Ok so my outer tie rods and sway bar links are shot on my 05 VZ Calais. I should probably do the inner ones as well seeings they've never been done. So if i have to pull me whole rack out to do that, does anyone know what bushes/seals I should replace on my steering rack? And advice on whats the best brand to go for? BTW The advice I've got on this page over the yrs has been invaluable and I appreciate it!!
Why would you have to pull your rack out do that? Can't recommend a brand but I've been okay even with the cheap Road Safe branded stuff.
No inner tie rod ends with rack and pinion steering Seals...Is it dropping fluid from the rack? If so, I'd leave trying to do them yourself, seeing you are a novice mechanic and get another rack which isn't leaking fluid
No, they just screw out. If that was the case nobody would even pay to do it. Get new rack boots too, don't reuse the old ones.
OP would have meant the Rack Ends when he mentioned doing the inner ones He just referred to the part by the wrong name
Just be aware that 2 different steering racks were used on the VZ's The rack end and tie rod end threads are different sizes between the 2 brands of steering rack One was a KYB Rack and I can't remember the name of the other brand so I will just refer to it as a Non KYB Rack This is the info that I have in regards to their size and fitment.... Non KYB Steering Rack Rack End is 330mm long Rack End thread is 14 x 1.5 Tie Rod End thread is 16 x 2.0 Suits up to Chassis Number 6L838608 KYB Steering Rack Rack End is 315mm long Rack End thread is 20 x 1.5 Tie Rod End thread is 14 x 1.5 Suits from Chassis Number 6L838609 onwards
And to state the obvious, get a wheel alignment after you do it all. As for bushes to look to replace, standard response is always the Z-bar/radius rod bushes, strut top bushes/bearings if you're changing shock absorbers. Wheel alignment after you replace everything.
Yes thanks alot very helpful! And yes i wanted to avoid two wheel alignments finding out me "rack ends" are f'd coz i wont really know until i disengage the tie rods from the control arm and theyre not that expensive. Good advice tonner ill check that And yes i am a bit of a rookie lol ill wear that but i got stitched up royally by a dodgy mechanic a while ago and swore a blood oath to look after me own car meself and so far i havent found something i cant do with the advice i find on here, youtube and my haynes manual. And i dont charge a hundred bucks an hour! Thanks again
