flexible coupling. Connect the power steering hose fittings to the rack and pinion and fill the power steering pump reservoir with the recommended fluid. Lower the vehicle and bleed the steering system.

To remove the rack and pinion, start by raising the front of the vehicle and supporting it securely on jackstands. Disconnect the power steering hose fittings and cap the ends to prevent fluid loss and contamination. Pry apart the U-joint plastic shield and remove it, marking the relationship of the intermediate shaft lower universal joint to the rack and pinion input shaft. Remove the intermediate shaft lower pinch bolt and disconnect the Pitman arm from the relay rod. Support the rack and pinion, remove the mounting bolts, and lower the unit. Separate the intermediate shaft from the rack and pinion input shaft and remove the rack and pinion from the vehicle. To install the rack and pinion, slide the Pitman arm onto the shaft, aligning the marks, and tighten the nut to the proper torque. Raise the rack and pinion and Pitman arm into position, connecting the intermediate shaft and aligning the marks. Install the mounting bolts and tighten them to the correct torque specifications. Install the lower intermediate shaft pinch bolt and the plastic shield. Connect the power steering hose fittings and fill the power steering pump reservoir with the recommended fluid. Finally, lower the vehicle and bleed the steering system.

The rack and pinion mounting bolts should be removed and the assembly should be slid out.

To remove the steering gear, raise the front of the vehicle and support it securely on jackstands. Place a drain pan under the steering gear and disconnect the hose fittings, capping the ends to prevent fluid loss and contamination. Slide the plastic shield up the intermediate shaft and mark the relationship of the lower universal joint to the steering gear input shaft. Remove the intermediate shaft lower pinch bolt. Mark the relationship of the Pitman arm to the shaft and remove the Pitman arm with a two-jaw puller. Support the steering gear, remove the mounting bolts, lower the unit, separate the intermediate shaft from the steering gear input shaft, and remove the steering gear from the vehicle.

To install the steering gear, slide the Pitman arm onto the shaft, aligning the marks, and tighten the nut to the proper torque. Raise the steering gear and Pitman arm into position, connecting the intermediate shaft and aligning the marks. Install the mounting bolts and tighten them to the correct torque specifications. Install the lower intermediate shaft pinch bolt and the plastic shield. Connect the power steering hose fittings and fill the power steering pump reservoir with the recommended fluid. Finally, lower the vehicle and bleed the steering system.

Start by raising the front of the vehicle and supporting it securely on jackstands. Disconnect the power steering hose fittings and cap the ends to prevent fluid loss and contamination. Pry apart the U-joint plastic shield and remove it, marking the relationship of the intermediate shaft lower universal joint to the steering gear input shaft. Remove the intermediate shaft lower pinch bolt and disconnect the Pitman arm from the relay rod. Support the steering gear, remove the mounting bolts, and lower the unit. Separate the intermediate shaft from the steering gear input shaft and remove the steering gear from the vehicle.

To install the steering gear, slide the Pitman arm onto the shaft, aligning the marks, and tighten the nut to the proper torque. Raise the steering gear and Pitman arm into position, connecting the intermediate shaft and aligning the marks. Install the mounting bolts and tighten them to the correct torque specifications. Install the lower intermediate shaft pinch bolt and the plastic shield. Connect the power steering hose fittings and fill the power steering pump reservoir with the recommended fluid. Finally, lower the vehicle and bleed the steering system.