How do you change the steering rack on a 1995 Pontiac Firebird?

Answer 1

Job is much easier if you use a lift. Set parking brake and chock rear wheels for safety. Jack up the front of the car and put jack stands under each side. Remove the tire on each side, this gives you more room to work. If working inside, a light would be helpful. On the back side where the tie rod end connects to the wheel remove the cotter pin from the castle nut. You may need to straighten the bent end with pliers before pulling it out. Loosen the castle nut till the threads are almost even with the top of the shaft. There are two ways to break the tie rod end loose. Take a hammer and give it a few good hits. Make sure the nut is high enough so you are not hitting the shaft, that could damage the threads. If the hammer won't break it loose, you can rent or buy a tool that is called a pickle fork, it will pry the shaft loose. Some parts stores will rent you one a a very low cost. Next you need to put a container under the place where the lines from the steering pump connect to the rack, follow the lines to see which ones need to be removed, typically there are four lines but only two need to be removed. The first line you loosen may not cause the fluid to leak into the container but once the second line is broke loose the fluid will start to flow. Once the fluid has drained out you can remove the two large mounting bolts, these bolts mount the rack to the frame. One on each side. There will be a nut on the back side that you will need to hold with a wrench while turning the bolt from the bottom. Once the two bolts are removed you can take a small pry bar and pry the rack free from the frame at the area where the bolts were removed.